How to Use Wheelbarrow as a Planter

A wheelbarrow can serve as an excellent planter, as it is easy to move around the garden and protect plants from the elements.  Turning an old wheelbarrow into a planter is simple to do, and creates an excellent addition to any garden.

Items Needed

• Power drill


• Drill bit


• Wheelbarrow


• Gravel


• Potting Soil


• Plants


• Steel wool

Wheelbarrow Planter

1. Use an old wheelbarrow from the garage, or find one at a garage sale.  You may also wish to purchase a new one from a hardware store.  If you are going to be growing edibles in your wheelbarrow, it is important that there is no flaking or chipped paint on the inside, as it may contain lead.


2. Add holes to the bottom of the wheelbarrow to allow for proper drainage. 


3. Turn the wheelbarrow upside down, and use a power drill with a bit that is made to drill through metal to drill holes through the bottom of the wheelbarrow.


4. Drill holes in a grid pattern, to ensure that the soil will have adequate drainage.  It is a good idea to do any drilling over a surface that will allow you to sweep up any metal pieces and discard them.


5. Use steel wool and water to clean any rust off of the wheelbarrow.


6. Wash out the wheelbarrow with a garden hose.


7. Place a layer of gravel over the bottom of the wheelbarrow.


8. Fill the wheelbarrow with potting soil, making sure to leave a few inches of space from the soil to the rim of the wheelbarrow.


9. Add water to the soil and mix it until the soil is moist.


10. Choose which plants you would like to plant in your wheelbarrow.  You may wish to plant annuals, perennials or edibles.  Good choices for annuals include impatiens, petunias, marigolds and begonias, while good choices for perennials include coneflower, aster and delphinium.  Good choices for edibles include lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, squash and melons.