Brainstorms > GardeningMarch 08, 2007

Here are ideas for reusing items as planters or pots from the ThriftyFun community. Post your own unusual planter ideas below.

Boots For Planters

I have fun imagining how I can use various discarded items as planters. My favorite was a pair of my husband's work boots. Having been owned by a man, these boots were well broken in, and ready for the landfill. I opened them up (you can leave the laces in place), and filled them with soil. I happened to plant chicks 'n hens in them. They are still in my garden biodegrading, and covered with chicks, for who knows how long.

You can cut holes in the toes for additional planting possibilities. I hope to find another pair at garage sales this summer, to paint white. I'll put some allysum in the toes, and vinca vines draped around the cuffs, with maybe red geraniums, or petunias coming out of the top.

Now, if you're familiar with "pack boots" (they are usually constructed of green rubber). These make good substitutes for those long, hanging, plastic planters with holes cut out of the sides for plants with runners (like strawberries, or spider plants), and I've also seen them done with impatients. Just fashion a hanger using the eyelets, cut some slits in the sides, and toes, and fill with dirt. Arrange plants in the slits and tops. Or put the parent plant in the top, and open the slits up for the anticipated runners. Voila!

By Catchdmc

Cooking Pots Or Kettles

I use old large cooking pots or tea kettles as planters. An elderly aunt of mine died last year, and I inherited some of them. They are too grungey to cook with but perfect for annuals on my porch.

By admin

Toys, Kitchenware and Baskets

Child's plastic sandpail (String the plastic shovel through the handle.), a little red wagon, Easter basket, vintage coffee pot, an old ringer washer, an old hiking boot, an empty restaurant size can of fruits/vegetables, a basket, a child's toy dump truck, an old washtub, a canoe, a "old-time" wooden tool box, a mailbox, rain boots.

By Arwest

Cat Litter Buckets As Planters

I own 2 cats and go through a lot of cat litter. I always buy the litter in the plastic buckets. Once they are empty, I drill drainage holes in the bottom, slap a little paint on the bucket and decorate. Fill with dirt and plant whatever you desire. Right now, I'm growing tomatoes and cucumbers in them. They work great.

By Dunndeanna

Imagination Is The Key

Absolutely everything can be used as a planter, using your "imagination" is the key. Adding the right flower arrangement and bow is the reward. Syd, who can see something recycleable in every piece of discards. My latest was the half-moon hospital spit up dishes, got four. Ideal for dish gardens for hospital or nursing home patients.

By Sydfred

Vegetable Garden in an Old Bathtub

Because my soil is too rocky for a vegetable garden, I have a bathtub salvaged from an old mobile home that I am growing green onions, radishes, lettuce and cucumbers in. I filled it about half full of a mixture of top soil and compost, and planted my seed. I train the cucumber vines to trail over the side of the tub and onto the ground. Last summer, I even had a tomato plant on one end.

Harlean from Arkansas

Old Canners as Planters

I used a couple of old canners (for canning fruit and garden produce) for planters. Mine are blue enamel and have a really nice country style when filled with red geraniums and greenery.

By Ajdutchtown

Bedframe For "Flowerbed"

I've seen an old metal bed frame with a box built into it planted as a "flower bed." It was very nice. The box was built up so it really looked like a mattress of flowers.

By Susan

Coffee Cans As Planters

I have used metal from old coffee cans to line a bowl filled with moss. Orchids look great in them also. You can flatten one side of a coffee can and fasten it to a wall on your porch. This is one idea I've tried, one of my grandmother's handbags was also a gem.

By Michelle

Upside Down Wooden Chair

Hang an old wooden straight back chair upside down and set a potted plant inside the legs. Looks great with trailing plants.

By Penny

Old Car Tire

Try using an old car tire and place it somewhere where a tree can grow up through it or maybe plant a tree in the center of the old tire!

Unusual Finds At Yard Sales

I have been getting pretty creative with yard sale finds. This year I have planted in an old metal lunchbox, old rusty bird cage with a hanging basket inside, boots, antique tractor tool box, and water lilies in an old galvanized tub.

By Carolyn

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