“Do it yourself” lovers, gather. Remember the old metal pail left in the garage many years ago? Now it is time to bring it into use. We will repurpose it as a hanging planter for your most colorful flowers. This hanging pail planter can be used in the backyards as well as in patios and balconies.
What is repurposing?
Repurposing is known as transforming the use-value of an object from an alternative one. It is a kind of recycling, or as it is sometimes called upcycling. The main idea is to reuse the items that are still in good shape and state but not useful in terms of their primary intended purpose.
Repurposing is a great way to reduce waste and overconsumption. In the age of mass production, we think that we are never short of any kind of item. So, we got used to throwing away stuff even though it still has use-value. Not until recently, we have not realized how much burden we give to our world by producing so much waste. To decrease the amount of garbage we produce in our daily lives, we can reuse, recycle and repurpose what we already have in hand. This is a very environment-conscious act.
How to Repurpose A Pail?
One of the best ways to give a second life to a pail is to turn it into a hanging planter. Here is the step-by-step guide to the fantastic project of repurposing old metal pails into hanging pail planters.
Step 1: Get a Pail
Since we aim to repurpose, it is better that you find an abandoned pail for this project. Dig into the garage or the storage room; you never know what can come up. If you can’t find one in your place, you can always ask friends, neighbors, or family members. Maybe they could also join the repurposing project!
What you need to keep in mind is taking a look at the condition of the pail. You may not like the rustic look of rusty buckets; if so, paint them to whatever color you want. They will look amazing.
Of course, do not forget to get a shepherd’s hook to hang your pail. A beaked iron bar can be a substitute. It might be possible to find these among unused items at your storage or a local smith shop.
Step 2: Find a Spot for the Hanging Pail Planter
The second thing you should do is decide where to place your hanging pail planter in your available spaces. Think about which part of your garden you want to highlight and consider the size of your pail, too.
Step 3: Decide on Your Arrangement
Hanging pail planters are perfect for making plant arrangements. Most of them are big enough to plant several different flowers together to create a blend of vivid colors.
As an alternative, you can fill the bottom half of the pail with large clean rocks to elaborate your arrangement. Or, you can make a transitioning arrangement as if flowers are pouring down from the bucket like water. Develop this with stones, a tiny sculptor, and outdoor lighting to light up your display at night.
Step 4: Plant the Flowers
The last step is planting your flowers, and then your pail is ready to be hung. The project is successfully completed!
Where to Use a Hanging Pail Planter?
They suit the front yard or the porch the most since its charming look is an eye-catcher for the visitors. But they can also be used in backyards or gardens.
If you don’t have a suitable space outdoors, and if your planter’s size is appropriate, you can use it on the balcony. However, it may not be possible to find a spot to hang the pail planter on the balcony or patio. You can place it among your other flowerpots or on a higher shelf.
What Kind of Flowers to Plant?
When choosing plants for a hanging pail planter, you can look for leggy, bushy, or floriferous breeds so that they can fill up the large pail. The colorful burst of flowers is what makes a hanging pail planter attractive. Also, when the extensive flowers and leaves cover the potting mix, your flowers may look like they are popping out of the pail on their own. What a lovely look!
In consideration of this, flowers like million bells, petunias, begonias, marigolds, cosmos flowers, and daisies seem like perfect choices. Most of these plants are very easy to take care of, and they bloom such colorful flowers that will brighten up your garden or patio.
Images via: a piece of rainbow, ltd commodities
