Create a faux galvanized planter with a plastic bucket and some spray paint!
Spring is here and that means that it is time to get planting. Last year I did very little gardening because we spend most of the summer camping and often my plants become neglected. But this year I wanted to add some planters to our backyard to complement our newly finished deck and patio.
Finding the perfect planter turned out to be more challenging than I thought so I created our own do-it-yourself version. Here is our awesome DIY Plastic Bucket Planter…
How to make a DIY plastic bucket planter:
I was hoping to find extra large galvanized planters to create floral focal points in our back yard. We need large planters so that when we are camping during the summer months, they will retain some of the moisture from watering and not dry out so quickly. Everything that I found was well over $20 each and not what I was looking for. So I picked up three of these large plastic buckets from Walmart for $5 each (they were in the Rubbermaid bin/organizing section) and grabbed a can of Metallic Rust-oleum spray paint.
One can of spray paint did two coats of paint on each bucket. This is the difference that the paint made after just one coat! I love it! It’s the perfect look for our space. And the possibilities with this spray paint are endless! You could chose any paint colour to match your outdoor decor.
I spray painted the handles and the top three inches of the inside of the bucket as well. Spray paint on plastic is not the most durable finish if you were doing this to something like a chair that would have a lot of handling. The paint can easily be scraped off. But this is the perfect finish for these buckets because after planting they will be moved to a permanent spot and simply be viewed from every angle.
I love how this do-it-yourself plastic bucket planter turned out. Be sure to check out these bee friendly plants that I found to plant in our faux galvanized bucket planters!
Have you been busy planting this spring? Please share your garden…
Did you punch holes in the bottom or just sit the plants inside of buckets? also what plant’s did you use?
I had rocks and gravel at the bottom for drainage but you could totally punch holes in them. I planted bee friendly plants – there is a post about them :)
Where is the post on bee friendly plants, please…
Here it is…
https://homemadeheather.com/create-a-bee-friendly-planter/
What a great idea! No reason to spend tons of money on an expensive planter when this looks so amazing:)
Thanks Sara!!
This is such a great idea! I need something like this for my deck since it is a little off of the ground and it will help for safety. I’m checking on the walmart site and haven’t been able to find the buckets. Do you have a link to them? Thank you!!
Hello and thank you! I don’t have a link to the buckets – they were in the organization/laundry section of the store. Hope that helps :)
Those look like the buckets I got you the laundry department for dirty clothes for my granddaughter
What a great cost effective solution! I looked everwhere last year for flower pots but didn’t want to spend an arm and a leg, so I ended up with fewer than I would have liked. Great idea! Pinned!
PS I recently started a new link party and would love to see some of your things there! mybusybeehives.com #BEEPARTY
I buy Dollar Store party accessories and storage containers and adapt them as planters.
Smart!
The planters look AMAZING! For those that worry about paint flaking; Rust-o-leum makes a great plastic coat spray paint. I’ve used it on my pvc table top for years. Doesn’t flake or chip and has a nice semi gloss finish. I get about 4 good years out of my heavily used tabletop (using table instead of sawhorses for cutting wood)) before sanding & repainting!
Thanks for sharing Lynn! Good to hear :)
I love how your “pot” turned out!
Thanks!
Letting everyone know that I’ve tried this and you better use annuals. The tubs from walmart will not last in the weather. They crack and become brittle. The first item to go was the handles of all of them then the containers began to crack and chuck off.
Thanks for the feedback Debbie! The quality of the tubs that you use will definitely affect how long they last as well as how cold it gets during winter in your part of the world. I would suggest covering them with mulch or protective fabric through the colder months to protect the plants and planters :)