How to Make a DIY Wheelbarrow Planter

For the most part, wheelbarrows tend to be little more than big, clunky eyesores that we put up with for their functionality. Since they don't generally make for compelling decorations, most of us hide them out of sight until we need to do some hauling.

But like most DIYers, we're always looking for new ways to make use of old objects. That's why we love this wheelbarrow planter idea so much. If you have an old wheelbarrow that's been collecting dust and taking up space, flip it into a beautiful garden enhancement using these tips. 

The DIYers at Simply Swider created this overflowing, customized planter in just a few steps.

To make it happen for your own garden, all you need is a drill, potting soil, a little bit of paint, and of course, plants and flowers that make your heart sing. 

First, give the wheelbarrow a good rinse. Then, drill six or seven holes into the flat part of the bottom so that your plants will have adequate drainage--we don't want any root rot on our watch! 

If you want, you can stop there and simply fill the barrow with potting soil and plants for one of the easiest DIY projects imaginable. Or, you can add design elements to truly make it your own. 

To create an easy stencil, Simply Swider found an image they liked online, printed it out on card stock, then cut it out using an X-Acto knife. 

For a rustic effect to match the vintage look of the wheelbarrow, hold the stencil up to the desired place and use a dry paint brush to apply acrylic paint.

For presentation purposes, the folks at The DIY Playbook wanted to be sure their wheelbarrow plants got the exposure they deserved, so they dug a hole into the dirt for the front wheel to slip in. Tilted forward this way, the garden will be on full display for all to see.

But because the hole will cause the wheelbarrow to tilt forward, you'll want to secure the back to make sure it doesn't tip over. All you need to keep it in place is some strong wire to loop over the back and hammer into the ground, then you're all set!

What's so great about this planter idea is that there's a lot more surface area to work with than a conventional pot, so your creative options for design are limitless. Try changing it up for the seasons, like this fall design from The DIY Playbook. 

Vary the growth height of the flowers for a lush effect. The bright colors and the fullness of the flowers Fairegarden chose for her wheelbarrow planter give the unfinished wheelbarrow a charming rustic look. 

Alternatively, fill the entire wheelbarrow with one type of colorful flower. Gardeninacity loves using pansies for spots of color. They are relatively cheap and easy to grow, but with the wide variety of colors, they can easily be used to brighten any yard or garden. 

Wheelbarrows can also make great planters for succulents as can be seen in this example from Dragonfly Farms Nursery. It's a great way to add some drought resistant plants to a xeriscaped area. 

With just a few holes, a little paint, and plants you love, you can make a wheelbarrow garden of your own in almost no time at all.