Which plant will thrive for you in that empty yogurt or cottage cheese container? DIY containers for garden plants are satisfying in many ways.
If you haven’t joined, do so and treat yourself to a download of potential containers which feature some Do-It-Yourself ideas. This handy drill is a new addition to tool collection at the Legacy Gardens. I took a few drills to learn how to run it, but now I’m very happy with the ability to drill holes in my DIY containers.
Repurposing things that are destined for the landfill such as leaky wash tubs or old shoes can give you very unique containers for your plants. The ‘cookie cutter’ pots from the garden centers are marvelous. I confess to having a lot of them. But, they can be easily repetitive through out the neighborhood with little individuality.
Another season for clever trash
Meanwhile, those clever pieces of trash get at least one more season to serve. This year, some old plastic dishpans are getting their chance to carry bulbs and roots over the summer. I’m preparing to move and want to take some of the extras with me to the new garden location.
Your kitchen offers up many container possibilities. I’ve been re-purposing large yogurt, shortening and four-pound cottage cheese containers when they’ve been emptied.
or the dishpans, smaller yogurt, shortening and cottage cheese boxes I’ve used my new ‘favorite’ to, a Swpeet Speedy Hand Drill. The manual drill lets me control drainage holes when I need them. I keep an old knife and scissors in the planting tools to cut different drainage holes.
Labels and what to do with them
Historically, pioneer women nurtured their plants in ‘tin’ cans which contained vegetables and fruit. Leaving the paper label on can create some conversation for as long as it stays in place. Often a season’s watering and rain will fade and loosen a paper label. We can enjoy them for as long as they last.
However, it’s fun to remove the label and paint the can. I had a faithful gallon size olive oil tin that came painted with the brand logos and color. I really liked it and enjoyed it for two seasons before rust wrecked it. You are free to choose your theme each season. Leave the labels on or remove them.
Paint and Paper or tape
One of my favorite projects using decorative tape is the made-over milk jug!
I have painted metal cans that came with coffee or food. I have covered metal and plastic with sticky paper such as Con Tact Paper. The colorful paper stays with your plant’s pot for one season at least. You can create a garden theme for your containers. Covering four-pound cottage cheese containers and shortening containers with Con Tact Paper has been quite successful for me.
I Want to hear about your plans and themes
What are some of the unusual or Do-It-Yourself containers you choose for your plants? Please comment at this post. I would love to know which ideas in the post stimulate your own creativity with containers.
Hey Judy, if you don’t have enough room in your new garden let me know and I’ll help take some of those heirloom seeds and plants off your hands .
Seriously though, I would like to talk about helping keep the family heirloom lines going. We are moving soon as well and I hope to have a nice spot for raised beds. Where are you planning to move to?
Just as a reminder, I am Charlene Wolfe’s neice.
Thanks and have fun packing, I know we are…
Yes, let’s do talk! Most of the flowers and shrubs in my yard are special, but easily replaced. James has some long term shrubs he moves around from state to state. I didn’t have much for trees in Wyoming and found myself rescuing any tree when I moved to Missouri. I was clueless that the darling little oak, cedar and other brush babies could become monsters!