A DIY Recycled Vertical Garden

Chandelier Planter

• 1

  Purchase an old chandelier from a flea market or garage sale. Be sure the chandelier is a candelabra style, featuring large candle bases.

• 2

  Place your chandelier on top of polyethylene sheeting on the ground outside.

• 3

  Spray paint your chandelier in a color of your choosing, using an exterior metal paint with a rust inhibitor. There is no need to prime the chandelier, if you want a shabby chic look.

• 4

  Allow it to dry.

• 5

  Choose terra cotta or clay pots with bases that are slightly larger than the candelabra bases.

• 6

  Caulk plant pots to the candelabra bases of the chandelier. Use polyurethane caulk, as it adheres to porous substrates, such as clay or terra cotta and works exceptionally well with metal.

• 7

  Allow caulk to dry.

• 8

  Place pebbles at the bottom of each pot, one-third of the way up. This allows for inside drainage.

• 9

  Hang the chandelier planters on your porch or balcony, using a ceiling or extended wall hook, and place your favorite plants inside.

Tire Planter

• 10

  Purchase used tires from your local junk yard or tire shop. You can often find them for less than $5 a piece.

• 11

  Remove grease and grime from the tires using a tire degreaser. Paint sticks better to a clean surface.

• 12

  Spray paint the tires using a heavy-duty paint that will work on rubber. Home improvement stores sell such paints.

• 13

  Allow the paint to dry.

• 14

  Place 6-inch J-hook wall hangers onto your wall or fence at the height at which you want your tires to hang.

• 15

  Suspend your tires from the hook, so that the bottom inside portion of the tire forms a sort of pocket in which you can place your favorite plants.

• 16

  Place soil in the tire and plant.

Polystyrene Planter

• 17

  Retrieve a rectangular polystyrene box from your local grocery store or wherever fresh meats are sold.

• 18

  Cut out a piece of black, landscapers’ waterproof plastic to fit inside the box, covering the bottom and all four sides. This ensures your planter remains waterproof.

• 19

  Glue the lid to the box using foam glue. Foam glue can be purchased at any craft store.

• 20

  Cut out a rectangular opening at the top of the foam box using a kitchen or utility knife. The opening should run the length of the top, leaving a half inch on all four sides.

• 21

  Cut out 2.5-inch diameter holes on one of the long sides of the polystyrene box. Depending on the size of your box, you will add five to 10 holes.

• 22

  Place two small holes on the backside of the planter that faces the wall. Make these holes a half inch in diameter and place them at the top corners of the box.

• 23

  Insert slits into the landscapers plastic where your planting holes are located.

• 24

  Hang your planter by attaching the anchor screws into the wall, using a drill and drill bit.

• 25

  Start filling the planter with soil, until you get to the first set of holes at the bottom of the box.

• 26

  Insert plants, root first, into the holes.

• 27

  Add more dirt, until you get to the second set of holes. Then, place plants, root first, inside the holes.

• 28

  Continue until you have filled the planter with soil. Place water inside the planter.