How to Use a Galvanized Tub as a Planter

Paint the outside of the galvanized tub with an acrylic. Select a color that will showcase any painted designs that you add later. For example, light green, light blue, lavender, yellow and white will make painted vines and flowers pop. Let the paint dry. Skip this step if you prefer the natural metal look.

Tape stencils to the outside of the planter. Fill in the cutouts with acrylic paint using an almost-dry stencil brush. Filling in stencils works best with a minimum amount of paint on the brush. This keeps the paint from running and ruining the design. Swirl the paint from the outside of the cutout to the center. Remove the stencils and let the paint dry. Skip this step if you wish.

Turn the tub upside down. Drill 1/4-inch holes every 4 inches through the bottom of the tub using a drill bit rated for metal. The holes provide adequate drainage for your plants.

Flip the galvanized tub upright. Line the bottom with open coffee filters. Coffee filters are biodegradable and will stop the potting soil from escaping the planter. There's no need to tape the filters in place; just lay them over the holes.

Put down a 1-inch layer of gravel. The gravel will help the planter retain moisture. Fill the tub 2/3 full with potting soil if you are planting mature flowers, or fill it to within 3 inches of the top if you are planting seedlings.

Remove the plants from the grow containers and plant them in the potting soil. Fill around mature plants with more potting soil. Water the plants. Fertilize as appropriate.