Creative Garden Containers and Funky Junk Planters!
Guerrilla Garden Non-Rule #2 – Think outside of the box when it comes to containers!
Most Guerrilla Gardeners tend to think outside of the box when it comes to garden containers and I’ve discovered that PINTEREST RULES when it comes to getting some inspiration for creative garden containers and funky junk planters. By using old file cabinets, wheelbarrows, rubber boots, children’s toys (such as a wagon, toy truck, doll buggy or stroller),or even an old toilet, barbeque or washer machine it can help to stretch the gardening budget, saves another item from going to a landfill site and it can really help to make a statement in your garden.
And if the neighbors don’t get it……well that’s just too bad!
Guerrilla Garden Non-Rule #1 – It’s your garden! Do what you want!
Brighten up your porch, deck, or patio . . . Give that tree that nothing will grow under a colorful companion . . . Gather up your junk, plant ’em up, and feel good about the fact that you are making the world a little greener in more ways than one.
A few tips to keep in mind when planting up creative containers or funky junk:
• Drainage is an important consideration when deciding on an unusual container. If possible drill holes in the bottom of container if it doesn’t already have some.
• Remember that containers need to be watered and fertilized more frequently. If this just seems like too much maintenance for you then just plant them up with some drought resistant sedum.
• It’s more effective to limit it to two or three types of plants or if in a small container just stick to one type of plant.
Ever since I joined Pinterest a few years ago it seems that I have been “Pinterest Inspired!” to recycle an old radio, shoes and purses into unique drought resistant sedum planters…….
but this year I also had the opportunity to successfully transform an old wrought iron vanity chair from my childhood into a beautiful vintage planter. I added some geraniums and some ivy and it turned out great! As a matter of fact I think this “Pinteresting Chair Planter Project” could be easily done by anyone with an old chair and here’s how to do it:
-First you will need an old wooden or wrought iron chair that has a seat that pushes out when you loosen the screws. This is where the flowers will be growing. (Or you could cut a hole in the seat of an old wooden chair if you are handy with power tools)
-If you want to (or have time) you can paint the chair using outdoor paint. If you don’t have time or just don’t feel like it let people know that you’re going for that rustic look. F.Y.I.-“Vintage” is definitely the look I’m going for with my “Pinteresting Chair Planter Project”
-If using a wrought iron chair (like I am) then attach a wire framed basket where the seat used to be with wire. Line the inside of the wire basket with a double layer of chicken wire in a bowl shape. If you have a wooden chair then just use a heavy duty staple gun to attach a double layer of chicken wire bent into a bowl shape to a wooden chair where the seat used to be.
-Then line the chicken wire with a good layer of pre-soaked sphagnum moss as this will be needed to stop the soil falling through the wire.
-Once moss in place, sit a plant pot saucer or small shallow dish on top of it to retain a little of the water and stop it dripping through quite so much. Then fill your moss lined chicken wire with soil or compost and add your plants.
Choosing Plants:
Plants for shady areas -Impatiens, Pansies, Fuchsias, Coleus or Begonias
Plants for sunny locations – Geraniums, Petunias, Ostosperum
Planting some climbing or trailing plants such as knee high sweet peas near the back of the seat so they will climb up the backrest will give added dimension to the chair planter. Also you could add a couple of variegated ivies or other trailing plants so that they trail down around the seat. This is what I did when creating my “vintage” chair planter.
I know what you’re thinking…..so what does the finished “Pinteresting Chair Planter Project” look like…….
