Wheelbarrow Container Garden Ideas
Before I share today’s post, Wheelbarrow Container Garden Ideas, I wanted to say thank you for all your sweet messages of support and encouragement after last week’s post.
It means so much to me to know you’re thinking and praying for us.
To be perfectly honest, I felt like I was in a fog for nearly the entire week. I just couldn’t seem to get myself together.
Instead of trying to slog through the days like I usually do though, I decided to give myself grace and do one small thing each day that brought a sense of normalcy and it felt like the biggest gift.
Planting flowers and container gardens have always been my go-to during seasons of stress, grief, and loss. There is something that feels really comforting about nurturing plants and watching them grow.
We’ve kept a wheelbarrow container garden on the back patio for years. It’s one of my favorite spots because you can see the flowers blooming from inside the breakfast nook and on the porch swing outside too.
Recently, I noticed it was in desperate need of a little TLC. So, I headed to our local nursery to pick up a few plants.
It only took 3 plants to give our metal wheelbarrow container garden a refresh so I wanted to share the transformation in case you wanted to create something similar at your house too.
Here’s a look at how to create a wheelbarrow container garden…
Wheelbarrow Container Garden Supplies:
- Wheelbarrow
- Weed cloth
- Foam Peanuts or Pool Noodle Pieces, optional
- Garden Soil
- Flowers
- Mulch, optional
Wheelbarrow Container Garden Steps:
Our metal wheelbarrow has definitely seen better days. It has some pretty significant cracks in the base of it so we lined it with weed cloth to help create a slower drainage system.
Then we added foam pool noodle pieces before covering the entire base with fresh garden soil.
I used 2 big bags of potting soil to fill the entire wheelbarrow. It’s important to make sure the soil is level because the inside of the wheelbarrow is sloped.
Next, we started planting and arranging the flowers.
Make sure the flowers you choose for your wheelbarrow container garden have the same soil, water, and sun requirements. I am notorious for picking flowers I love based on color or texture only to get home and realize they shouldn’t be mixed in the same container!
You’ll also need to consider the spacing needs of each plant as well.
Once you have all your flowers in place, add an additional layer of potting soil and a layer of mulch.
Since we live in Florida, we can only use pine straw or rubber mulch as per our termite bond. So, that might be something to keep in mind where you live too.
Be sure to water your wheelbarrow container garden heavily before cleaning up!
As I shared above, it only took adding 3 plants (2 petunias and 1 lantana) to give our metal wheelbarrow container garden a completely fresh feel.
Here’s another look at the before…
and after…
I think sometimes we think we have to make big changes in order to see the big results we’re after. Especially, when it comes to room makeovers, healthy living habits, organizing our homes, or chasing our dreams.
While that might be true for some things, more times than not it’s the little tweaks, habits, workflows, and systems we practice and embrace with consistency every day that ultimately creates a lasting change.
After all, these flowers started with nothing more than a tiny seed and a little bit of hope.
Cheering you on as you “bloom where you are planted” this season! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Hey CoCo – such a cute idea of turning an old wheelbarrow into a planter! The purple flowers do pop with the rust and makes for a charming display. We also appreciate the reminders of checking the plant labels – we usually base our purchases off of “these are beautiful” and then are disappointed when they don’t make it through the season 🙂
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You guys are so funny! I’m all out there with a pad and pen making sure my plants are compatible and you’re flying by the seat of your pants. I love it. Hugs for you both, Coco
I do love how the purple color pops against the rust of the wheelbarrow…nice contrast. I also like the pine straw…I can’t find it in my area. Have a great day!
Lori
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Thanks so much, Lori, that’s my favorite part too. We have lots of bugs in Florida so our pest control company recommends we use pine straw in place of mulch as another added layer for the termite bond. They sell pine straw at our home improvement store so if you ever come to visit – we can load you up 🙂 CoCo
So glad you decided to reuse the wheelbarrow as a container garden! It’s beautiful!! I imagine myself sitting on your porch with you sipping herbal teas and enjoying all your beautiful projects out there! Hugs!!
Angie, that would be so much fun! We would have such a good time. You could give me some gardening tips 🙂 Hugs, Coco
If I had a wheelbarrow like this I’d plant in it too.
Looks great and happy you’re taking care of your soul
Pinned
That is adorable! I saw an old rusty wagon at a flea market a few weeks ago and now wish I’d bought it! So cute!
Thank you, Erin! This one is even missing a handle but for some reason I just couldn’t part with it. I’m really glad I kept it now and I hope you find another one soon too. Hope you have a happy weekend, Coco
Coco, I love the rustic charm and that wheel barrow is fabulous and the flowers are just lovely. Enjoy your weekend, xo Lisa
Thanks so much Lisa, I hope you had an awesome weekend as well! Hugs, Coco
Coco, I am in love with your wheelbarrow garden! Such a fantastic idea! Thanks for linking up at Creative Spark! I’m featuring your gorgeous garden today 🙂
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You are so sweet, Emily, thank you so much! This totally made my day. I hope you’ve had an amazing weekend. Sending you happy hugs, Coco
This is such a fabulous DIY flower garden idea. It adds the perfect touches of both rustic and freshness all in one package!
CoCo,
I love this wheel barrow idea. I also have one with a flat tire and it’s so fun to fill it with flowers. So many great tips.
Your pretty wheelbarrow makes me wish I hadn’t given my family’s very old wheelbarrows away years ago. They must have been over 100 years old. Sob, what was I thinking! I must have been having a big clean up and a minimalist moment. I gave them to the roadside stall where we buy some produce, so I still see them once a week when I buy things and they look very pretty full of flowers each side of the stall.
I follow Thistle wood and just saw your post from there. Love it! Will be following from now on.
I’m in Australia, it’s autumn here and getting colder on the mountain where we live. My husband and I are both isolating at home with Covid, so I’m taking my aching body back to bed and reading a lot more of your posts.
Thank you
Lynne
Such sweet and kind words, Lynne, thank you so much! Every year I tell myself it’s time to let that old wheelbarrow go, and every year I just can’t seem to part with it yet. I’m thankful to be able to use it another year though. Those pink flowers make me happy every time I go out on our back patio. It’s nice to hear you get to visit your wheelbarrow once a week. It sounds like such a pretty way to display fruits and veggies. I’m so sorry to read you guys have Covid! I haven’t had it myself but several of my family members have had it and after watching them I know it’s not an easy thing to go through. Please take extra care of yourself and give yourself lots of TLC. It’s so important! I hope your week is rest and peace-filled week, CoCo
This is such a pretty idea for any outside space and what a practical way to re-use an old wheelbarrow! Plantings flowers is soothing and peaceful for me as well. Thanks so much for sharing this, CoCo! Sending love.
Thank you so much, Rachel! I swear every year I’m going to be able to finally let that old wheelbarrow go but for some reason, I just keep hanging on to it. Every morning I head out to water these pink blooms it just makes my heart happy. Hope you’re able to enjoy things that make your heart happy too. Sending you lots of love right back, CoCo
Absolutely gorgeous! I am hoping to find a gem like this to plant an herb garden.
Thanks so much, Alexandra! We’ve planted flowers in this wheelbarrow for many, many years and they always bring us joy. I hope you find one too – it’s definitely worth the effort! Hope you have the best week, CoCo
I had no idea that you couldn’t use regular mulch in Florida because of the termites. I just learned something new. I love how your wheel barrow turned out. It looks lovely with the petunias spilling over the side. It reminds me of an Anthropolgie storefront display.
Not look better than a chippy wheelbarrow overflowing with flowers. Can’t wait to share this on Sunday.