I love when I can take something that’s been discarded and give it new life. I wouldn’t call me a junk collector by any means. Clutter typically isn’t my thing. But I love it when I can find something that someone else thinks is junk and see it in a different way, repurpose it and make it useful – like this DIY planter.
Last week, stores finally started opening up again and I took the afternoon to spend time visiting my favorite vintage stores here in Grand Rapids. I specifically like one near my house called Pinky’s Place because it always has great deals and is full of unique finds.
Finding the perfect piece
When I walked in, not only was I looking for something to create an island in the greenhouse (Wait until you see what I found for that!) but I was also looking for a garden DIY idea for an Instagram sponsorship.
The brand did not sponsor this post, but I felt like this idea was worth sharing with all of you because it’s a perfect example of how creative you can be when you let your mind wander. They had sent photos of what they were looking for – DIY potting benches, DIY planters and old dressers turned into flower beds – but my heart couldn’t really stand the idea of take a nice piece of furniture and cutting holes in it. I also didn’t have a lot of time to make this. I needed something simple, with big impact and charm.
In one of my favorite booths, I stumbled upon an old, metal chicken feeder. Right away I could see its potential and envision it hanging in the greenhouse overflowing with beautiful plants.
But was it right for this project? I wandered around the store for a bit longer and decided that I didn’t really care if it was right for that partnership. I wanted to make the DIY planter from the old chicken feeder anyways. That’s how much I loved it and how perfect I knew it would be for my space.
I snatched it up along with a few more beautiful pieces full of rustic goodness and charm. And it didn’t take much to turn it into a DIY planter. I love the galvanized color, I loved the rust spots and I loved the clean lines so I didn’t want to alter any of that really.
How I made the DIY planter
Here’s what I used:
- Rust-oleum Clear Enamel to stop rust and protect it and my plants
- Twine
- Dirt
- Herbs
I decided to use the DIY planter as an herb planter. Since it wasn’t very deep, I couldn’t use it for vegetables. Also, since technically there was some rust, I didn’t really want to use it for something like lettuce – even though I coated it with the Rust-oleum. I decided herbs would look beautiful in it and I could use them if I wanted to or just use it as decoration.
To make it, I simply sprayed it with two coats of the Rust-oleum and let it dry. Then Kevin and I hung it from the rafters in the greenhouse with twine. (I promise I’ll give you a full greenhouse tour soon!)
Then I added a little dirt and lined up my herbs. I added some pink begonias for a bit of color.
You can see a step-by-step in the video above.
Herb & floral drier
My chicken feeder had legs on it that were made to help stabilize it when a bunch of chickens were eating from it. They were very tough and I couldn’t bend them at all. I also didn’t want to cut them off and risk having something that was a bit too sharp on the edges.
I decided to leave the legs as is and use them as a place to dry herbs. Because of that, I love that this really became a 2-in-1 project. I had an herb drier on my list for the year and now I’m not sure I’ll need to do it.
I’m so pleased with how it turned out. What do you guys think?
If you want to do something similar, check your local vintage stores or salvages stores for old chicken planters. Or you can check Etsy. Sometimes I find wonderful things on there.
For more DIYs click {HERE}. For more from the garden, click {HERE}.
What a great upcycle! I absolutely love how it came out. Super cute.
I love how this turned out. It’s so creative! This is perfect for those who can actually grow things. I cannot, sadly.
I love gardening and this project it’s so beautiful I wish I can do something like this at home. Pinning!
You and your hubbie are so creative, skilled and so resourceful when it comes to upcycling things and making them practical again. I always enjoy reading about your adventures on the farm you’ve set up to escape suburbia. I wish I was brave enough to do the same thing!
I love this idea!! It’s always fun to make something new out of something older. 🙂
I really love how well that came out! I’ve always enjoyed upcycling one thing into something else. That old feeder really worked out well!
What a great way to reuse a feeder. I like the look of this planter.
That is a gorgeous DIY addition. As much as I try to be a plant lady, I just keep killing my plants. Ugh, woe is me.
This planter is so cute and unique!! You did an amazing job.
This is such a clever idea. I would love to do something like this for my home.
I love the look of this! Rustic, industrial and beautiful.
Rachel, I am so fond of reading your posts about how you manage to grow all this amazing stuff. I have my own backyard and attempt to grow the herbs and flowers and bushes. Yours is so much bigger. I relate it to my childhood when I was growing up among all the stuff you are doing today.
Thank you so much. Remember you can grow so much in a small space too. <3
Wow what a creative idea! It looks great, perfect way to showcase your plants. So smart.
You are living in my dream home! I would love to have a place like this to grow herbs and veggies!
What a great idea! It looks great and it is also a wonderful way to upcycle. I think this came out great.
I love making use of items you find. This is a great way to reuse the feeder.
This planter is so cute and creative! What a great way to upcycle!
OMG! This is brilliant! Your garden is unique and I would like to have one.
Such a creative idea. So cute. I will definitely do something like if I have some space.
What a good idea for a diy! I also love that you had it hung, added feature in the house.
That looks beautiful – would not have known it was a chicken feeder! Your green house is lovely. I on the other hand, have a black thumb!
What a great recycling project! That is so amazing!
This is such a great idea, I love how you put this on your garden. It add some layer of planting box and it is hanging good space.
I have to find one of these! We are getting ready to start the construction of our own greenhouse and that would be a gorgeous addition!
What an awesome greenhouse you’ve got. And your project came out wonderfully. Well done!
I have a flower garden and I certainly love that idea. Now if only I have an old chicken feeder, I’ll make it into a planter too.
you are very creative and this DIY is looking amazing and came out very nice and practical. I also love your blog and layout.
I miss gardening we only have limited space in our place. I love diy planter yours is so cool and recycle is always great for the budget.
What a cool idea! I’m always looking for fun planter ideas.
I’m totally jealous 🙂 Your greenhouse is gorgeous! Such a great DIY
What a nea tidea nd it look sgreat!
Oh wow! you are so creative and what a beautiful space you have there.
I love creative planters and this one looks so awesome. I love the rustic look!
This is such a great idea for a planter! It is beautiful, I love the pictures of it, I may have to make one!!!
this is so stinkin cute! Can you please deliver one to my house? lol!
Wow! Your greenhouse looks so great and I love the planter! What a clever idea.
I love how you repurposed the old chicken feeder. It makes a terrific rustic planter.
It’s so pretty! I use odd things as planters too! I love how beautiful your posts always are.
This is such a clever DIY up cycling project. I am not a DIY girl but I appreciate your talents
Your garden is so cute with you diy planters! It’s a awesome idea. Hope to have this kind of garden soon.
I am so loving this DIY planter. Looks really cute and perfect for our place. Thanks for sharing.
What a great planter idea. It looks great.
What a great way to repurpose your old chicken feeder. This quarantine period has allowed me to venture into gardening and I have been recycling old plastic containers and other “junk” to make them useful again.
This is a very pretty project and looks wonderful!
I love this idea! Anything that deals with recycling I’m all for and I love the rustic feel to it too 😀