Forget terracotta. There’s more to plant containers than flower pots. Here’s some great container gardening ideas, including ways to find new uses for objects you would normally throw away.
Wooden pallets
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These have endless uses in the garden. But one of my favourite ideas is to repurpose them as vertical planters. You need to prise out some of the planks and nail them back in to create u-shaped planting pockets.
Line them with a permeable membrane and fill with soil and plants. It’s great for city gardens where there is only wall space.
Baskets on the bike
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This is a quirky display. Lush flowering plants are spilling out of baskets and containers mounted on a rusty old bike. The zinc watering can and enamel milk jug add to the vintage style.
Plastic tubs
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These make great free plant pots for herbs and bedding plants. Don’t forget to punch drainage holes in the bottom to stop waterlogging.
Tin cans
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Metal food cans are another good recycled container. But here they have been made to look chic with a lick of metal paint. Designer containers for next to nothing! They are also ideal for small houseplants.
Vertical crate wall
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This is a striking green wall! Wooden crates have been painted in different shades of blue and planted up with striking specimens for a Mediterranean coastal vibe. Aim for a mix of foliage colours and textures for the best effect.
Half barrel
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Put a spin on an old wooden barrel by using it to grow leafy plants. This would also work with salad leaves or other small container crops.
Plastic bottles
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Lay the bottle on its side and use strong scissors to cut out a planting hole. These are great on shelves or they can be attached to a wall or wooden pallet planter. Kids love to make them too!
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Drainpipes and guttering
Create a striking vertical garden for lettuce with old drainpipes and guttering. Add water retaining crystals to the compost to save on watering.
Watering cans
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These cute watering can planters are fun. You can use any open-topped watering can for the same effect. Coat them with metal paint for something colourful.
Wellies and zinc buckets
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Don’t throw out old wellingtons! Put plants in them for extra character in the garden. Zinc is always popular in the garden, and these sweet buckets filled with herbs would look lovely on the dinner table.
Cart
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Old carts are often used as recycled planters and they make a great conversation piece. Check out local car boot sales and reclamation yards for your own quirky garden structures.
Hanging wall display
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Here’s a clever idea to ‘green-up’ a bare wall. Suspend hanging baskets from a wooden planter, and fill everything with trailing varieties for a floral cascade.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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