Treasured Gardens: Repurposed Rewards

VITALITY

MY APRICOT HILL

June 01, 2012

Napa Valley's Native Son

Lake Tahoe, California

What do used soup cans, empty wine bottles, a discarded dresser drawer and an old watering can have in common? These seemingly useless objects are seeds to grow a repurposed, sustainable container garden.

My Apricot Hill enjoys unique twists on classic style and our gardens are no exception. Rather than using traditional planters for your next garden project, try repurposed containers stand out, be bold; add flair.

Based in Australia, Anne Gibson, The Microgardener and repurposed container garden expert tells us, “While new planters can look fantastic, the satisfaction of upcycling materials and creating unique container gardens can become an addictive passion and provide entertaining garden art your visitors will enjoy. Many items we would normally throw or give away, are the perfect size and shape for such a project. Rather than ending up in landfill, with a little creative imagination you can turn everyday items into useful planters that may give you several seasons or even a few years of use. When their time has come, you know you’ve made a contribution to treading a little lighter on the planet (and most likely your wallet!) and it’s time for a new project.”

There are very few prerequisites for the type of container you select for a planter. Double check for any cracks or holes in the item and make sure that the container is still in reasonably good shape. Decorating your repurposed container can be as simple as painting tin cans or as elaborate as embellishing your new planter with seashells, pebbles, colored glass or other small trinkets for an artsy mosaic treatment.

Anne shared her personal favorites for creating interesting and unusual container gardens with My Apricot Hill:

Old wheelbarrows: They’re portable, so you can move them to take advantage of sun, shade or protect your plants from the elements.
Metal watering cans: They’re charming. Over time, they spring a leak or two at the bottom and create built in drainage holes.
Plastic pots and buckets of all shapes and sizes: The plastic surface can be roughed-up and painted or they can be covered in burlap and rope ties for a more rustic, country look.

Try turning your old beach cruiser into a resting spot for your favorite tulip arrangement. A little imagination is all you really need to create a focal point in your garden. From old shoe racks, and wooden vegetable containers to old windowsills and baskets, as long as it’s weather proofed, it may be repurposed and personalized. The sky is the limit as Stuff Steph Does blogger Stephanie Hayward tells us, “Keep an open mind and be creative. Anything that can hold dirt can grow a plant.”

For gardens in full sun we prefer verbenas, cape daisies and lavender. For shaded areas, we suggest fuchsia, begonias and caladiums. Annuals we can’t get enough of include petunias, impatiens, and begonias. Choosing flowers with vibrant colors adds dimension to your garden. Anne provides insight into her preferences, “For outdoor container gardens, I use a lot of nasturtiums, violas, alyssum and lavender.” Check with your local garden center for plant recommendations that work best in your area.

For our city dwellers with limited outdoor space, indoor repurposed container gardens add accent to small spaces. Using old tea tins for herb gardens adds a quaint touch to the kitchen. A few of our favorite herbs to grow indoors include rosemary, basil, sage, lavender and mint.

Inviting your children to create their own containers is a delightful way to fill a summer day. Combined with the wonder of watching flowers grow and recycling with a purpose, container gardens offer valuable teachable moments for children and bonding time for all.

An important part of the My Apricot Hill home is our garden. It’s a favorite place to escape and unwind. Enjoy your garden, grab a book, a glass of pinot noir and revel in your sustainable accomplishments.