Turn A Shoe Organizer Into The Perfect Garden Bed That Won't Cost An Arm And A Leg
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The cost of pots and planters can really add up, especially when you're looking to create a large, varied plant display. Luckily, you can DIY your own for a fraction of the cost. While it may not seem instantly obvious, there are several brilliant ways to repurpose fabric shoe caddies in the garden, including planting your favorite flowers, herbs, and even small veggies. As one simple but smart TikTok hack demonstrates, a cheap hanging shoe organizer (just $10 for an Amazon Basics shoe caddy) can quickly be turned into a horizontal planter for your patio or backyard.
Start by choosing an organizer with wiring reinforcement, so that it will keep its shape when you place it on its back on the ground. If the organizer you plan to use is made of fabric, this will allow moisture to pass through, so you can begin filling it with planting soil. Alternatively, if it's a plastic version, poke about five small pencil-sized holes in the sides of each compartment to allow for aeration. Next, fill each chamber with the potting mix best suited to the plants you plan to grow, leaving 3 inches of empty space at the top. You can either start from seeds or replant small seedlings — just remember to select plants that won't grow too large for the organizer and have relatively short roots. Fast-growing herbs, like rosemary and oregano, as well as compact vegetables, like radish and romaine lettuce, are particularly suited to this project.
How to use a fabric shoe organizer as a handy plant pot
To really customize this project to your needs, start by creating a rough plan of the plants you hope to grow inside your DIY planter. This way, you'll be able to choose a shoe organizer with dimensions best suited to your vision. For example, if 8 tiers are too many to fill, Amazon also offers a smaller option with just 6 compartments. Alternatively, you could go all out with a 24-section model that gives you room to leave a couple of openings empty to store all of your gardening tools, plant food, and even a small watering can. What's more, pay attention to the dimensions of each compartment as they can vary quite a bit, ranging from small 6-inch squares to 12-inch rectangles.
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Once filled with soil and your plants of choice, water each compartment once until the ground is drenched, then adopt a regular schedule, avoiding common watering mistakes, like too much water too frequently. Depending on where you place your DIY planter, you can leave it as-is or cover it with netting to keep pesky critters out. If you're feeling inspired to keep crafting, consider pairing your DIY with an old shoe rack turned into a useful solution for garden plants. Simply use the rungs to suspend budding plants in their plastic pots before transferring them to your shoe organizer as space frees up.