Home » DIY » outdoor living » Repurposed Vintage (gas/watering) cans

Repurposed Vintage (gas/watering) cans

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

repurposed-gas-can-planter-hens-chicks



vintage hens & chicksIn yesterday’s post I showed you how Jamie and I planted succulents(hens & chicks) for her wedding reception.

hens & chicks succulents weddingThese are the plants I brought home from the wedding. I needed a place to plant them.

Vintage Gas CansIf you follow me on FB or Twitter you already know what I ran across while cleaning these cans out! I generally post what I’m working on if you’re interested in following there. The can on the right had a MOUSE family that committed suicide in it. There was a cap on the top, apparently they went in through the spout. Joyce said she thought it was a great mousetrap!

After I got it cleaned out, I drilled some holes in it.

using a vintage gas can in the garden

Then I used a pair of tin snips to cut a larger hole. I tried a hole saw, but it didn’t want to work very well on the roundness of the can.

I used a file to remove some of the sharp points.

I filled it up with a sandy topsoil. Not pictured: I drilled many holes in the bottom for drainage, and added some rocks to the bottom for drainage. These plants need well drained soil.

succulents in a vintage gas canI didn’t fill all the holes because I thought the babies would come out of the holes. Cathy thinks they won’t. Thoughts? Can you help me know how these things work?

Hens & Chicks Repurposed Containers This is just for staging because it is too shady in this area of my flower bed.

Repurposed Gas CanI will have to move it to a much sunnier location.

repurposed vintage watering canI had a few more plants, and wanted another unusual container. I found this vintage watering can in my shed.

Hens & Chicks Repurposed Containers I drilled and cut holes in it too. I also did drainage holes and rocks in the bottom.

Hens & Chicks Repurposed Containers

Hens & Chicks Repurposed Containers

watering can planterThis is a very small decorative watering can. I put some of the leftover plants that were not used at the wedding.

This is an old furnace grate. I used all of the leftover dirt and garbage roots from the container that Marybeth delivered Nana’s (aunt Jean’s) hens & chicks in. I have this in the sunniest part of my back yard. I will keep you posted if this “garbage” produces any plants. I am hopeful that it will. update: it did nothing   🙁

 

updated to add: I built this container for Jamie to grow her Hens & Chicks, and it’s doing great. You can see how I built it in my post  Planter Made With Reclaimed Fence

 

What is the most unusual container YOU have used to plant flowers/plants in?

gail
Pin It

32 Comments

  1. This post is a few years old now, how did these cans grow in? If you still have them, can you post some pictures? I have some Hens and Chicks that I picked up from the nursery last weekend and I’m looking for some creative ideas on how to plant them. 🙂

  2. I think what you did using the cans is really interesting and unique! great job! I plant flowers & plants in all kinds of things. I have used thrifted sugar bowls, tea cups, candle holders, votive holders, ice cream bowls, just whatever i find for that particular plant or flower. I don’t spend but 25 to 50 cents on them, so it works out.

  3. I have a watering can similar to the one with the “squared off” spout…I was a bit lazier and found one ceramic low slung dish that would fit in the large opening in the top so planted a succulent in it. It took a bit to get it to angle under the handle b/c there wasn’t much space (was relieved when it made it w/o breaking) but it’s sorta nice and just a fun place to put a plant and display the watering can, too. Yours looked great…with the multiple plants…a good idea!
    becky.reep@flpd2.com

  4. I love your blog and your projects – thanks for sharing them! The watering and gas can planters are awesome.

    I have been harvesting chicks n hens for many years. I have some photos of the things I’ve done with them that I’d love to share with everyone, but I can figure out how to insert the link…

  5. Before my mother retired she worked in a factory where she had to wear steel toed boots my mom had special order them since she wore a size five . When she retired she filled her boots with hen and chicks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.