This spring planter idea was written 4 years ago! I love different container gardens and this one is big but not expensive. It is cute and a wonderful way to have a larger flower planter this summer. I’ve republished because I still love this planter!
Are you looking for a fun and funky new planter? Do you want a more unique planter? But, don’t want to spend a fortune? One that you can customize a bit? Here is what I did. 
I have these on my deck. 
Not very exciting, is it? When the flowers are really full grown this actually does look good. Not great, but good. We had to build the wood box to cover the dryer vent and guide the lint under the deck. It’s an unusual size and fairly large. The large planters I was looking at cost hundreds of dollars. So I just bought smaller, cheap ones and filled the space. I’d be willing to spend hundreds on furniture that I’d have for years, but not a planter. A container who’s main job is to hold dirt. Who has a limited amount of useful time each year since I live in Wisconsin. I was wandering around my local big box hardware store and saw an aluminum washtub. Basically a big oval aluminum pail type thing. It was priced around $29. I went home, took some measurements and needed something just a few inches bigger. Was at my local TJ Max and saw the perfect one! I didn’t hesitate and bought it right away. I’ve learned that others will also covet your treasure and it will be gone in a few minutes. 
I did think it looked a little plain so I dug around my garage and found some sisal rope. Perfect! I hot glued some on and I think it really adds to the look. 
My planter will be in a shady area of my deck and last year I liked the look of a hosta and red geraniums. It really brightens up a shady area. The hostas will grow big and will look so beautiful. And the geraniums, they will be such a pretty splash of red. Oh, I can’t wait! Now, just a couple of words of advice. Make sure you have drainage. All I did was use a nail and hammer to make a few holes on both sides. 
And, I put some plastic containers in so that they would help me save on soil (and make the planter lighter). 
I’m so excited to watch this planter grow and fill in!
It’s so much nicer than what I had before! And it didn’t cost me a fortune. Just adding the sisal rope made it look so much prettier, don’t you think? Have you come up with any great looking planters? 
Thank you! I’ve started following your blog and love your Garden Tip Tuesday.
Nice. Galvanized planters are very popular. I like the added rope detail too.