13+ Vintage Junk Container Gardening Ideas with Repurposed Style

Looking for unusual garden planter ideas? You’ll love these 13+ unique container gardening ideas if you love flea market style. Vintage junk finds add repurposed garden decor style to your yard when planted with flowers and succulents.

Spring planting is drawing near and thrifting season is too! One of my favorite creative endeavors is to combine my love for vintage junk finds with pretty flowers and plants. If you love filling your yard with unusual garden planters, these 13+ Vintage Junk Container Gardening Ideas with Repurposed Style will give you just the inspiration you need!

Today’s post is part of our monthly Pinterest Challenge, organized by Cindy at County Road 407. This month we’re inspiring you with container gardening ideas to jump start the planting season! If you’re visiting from WM Design House, I’m sure you were wowed by Wendy’s gorgeously planted vintage chairs! If only I had as many months to garden here in MN as she does in CA! I’ll have all the rest of the inspiration at the end.

Our Inspiration Photo

Each month for these challenges, Cindy chooses an inspiration photo for us. This month’s pic comes from Carlene at Organized Clutter. Carlene just happens to live in my home state of MN! I’d love to meet her in real life one of these days. We both love filling our homes and gardens with repurposed and upcycled vintage junk finds. If you love repurposed container gardening, be sure to follow our Junk Gardening Pinterest board HERE.

Every year Carlene shares her junk-filled garden tour with her readers. Our pic this month is from one of her summer tours. Definitely check out the whole tour HERE.

Carlene’s picture and tour inspires with so many wonderful ideas, I decided this month I’d share a tour of repurposed vintage junk finds from many years in our yard and garden! Whether you’re in planting season yet or not, you can keep an eye out for vintage finds when you’re thrifting that you can fill with pretty foliage. Enjoy unique container gardening ideas from my yard!

13+ Vintage Junk Container Gardening Ideas with Repurposed Style

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Use Old Galvanized Buckets as Planting Containers

Old galvanized buckets are usually easy to find when you’re thrifting at flea markets or estate sales. They have farmhouse charm when used as planters in your garden. Simply drill holes in the bottom to provide drainage for your plants. You can use them singly with plants on your porch, or create a striking display when grouped on an old ladder.

I’ve stenciled cute designs on some. I like to give them a coat of THIS to bring out their timeworn character. Plant a display of flowers, a topiary, or create your own herb garden with several.

(the free printable below can be found with many others in my Resource Library. Sign up to become an Insider to get access to them all)

Plant Flowers and Herbs in Old Washtubs

Old galvanized washtubs have vintage charm and will give you even more planting space for flowers and edibles. Tuck them into your garden here and there or use a pair on a washstand for interest up high.

If the bottom has rotted out, no worries. Just turn it upside down and fill with a planter. Or set a pumpkin on top in the Fall.

Use a Basket for a Cute Container Gardening Idea

Baskets can provide great texture when planted with garden flowers. If the holes are large, line with cocoa liner or screening so the soil doesn’t fall through. Hang on a garden gate or an old bike for vintage charm.

Repurpose an Old Birdbath as a Unique Container Gardening Idea

This old birdbath had rotted through and would no longer hold water. When lined with screening, it became the perfect shallow container for succulents.

“How to Plant Succulents in an Old Birdbath”

Repurpose a Lantern as a Terrarium Planter

A thrifted lantern can turn into a container planter with terrarium charm when filled with soil and plants. Accent with small animal figures for even more interest. Add rocks and votive candles to the top for an easy upcycle.

Upcycle Old Metal Fencing Into Planters

Rolls of old metal fencing can be found at flea markets. With a little bending, it can be upcycled into unique garden containers. Line with cocoa liner and plant with your favorite foliage.

“Repurposed Vintage Fencing Squares DIY”

Vintage fencing can also be shaped into circles to support plants and add unique garden art.

Repurpose An Old Feed Trough as a Rustic Planter

Old feed troughs can be repurposed as a rustic planter with farmhouse charm. Drill drainage holes and fill bottom with empty plastic plant containers to take up space. Then fill with your favorite flowers or edibles.

Add a Vintage Birdcage to Your Garden Container

Old birdcages can be a fun addition to your container gardens. They add architectural interest and vintage patina to flowers and herbs. And can hinder pests. Add the birdcage when plants are young and they will fill out and grow through the sides as they mature.

Upcycle Old Hoses Into an Unusual Garden Planter Idea

Old hoses can be upcycled into unique garden art. By adding succulents, they can turn into unusual garden planters with vertical interest, too. For an everlasting version you can use indoors, see the full post:

“DIY Garden Hoses Wreath”

Plant Vintage Household Items with Flowers

Thrifted vintage household items can become unique container gardening vessels. Group them together for bigger impact and feature a collection. Three enamelware coffee pots get filled each season with flowers or foliage and look cute on an old stand on our porch.

For seasonal porch inspiration, see HERE.

Upcycle an Old Toolbox Into a Container Garden

Old toolboxes can be upcycled into unique container garden vessels. They can be hung like a window box or set anywhere. I added one to a hanging vintage bike one year. Metal toolboxes will get hot in the sun, so would be happier with succulents. But if you place your toolbox container garden in the shade, it can add a fun pop of interesting texture.

Fill a Bike Basket with Flowers

Vintage bikes can be fun junk garden art. Line an old bike basket with cocoa liner and plant with trailing ivy, succulents or bright impatiens, depending on shade or sun. Lean it up against a tree or fence for a unique garden feature.

Upcycle Old Tins Into Plant Containers

Old metal tins can be planted up as pretty and unique garden features. Whether they’re old food packages or pretty floral tins like these (“Collecting Vintage Daher Floral Tins”), they’ll add charm to your outdoor spaces.

Repurpose Old Metal Garbage Cans for Outdoor Garden Containers

To extend my trash to treasure lifestyle outdoors, I’ve repurposed old metal garbage cans as planters all around my home and garage. I fill the bottoms with empty plastic milk jugs so they won’t be heavy and to provide drainage. They’re big, so they make a statement and they were free!

For more creative ideas for your garden with vintage inspired style:

“16 Vintage Repurposed Junk Projects with Garden Style”

“10 Easy Ways to Decorate with Vintage Garden Tools”

“Summer Garden Party Ideas with Vintage Milk Glass”

For more gardening how-to tips for growing your own bouquets of beautiful flowers, pick up my friend, Stacy’s amazing new book, “The Bricks n’ Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy Care Flower Garden”. You will love her gorgeous photography and all the simple tips and tricks.

For more of the Pinterest Challenge container gardening ideas, be sure to check out Diane’s container gardening tips at South House Designs next!

Thanks for reading 13+ Vintage Junk Container Gardening Ideas with Repurposed Style. If you enjoyed your visit, be sure to Become an Insider so I can send the ideas right to you! You can Sign Up HERE.

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Creative Ideas for Outdoor Plant Containers

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