Repurposed Vintage (gas/watering) cans
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In yesterday’s post I showed you how Jamie and I planted succulents(hens & chicks) for her wedding reception.
These are the plants I brought home from the wedding. I needed a place to plant them.
If 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.
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.
I 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?
This is just for staging because it is too shady in this area of my flower bed.
I will have to move it to a much sunnier location.
I had a few more plants, and wanted another unusual container. I found this vintage watering can in my shed.
I drilled and cut holes in it too. I also did drainage holes and rocks in the bottom.
This 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
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I want to run, run, run and get some containers and hen and chicks.
Last year, I planted lavender in an old metal mop bucket.
How cute! I love the idea and it looks great. I’m not sure if the plants will come through the holes, you could wait until the shoots start to come off the ones you planted and then replant them in those wholes. I really love how the gas can turned out, may have to scour some yard sales for one of my own!
Also, I have a great giveaway going on for some chalkboard labels and would love if you entered! http://eyespydiy.blogspot.com/2011/05/chalkboard-label-giveaway-from-ginger.html
so cute…i am so glad you soldiered on after the 3 blind mice incident!
Totally cool …. super creative. The chicks will not come out of those holes though. Sorry….
Those turned out really cute Gail.
what a fantastic idea! i love it!
what a fantastic idea! i love it!
This is such a cute idea! Love how the plants and the can just ‘fit’…they were meant to be!
Also, thanks for stopping by ‘Just Dream, Jelly Bean’ and your sweet comment…come on back anytime 🙂
have a great week…
~ Jill
Gail, I love the succulents in the tea cups and the gas can too! You did a beautiful job. The gas can definitely makes a prettier planter than it does a mouse-trap — Eek!
Jenn
I love that idea! Hens and chicks are so easy to grow!
Very clever, Love them. 10 years ago my Grandma gave me a bin full of hens and chicks. Back then I didnt garden or even know what they were but at least I had the sense to plant them in all the rockerys. I have tons now!
Who says you aren’t cre8tive! I love this, it is too cute.