No need for just plain plant pots! Here’s how to get super creative in your garden by planting flowers or plants in 140+ different upcycled planters or containers!
140+ unique upcycled garden planters and containers!
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With the sunny spring and summer weather upon is, it’s time to dream about what type of plants to plant.
But equally fun is what kind of plant pots will you use?
Outdoor planters can be anything that holds soil. Add drainage holes where you can, and you’ll end up with an instant and much more creative way to plant flowers or plants for your patio, deck, front porch, flower beds or as indoor planters as well!
So why not prepare early and be on the hunt for chicken feeders, vintage tins, metal buckets and more?
Supplies you’ll need
garden tools
fertile plant pot soil
various plants and flowers
cordless drill or hammer and nails to punch drain holes
something to cover drain holes such as broken clay or rocks
any durable container that holds soil and can endure water
How to prepare an upcycled garden planter
1. Collect interesting contailers of all shapes and sizes for both small and large plants.
Consider the curb, flea markets, garage sales or thrift stores.
2. Consider building your own DIY wooden planters using reclaimed wood like THESE.
3. Make a way for the water to drain away from plant roots.
Create drain hole by drilling holes into the bottoms of containers, or punching them with a hammer and nail. If your container can’t be punctured, layer the bottom with small rocks instead.
4. Cover drainage holes with a layer of small rocks or broken clay.
This will allow water to drain much more easily than just through saturated soil.
5. Fill the container with your favorite potting soil.
A potting soil is best since it’s formulated to drain well inside planters. Watch for built- in fertilizers that can enhance your plants.
6. Remove plants from pots, then gently spread roots apart.
7. Plant inside the soil.
8. Water well by saturating the pot, then allow excess water to drain.
Watering heavily to start will activate any peat moss inside the soil, allowing more water in.
9. Keep the soil slightly damp.
So let’s revisit over 140 unique ideas to use as plant pots for your garden planters this year!
140+ Upcycled garden planters!
Nesting box potting bench with metal planters
Nesting box potting bench with watering can planter
Make a major statement with your upcycle gardening with this creative nesting box potting bench plus metal bucket and vintage watering can containers for plants and flowers!
What a find this was!
Wooden crate planters
Ikea wooden crates as planter crates
If you love to shop at IKEA, consider picking up their small wooden crates to create these charming planter box crates!
Flower and plant stencils as well as different wood stains are shared in this very popular tutorial.
This idea would work for any sized new or old crate.
DIY potting shed sign with rake hooks
Potting shed rake sign with easy potting bench idea
Hang upcycled plant pots from a charming DIY Potting Shed sign using an old rake as hooks! Great for hanging your garden tools as well.
But this round, don’t fight the plain clay pot look. Group clay pots in various shapes and sizes to create this delightful cluster! Perfect for patio planters as well.
Scrap wood window box planters
DIY window box planters with scrap wood
Whether you desire raised planters or window boxes, this tutorial shares how to build and install them on a garden shed. Be sure to visit the post to see the larger one too!
Oversized tulip tray flower bed riser
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Oversized tulip tray flower bed planter
To help bring life to an otherwise flat flower bed, try this oversized tulip tray flower bed! Made with scrap wood, you can whip it up for free!
Raised flower beds are also perfect for tall outdoor planters.
Old vintage kettle and pot planters
Create a charming kettle rock garden by grouping together like-minded kettles. They are divine filled with succulents or small flowers! But don’t forget the rocks!
Old kettle herb garden – Funky Junk Interiors
A collection of quirky old kettles, perfect for indoor plants, are prettied right up planted with herbs making an idea kitchen garden. I really enjoyed moving this little group around to different locations just for fun!
Build your own toolbox planter with scrap wood
Branch handled toolbox garden planters
Create charming outdoor plant pots by building a charming toolbox planter from scrap wood! They are SO easy to make, and the added branch handle adds such a perfect touch of nature.
Clay pots decorated like vintage crocks
Vintage crock look flower pots
Have any plain clay pots on hand? Here’s how to change the look to resemble a vintage crock using stencils! This tutorial also shares a special texture technique so you can cover up any plant pot or concrete planter to get an old world charm look!
Find Vintage Crock Pot stencil from HERE
Bike basket planter
French Country Cottage – Old bicycle flower planter
Who doesn’t love the framework from an old bike? Well, this one just got better with a bike basket loaded with toppled over fresh cut lilacs. Gorgeous! I love these kinds of ‘planters’ because it’s an easy move when you need to mow the lawn. Easy is good.
Tool box organizer planters
Chipping with Charm – tool box flower planters
Laurel stacks some tool boxes filled with annuals to brighten up a little spot in the yard. I think this idea is darling and is a great way for added height to a space during the summer months.
