Gardener Shares Photo Of Clever Way They're Using An Old Wine Rack: 'What An Awesome Idea'

There are plenty of creative ways to use a wine rack that don't include alcohol. Some include repurposing one for craft storage, turning an old wine rack into a jewelry organizer, or even setting one up in your backyard as a planter. As one crafty gardener demonstrated on Reddit, it's easy to transform a wooden wine rack into a balcony-friendly vertical garden in just a few steps. As the DIYer enthused, it's "super easy and affordable" and only requires a couple of basic supplies.

When sizing the rack to your space, you may need to stack a couple in order to achieve an ideal height. Combining a pair of wine racks into a rectangular planter will up the project's visibility, plus allow you to add more plants. While it's enough to simply place one on top of the other, securing the two wine racks together with wire or a few nails will make the DIY sturdier.

Next, place the rack on a flat surface and line the back with chicken wire, then add two layers of landscaping fabric. This will help keep the soil in place while also allowing drainage. Prop up the structure and start by gently filling the open squares (where the wine bottles would normally be placed) with soil, then add seeds, seedlings, or plants. While it may seem like a mess waiting to happen, the horizontal slats should keep the soil from shifting downwards, while the fabric backing will stop it from falling out that way.

Among the many brilliant ways to repurpose a wine rack in your yard or garden, this is one of the most versatile, as it's also suitable for apartment balconies and small patios. The vertical garden doesn't require a lot of room to thrive, but it does deliver a big aesthetic punch.

When choosing what to actually plant, look for varieties that thrive in small spaces, require minimal watering, and have shallow roots, so they won't need much soil. Succulents and cacti are great options and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any decor. Aloe vera is another strong contender, as are fine herbs, like oregano and thyme. When it is time to water, using a squirt bottle or watering can will help ensure the soil isn't accidentally displaced. Alternatively, some gardeners also found success with a hose and sprayer attachment.

Fellow gardeners were quick to praise this DIY as an awesome idea, calling it both "beautiful" and "gorgeous." However, one Redditor struggled to keep the soil from falling out of the front of their wine rack. To fix this, they placed a piece of landscaping cloth over the front, then cut 'X' shapes into the fabric to allow the plants to come through and grow.