Retire Your Old Planters: An Overlooked Secondhand Find Makes An Elegant Yard Display

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Though traditional terracotta or budget-friendly plastic planters are a great way to grow pretty flowers, fruits, dwarf trees, and vegetables in your yard, they can look a bit boring. So, to spruce up your space, you might be itching to bring in something trendy and character-rich, like an old wine barrel. Not only will this secondhand find make a good home for plants with deep roots, like carrots and tomatoes, but it can also boost your yard's curb appeal. And since they're usually made of chunky oak planks, these repurposed wood pots won't disintegrate anytime soon.

Want to try the idea in your garden this spring? Hop onto Craigslist and Facebook if you're on a tight budget and want the barrels for cheap. If you live near wine distilleries, try reaching out to them directly to score a unit or two at a good price. Some might even give away a few spent ones for free. But if you're having trouble finding one, use a whiskey or beer barrel instead. Once you have it, rub the inside with table salt and sand down its exterior to remove buildup. You can also stain or paint it, though this is optional. 

Decide whether you'll use it in its entirety or cut it in half (or smaller). If you choose the latter option, get a tape measure (or a flexible ruler) and a pencil to draw a line down the middle. Then, wear protective gloves, goggles, and a mask before using a circular saw or jigsaw to cut it in half. When you're satisfied with the result, turn the pieces upside-down and drill ½-inch-wide holes in their bottoms to encourage drainage.

With your barrels prepped and ready to go, the first thing you'll want to do is move them to their earmarked spot in your yard. Don't skip this step because they'll be too heavy to move once they're filled. Also, keep them raised by placing them on old bricks to minimize the risk of wood rot and allow excess water to drain well. Alternatively, install caster wheels, like the Asriniey 4-inch Caster Wheels, if you like moving your planters around. Three or four wheels should be enough to handle the barrel's weight. Just ensure the wheels are slightly taller than the rim of the barrel. Otherwise, the bottom wood portion will still come into contact with the ground and rot over time. Moreover, don't forget to space them evenly apart, so you don't end up with a lopsided planter.

Next, start filling your tall planter. You can either pour in a few bags of your chosen potting mix or line the bottom with 6 to 8 inches of filler. Feel free to drop in pebbles (or garden rocks), thin broken twigs, plastic bottles, pinecones, or crushed cans. Placing an inverted bucket will have a similar outcome. This won't just help you save a little money on soil (which can add up if you plan on repurposing more than one barrel), but you can also move large planters with ease using this genius filler trick. Finally, fill the barrel with the required amount of soil, making sure it's no more than three-quarters full. Water it well, then top it up with more potting mix if needed before adding your plants.