12 Things You Can Repurpose as Garden Planters

When I started working on my farmhouse garden shed, I imagined it surrounded by many garden planters, something full of life.

But I quickly ran into a familiar problem: everything “aesthetic” or “trending” came with a price tag. The gardening world online seemed obsessed with expensive raised beds that looked more like boutique displays.

My vision of a farmhouse garden was real, but my budget? Not so much. That’s when I leaned into what I could do. I began repurposing old containers, 5-gallon paint buckets, yogurt cups, coffee tins, even discarded shelving from work.

I transformed a cracked storage bin into a deep garden planter for my tomatoes, lined old crates with anti-weed fabric for herbs, and turned an antique crib I found at a thrift store into the cutest blackberry bed you’ve ever seen.

Each piece in my backyard told a story. Each reuse helped keep trash out of the landfill and money in my wallet. And most importantly, each item made my shed feel like mine, like a personal backyard full of life.

Now, when people see my shed surrounded by its collection of upcycled garden planters, they smile, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s creative.

My backyard isn’t a showroom. It’s a place where cracked plastic and worn wood live again, where plants thrive in containers with a past. If you’re dreaming up farmhouse garden shed decorating ideas but feeling limited by money, look again at what you already have.

Beauty doesn’t come from matching sets and big price tags. It comes from resourcefulness, reuse, and putting your heart into the garden you grow.

12. Old Wooden Drawers as Rustic Garden Boxes

Discarded dresser drawers make ideal container beds for small flowers or herbs.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Line the inside with landscape fabric to prevent wood rot and improve drainage.
• Drill holes at the bottom for excess water runoff.
• Stack multiple drawers at varying angles for a layered garden display.

11. Worn-Out Boots as Whimsical Flower Pots

Tired leather boots or colorful rubber wellies make quirky, weatherproof planters.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Puncture drainage holes in the soles.
• Fill with a mix of gravel and potting soil to balance weight and water retention.
• Ideal for small trailing plants like lobelia or vines.

10. Vintage Suitcases as Portable Garden Beds

Old suitcases offer a retro-chic aesthetic and ample depth for mixed planting.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Choose hard-shell cases with fabric liners removed.
• Drill multiple holes in the base and line with plastic to avoid water damage.
• Elevate on cinder blocks or wooden legs for better airflow and presence.

9. Colanders and Strainers as Hanging Planters

Metal colanders with pre-existing holes are ready-made containers with built-in drainage.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Add a coco liner to hold soil and prevent erosion.
• Attach sturdy chains for hanging.
• Excellent for strawberries, trailing ivy, or ferns.

8. Repurposed Tires as Bold, Painted Planters

Old tires painted in bright colors become bold circular planters or vertical garden tiers.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Clean thoroughly and paint with outdoor latex paint.
• Cut and invert tires for a blooming flower look.
• Stack and secure multiple tires for depth and dimension.

7. Kitchen Pots and Pans as Industrial Planters

Discarded cookware, especially stainless steel, adds an industrial aesthetic to modern gardens.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Drill 3–4 drainage holes per pot.
• Use gravel at the bottom for improved drainage.
• Group various sizes for a cohesive metallic-themed garden corner.

6. Bathtubs as Large Statement Garden Beds

Clawfoot or cast-iron tubs are ideal for large floral displays or compact vegetable gardens.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Ensure proper drainage with gravel or additional drilled holes.
• Elevate slightly with bricks for aeration.
• Paint the exterior to match garden aesthetics or let rust for vintage charm.

5. Old Bicycles as Mobile Vertical Gardens

Retired bicycles can be turned into vertical gardens using baskets, saddlebags, and wheel spokes.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Mount baskets on the front and rear with lined containers.
• Grow trailing flowers or succulents around spokes.
• Anchor the bike securely to prevent tipping.

4. Toolboxes as Compact Herb Gardens

Steel or wooden toolboxes provide rugged charm and portability for herb planting.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Remove inner compartments for more planting space.
• Line with plastic or metal mesh for better soil containment.
• Use the handle for easy repositioning based on sunlight.

3. Toilets and Sinks as Eccentric Statement Planters

Ceramic toilets and pedestal sinks can be surprisingly elegant when planted creatively.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Plant trailing vines in the tank and bold blooms in the bowl or basin.
• Use as a focal point in quirky garden sections or wildflower zones.
• Fill cavities with gravel before soil for root health.

2. Bird Cages as Vertical or Hanging Flower Displays

Antique metal bird cages are perfect for suspending floral arrangements.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Line with coconut fiber or moss for planting medium.
• Add small potted plants inside or attach moss balls to the cage wires.
• Hang from tree branches, pergolas, or porch ceilings.

1. Barrels as Deep Root Planters

Half-cut barrels offer excellent depth and stability for deep-root vegetables or floral arrangements.

Garden Planters Tips:

• Drill multiple holes and place a layer of gravel at the base.
• Use for carrots, potatoes, or tall flowering plants like sunflowers.
• Seal wood with outdoor-safe wood sealant to prevent rotting.

Conclusion

Repurposing old household items into unique garden planters not only adds character and creativity to your green space, it also promotes eco-conscious gardening. With the right preparation and planting strategies, nearly any discarded object can be transformed into a functional and eye-catching planter.