Up-Cycled Containers For Spring Planting, in a word…Glorious! :)

Its that time of year again! What time do you ask? Time to plan your garden, whether it be a small balcony, a massive dozen acres or some potted herbs on your windowsill.

The earth is warming up, between the showers, the sun shines, the last bad frost seems finally behind us and the hope of new life is here.

Whether you are into Zero Waste, Eco Living or just want to keep costs down but still plant some flowers or veg, up-cycling containers are the way to go, particularly if you are stuck for space.

I planted early peas at the weekend in old sink basins, runner beans in egg containers and carrots in 2 litre Milk cartons.

Hanging baskets are not just great for flowers, they are super for growing tasty and tender plants like lettuce and strawberries, high up where hungry slugs can’t get them! 🙂

Old buckets with holes make for great mixed herb or flower containers and can be painted with cheap paint to add a splash of extra colour.

Empty plastic bottles such as 5 litre water bottles have so many uses and the plastic surface makes it difficult for slugs to crawl up them. A few small holes can easily be pierced if necessary for extra drainage.

Don’t throw away your empty tin’s! They too can be used to grow small plugs of plants and flowers or to start off seedlings.

Soda bottles and empty juice bottles can be hung vertically using strong string or garden wire to create a beautiful and edible green wall.

Another alternative is to use a old step ladder as an attractive multilayered display.

Old Shopping tote bags make for handy containers and as a added advantage, can be moved around more easily than other containers. Plus, one less bag choking our oceans wildlife!

You are truly limited only by your imagination: worn handbags, shoes, books, footballs and even cork tops from wine bottles can be repurposed and add wonderful character and personality to your home and garden.

So much work, materials, time and carbon is produced to create modern cooking vessels and when they have come to the end of their working life, isn’t it great to think you are giving them a second life as repurposed planters? They will go on to give years of simple pleasures.

Old tin’s of paint can be used for flowers [I wouldn’t recommend for veg in case of residue from paint still remains in the can] and using garden twine, can be hung from trees and the outside of the cans can even be decorated to add extra flair and interest.

With a bit of ingenuity and inspiration, you can take the concept of creating a edible hanging garden to new heights!

Empty crates that held fruit or other produce can easily be up-cycled to make attractive planters.

I’m going to use a empty wicker hamper basket I won last week to create a planter for violas and nasturtiums, both edible flowers.

For those lucky people with big gardens, a old metal bed frame can be made into a enchanting bed of delicate flowers and greenery, fit for a fairy princess to sleep on! 🙂

Or if you are DIY inclined, you could even make a stunning fountain from a old faded piano, a small pond ad flowers of your choice. It would certainly bring new meaning to the concept of water music!

A old bathtub makes for a gorgeous miniature pond and can be a truly lovely feature of your garden. Over time you may even attract local wild life such as frogs to come live in your up cycled pond.

So take a look around your home and before you throw that old bucket or tin into your recycling bin, think about what you want to grow and have fun creating a garden. A garden, which will truly be one off a kind and bring you nourishment for the soul and the body for the year ahead.

Next Time

I will be going on a journey to rediscover that which lights my soul on fire, that which breathes new life into these worn and weary bones of mine, a place where I shall be both joyfully lost, free and found, a place where I shall find solace…

Until then, goodnight my friends and sweet dreams. xx