Chicken feed flower planter
Snowflakes and Dragonflies – chicken feed flower planter
A sweet old rusty chicken feeder has never looked so good, filled to the brim with violas. So pretty for most any foliage that’s small in size.
Umbrella door wreath
Eclectically Vintage – Umbrella flower wreath
Kelly’s fresh take on a front door wreath using an umbrella for a flower vase sure chimes in well with April showers! The umbrella containing water is genius! Especially for an outdoor space.
More plant pots
Upcycled styled planters on HomeTalk
The amazing HomeTalk community comes to the rescue once again with never ending upcycled garden container inspiration. You’ll love this collection!
I also have a post showcasing many upcycled features in my own garden on HomeTalk HERE.
You can follow my own HomeTalk ramblings HERE.
Check out these repurposed junk vases HERE
Visit many other unique outdoor projects to make HERE
Visit 140+ more upcycled garden ideas below!
You have spring fever girl! Alas, I won’t be planting for another 3 months, but can’t wait to see all of the ideas!
Looove the kettles, Donna!! I need to do a few of those too 🙂 Thanks for hosting us!
xoxo, Andrea
Thanks for hosting this fun party Donna.
Blessings,
Linda
Searching for a vintage bike!
Thanks for sharing my umbrella wreath – can’t wait for spring showers!
And Barb has the most amazing clipboards and projects on Hometalk!
Kelly
Oh, how I wish Spring would get here soon….it’s gonna be a miserable blustery weekend here! I am curious how I can find out what your theme is going to be each week. It just always says “to be announced” so I haven’t known for a while. Thanks.
I appreciate you allowing me to share my post on my latest collection….like I need anymore!
xoxo
Kathleen
The projects are rolling in. Fun to see all that everyone’s been up to. Thanks, Donna, for making the party happen once again.
Liz
Lovin the look of spring! Thanks for graciously hosting 🙂
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
I am in NEED of Spring! We have had a taste of it here in TN. . . just a couple of warmer days here and there. Just enough to make me despise the winter weather all the more! I can’t wait to start getting in my garden and seeing some green! Thanks for hosting! Life to the full, Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle
There are so many awesome links here, I’m going to be busy for a while! Wow! And your features…so much fun tonight!
Thanks for hosting
Debbie 🙂
So ready for spring! Love the inspiration!! Thanks so much for hosting. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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So many wonderful ideas, can’t wait for Spring time to arrive! Thanks for hosting!
I love them all! The umbrella planter is so much fun! Look forward to SNS every week. Great inspiration.
Thank you so much for hosting Donna! Love this theme of junk garden containers…so beautiful! Wishing you a lovely weekend! Angie xo
What a nice surprise to come by to link up and see my vintage bicycle!! Thank you so much for the feature Donna! I actually pulled that bike out to take a few photos of it today too 😉 Thanks for hosting~ hope you have a fantastic weekend!! xoxo (typos make me crazy-posting again) 🙂
I’m sure missing the gardening space I had in my previous home :/ Oh well, someday, right? In the meantime I never get tired of seeing all the cool gardening stuff everyone else is up to! I just linked up my cloche in home decor. Thanks for hosting, Donna! Have a good weekend.
Jeanette
I love all the ideas for planters and it makes me ache for spring and flowers…not snow! Thanks for the party!
Thank you so much for hosting Donna!! I love all of the gorgeous Spring inspiration, happy weekend 🙂
xo, Tanya
twelveOeight
Thanks sooo much for the party Donna! Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much for hosting! I love the theme this week and can’t wait to see all the great ideas posted here!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks for featuring my tool bin planters Donna!! My husband actually bought those to use in his garage..imagine that?? I think they are “living” a much better life all pretty on my porch 🙂 LOVE the theme…can’t wait to peek around for some Spring inspiration!! Laurel
If it will hold dirt I will put a plant in it!!
Love the different planters!
Thanks for the party. I’m hosting my Homemaking Linkup Weekend and would love to have you join, if you haven’t already!
Blessings,
Mrs. Sarah Coller
Fun planter ideas, Donna! Thanks for hosting!…hugs…Debbie
There are always so-o-o-o many great projects and ideas to browse @ your parties, Donna…thank you for hosting!
The garden planters are all so beautiful…can’t wait for spring to start up around here! Thanks for hosting another party Donna – I always find awesome ideas here!
i love it all…gets me in the mood to go out, find
a piece of junk and plant some beautiful flowers…spring fever..
thanks for all the inspiration…Corinne
They’re all great, but really love the umbrella wreath. Gives me an idea….
Tickled pink that you included my Pretty Planters collection from Hometalk in this blog post, Donna! Thanks so much : )
Barb Rosen
Thank you for hosting Donna… love the theme this week… so many cute idea! Little Bit from http://www.DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
Thank you for hosting this party each week. I’ve got some spring ideas to try…as soon as the snow melts!!
Thanks for hosting Donna! Love the selection of planters….