25 Unusual Junk Garden Planter Ideas

March 17, 2024
Below is a compilation of some unusual junk garden planters that have appeared on my blog from my own yard and gardens, and three of my friends' gardens. I think you will enjoy all the rusty, junky goodness paired with flowers!


Thrift Store Hinged Box Spring Makeover

March 13, 2024
I found this long, skinny, wooden, hinged box at our local thrift shop last week.  I paid $3 for it. I think it must have been a pencil box or paint brush box, maybe?  The glossy red paint was in very chippy condition. The shape and size of the box gave me an idea.  Scroll on to see this box getting a makeover, and also check out more projects from the Thrift Store Decor Team's March blog party!


Junk Garden Whiskey Barrel Planter Ideas

March 06, 2024
Do you have any whiskey barrel planters?  I currently have two round ones and one horizontal one.  Oak barrel planters weather into an awesome grey patina that is perfect for a junk garden.  Over the years, I have filled my barrel planters with a variety of annuals. I like to layer some plastic milk or water bottles on the bottom of barrels.  This saves on the amount of potting soil needed to fill the containers. The barrels also have drainage holes.  I always empty the soil into a wheelbarrow first if I move a barrel planter to another location. (But sometimes the barrel bottom has rotted out so the barrel stays put!) Above, my horizontal planter is filled with impatiens, asparagus ferns and filler vines.  Several years ago, I decorated the barrel front with an aluminum cover. It's nailed on.


Decorating With Enamelware Inside & Out

February 29, 2024
I pick up inexpensive enamelware at garage sales and thrift shops all the time.  I find most of my enamelware for $5 to $10, sometimes less. Some are reproduction enamelware.  Pieces in excellent condition will not get drainage holes, but instead, become inside pieces.  Buying ceramic or terracotta flowerpots would be more expensive and would pose a winter storage hassle.  Enamelware works great for both indoor and outdoor planters, holiday decor, and farmhouse kitchens.


Junk Garden Galvanized Bucket Planter Ideas

February 21, 2024
As winter winds down, it's time to think about flower gardening! Do you have enough galvanized buckets for planting?  Galvanized buckets are my favorite rustic outdoor planter.


22 Button Jar Decorating & Crafting Ideas

February 13, 2024
My mom and both of my grandmas were button collectors. Besides inheriting some of their buttons, I have purchased my own cards and jars of buttons. Over the last 10+ years, I have used buttons for both decorating and crafting.  Take a look.


DIY Botanical Dollar Tree Reverse Canvas Decor Transfer Wall Art

January 23, 2024
I purchased two 6" x 8" and one 8" x 10" art canvases at our local Dollar Tree. I used them to create easy botanical wall art!


Vintage Suitcase Upcycling & Repurposing Ideas

January 17, 2024
Here is an assortment of older blog projects and newer ones. Let's talk old suitcases! I scoop them up when they are clean inside and have a reasonable price.   I spray painted the one above with  Rustoleum Painters Touch Flat Black Spray Paint  and decorated it with   Redesign With Prima's Somewhere In France Transfer. Keep scrolling for more upcycles and ideas with suitcases.


Eleven Washboard Upcycled Decor Projects

January 10, 2024
I found this washboard style wall bin at our local thrift store in late 2023.  I couldn't pass it up, I love washboard projects! This blog post contains eleven of my washboard makeovers, as well as six more amazing project ideas from the Thrift Store Decor Team!                                         


Raised Coffeepot Planters In Country Sampler Magazine

January 08, 2024
I have a garden project featured in the Spring 2024 Country Sampler Magazine. Country Sampler magazine has had a makeover from its all primitive country format, and it also features upcycling projects from many DIY bloggers. It's worth a read! Here is my photo featured in the magazine. The coffeepot planters on stakes idea is from my blog post from May 23, 2016.  I have planted annuals in old coffee pots for years now.  But, last week, I got the crazy idea to add wood stakes to the bottom of three old coffee pots.     I purchased a 6 pack of rough wood garden stakes at Menard's for $5.00.  I made the stakes three different lengths, allowing for part of the stake to be in the dirt.  I attached the stakes through the bottom of the coffee pots with a washer and a screw.  I then thought the wood looked a little too new and applied some vinegar and steel wool stain.  (The recipe is all over Pinterest). The bottom of this length-wise half barrel was planted with red zonal geraniums,