I have had this cute vintage planter for a few years, and this year I decided that I wanted to use it for a little herb garden next to my hanging baskets on the patio. The galvanized insert had rust and other icky-ness so I knew I needed to line it with something a little more food-safe.
{P.S. If you are wondering why our fence is orange, you can see my post on Facebook here and then you can cry a little with me}
I shopped around and couldn't find one to fit, so I grabbed a couple of fence boards from Lowes and set to work building one.
After I finished with the box, I made sure to drill holes in the bottom for easy draining. I drilled holes in the old galvanized one too so it didn't become an herb swimming pool!
Here it is in the planter. It was a little short so I ended up just putting a couple of rocks underneath to prop it up so it was more like the height of the galvanized box. I could have built one that was taller, but I didn't want to purchase bigger boards... and I didn't want to hit Lowes for the 3rd time this week. Keep in mind that you will also want to test your painted box to make sure that the paint is not lead based, and also not eat any herbs that are in contact with the chipping paint.
Ella helped me plant our herbs. We already have a few herbs planted in the main garden {here}, but I had saved a few just for this little planter.
We planted rosemary, oregano, sweet basil, and purple basil {because one kind of basil is just not enough :)}.
I love it out there. And, I actually already had a salad yesterday with a bit of the basil! All of that building made me hungry 🙂
I shared sneak peaks yesterday on my brand new Instagram {here} of this project and others that I am working on... if you want to follow along.
I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Laurel Stephens
I love your new planter, Kristen. I hope the fence pickets are untreated wood?
Unknown
Very cute idea. And I'm so sorry about your fence. One thing about your rosemary...that stuff grows and grows and grows and then grows some more. I have a full on bush of it in my front yard. If you keep it in the planter, clip it a lot. Rosemary is good at repelling mosquitos too. Transferring it to the ground or even a large pot so you can bring it in during the winter might be your best bet.
MyRoseinItaly
Lovely! I lime it sooooo much!
Hugs,
Manu
Kelly Rinzema
Cute idea, I have one of these sitting in my basement right now that I might need to dust off 🙂 Sorry about the fence, what a bummer!
NanaDiana
Kristen- It looks so nice. I think raising it up on the rocks is a great idea...plus it will give you even better drainage. It looks great..and so do your hanging plants-xo Diana
Bronwyn
I'd love to own a planter like that! It reminds me of one that my Oma had when we were growing up. Maybe I can find one yard sale-ing this summer. By the way - your petunias are gorgeous!
I am a new Instagram follower, too!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
What a pretty planter, Kristen! Nice solution for the insert.
Anna @ A Good Home
Such a pretty little herb home! Great use of an old piece.
Oh. Man. I looked at your FB post. That's such a bummer! Will Lowe's give you a refund? I sure hope so!