Garden Container Ideas and Such

Unique Garden Containers

Way to Grow : Episode WTG-211 -- More Projects »

These unique pots are perfect for a small herb garden. A wheelbarrow with a flat tire can work again as a planter. Used as a planter, an old tire can create some down-home charm.

When gardening with containers, the whole idea is to break away from the traditional planting and gardening locations... so why not break away from traditional containers as well? Here, hosts John Greenlee and Jackie Cicchino share some great ideas for unconventional containers that will add interest and charm to planted beauties.

• Old chimney pots or sections of ceramic or metal pipes make great planters... and take up less space than traditional pots, too. Their elongated shape also provides a great way to introduce height into a group of containers.
• When a metal mop bucket springs a leak, just bring it out of the kitchen and give it a second life as a plant's new home. Simply drill holes in the base to provide adequate drainage (leak holes are rarely sufficient for this purpose).
• A kitchen crock with a broken lid is another ideal candidate for a unique planter. Before placing a plant in the crock, drill two 3/8" holes in the base. (Tall crocks make ideal planters for roses - without elevation, roses' low-growing stems make it difficult for passers-by to enjoy the wonderful fragrance of the blooms.)
• Discarded porcelain sinks make perfect planters for large plant varieties. To give a porcelain sink the look of stone, simply clean it, coat it with a bonding adhesive and apply a roughened layer of cement, sand and peat mixed with water.
• Cut wine and beer barrels in half to create charming planters for large, colorful mixes of blooms.
• Giant seashells can be transformed into planters for low-growing plants that don't require a deep root run. (Some shells even have holes close to their lowest point, eliminating the need for creating a new drainage opening.) The only drawback to large seashell planters is their great weight - two people can barely lift one of these.

I told you how anything can be a container garden, here’s more proof. Here are a couple unique garden containers at my local garden center today.

Here’s a bicycle container garden.

And here’s your kitchen chair in the garden. Just cut out the seat and add a planter.

A video of the new veggie garden

Beth and I really worked our tails off this weekend. Incredibly we amended our soil and began to plant a ton of vegetables in our little enie weine garden area. We also pulled out some root bound plants from the front - and shoved them into the back - lol - lastly beth put in annuals in all of the open spots. Our new favorite thing... empanadas at the public market...mmmmm. We went with lani this morning, and had fun together. Later this afternoon we made it out to Janet and Lynns together. We spent time watching for the baltimore oriole, plopped down on chairs on the deck. They have lettuce in planters how cool is that ! The orioles came nibbling on grape jelly and orange slices, it was a delight. We both left there really relaxed, just both feeling like we had a great time.
On our way home... we actually came to a bit of a consensus about our next house... we both noticed how completely relaxed we felt and how when we're at janet and lynns it's almost like being at camp. This feeling of us being able to let everything go and want to entertain. While we enjoy the house, we love the outside and getting to just be one with nature : )
I could imagine us having a modest house, with a wonderful yard, bird houses, fire pit, pool etc... and then we'd invite friends to stay for the weekend. I mean how cool would that be !
we agreed that there would not be any sour faces upon the visit of a farm house - as long as my credit continues to raise... I of course will continue to work on this.
nice weekend - we had fun together : 0