They Made A Charming Wheelbarrow Planter From Fallen Branches

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Wandering through lush garden beds bursting with flowers is food for the soul, and dedicated green thumbs are always looking for new ways to enhance the look, feel, and texture of plantings. That includes unique methods for containing and displaying living botanicals. There are any number of stunning DIY planter ideas you can steal from TikTok or elsewhere on the internet. For example, Márcia and Marcelo Gonçalves of Handmade! on YouTube have found a way to repurpose fallen branches and excess green shoots into an adorable, rustic DIY wheelbarrow planter. If you're wondering what to do with fallen tree branches in your yard, this garden waste upcycle keeps those branches out of the landfill.

This project doesn't require many tools. You'll need a drill for making pilot holes and a small, affordable handsaw kit from Amazon, like this Toolan 8-In-1 Multi Blades Hand Saw, Drywall, Hacksaw, Jab Saw and Wood Cutter Tool. Also get some safety glasses, gloves, nails, and spare bits of wood to use when you nail the frame together. To help your planter hold up to repeated waterings and the elements, you should also invest in some non-toxic garden box wood sealer and garden liner. Alternatively, a black plastic trash bag will do the job. Poke some holes in the liner and have some small rocks or bits of broken plant pots on hand to aid drainage. Now you're ready to gather branches from the yard and some pretty plants that grow well in containers.

First, gather long, thick branches that are relatively the same width for the frame and handle of this rustic wheelbarrow planter, two log slices for the wheels. You'll also need plenty of long, thin dry branches and green, flexible branches to create the base and sides of the wheelbarrow. If you don't have log slices, they can be purchased on Amazon, where a four-pack of William Craft Natural Round Log Discs costs about $27. Decide how long, wide, and deep you want your wheelbarrow to be, and cut the branches accordingly. You'll need four thick branches for the long end of the wheelbarrow's frame, four for the short ends, and another four for the corners. Lastly, you'll need two long branches that will eventually form the handles of the wheelbarrow and two pieces slightly longer than its width for the wheel axle.

Drill pilot holes in the branches, then hammer exterior-rated nails that are slightly longer than the branches are thick into each corner of the wheelbarrow. You've got the basic frame for your planter, and now it's time to weave the bottom and sides. Place a short branch vertically along the center of one side of the wheelbarrow, where it will anchor the long branches you'll weave horizontally over and under it. Tightly pack the branches against each other as you add new ones, trimming the overhang with branch pruning shears. Thin, green branches are easiest to weave with. Once all the sides are woven, finish trimming any remaining overhang and coat the entire wheelbarrow with wood sealant. You're nearly finished!

What's a wheelbarrow without its wheels? The base of this DIY wheelbarrow planter is essentially a long triangular handle with two wheels at the end connected by two axles. Like everything else, it's all made from foraged branches. Position the two axle pieces at right angles to the long branches that form the triangular handles, with their ends flush against the flat sides of the log-slice wheels, and nail the pieces together. Lastly, cross the ends of the handle's branches and nail them together — be sure not to leave any sharp metal poking out to hurt someone. Brush on a coat of wood sealer and, when it's dry, fit your wheelbarrow planter between the wheels. It should rest snugly on the axle. Now, you're ready to plant!

Line the box with the garden liner or a black trash bag and poke a few holes in it for drainage, if you haven't already. Pop the small rocks and bits of broken plant pots you gathered earlier inside to protect the holes. You could also use mesh tape. Choose a soil mix designed for your chosen plants. Consider fast-growing container plants in bright, eye-catching colors like cosmos, marigolds, cornflowers, and nasturtiums. If your planter will be in a sunny spot, try stunning plants that will thrive in containers in full sun, like geraniums, petunias, zinnia, verbena, and daisies. For something a little different, succulents do well in wood planters, which retain moisture without compromising drainage, keeping plants cool. Use a cactus soil mix and choose from the many succulents that thrive in outdoor environments. Once filled with plants, this cute wheelbarrow is a unique flower bed decor idea that will really stand out in your yard.