Galvanized Planters: Whose Idea Was This?
Once again, I pose the question I’ve heard many bloggers ask: Are we getting ideas from Pottery Barn, or or they getting ideas from us? It makes you wonder when you see them offer products like these galvanized planters:
The fact is, I’ve been using one of these for years now to hold my zinnias that I like to plant every year & I know some of you have probably done this, too. I first started using mine because it was huge enough to hold all my flowers & I didn’t want to spend a fortune for a planter that size. I bought mine way-back-when at a farm supply (yes, we have a lot of these in Tennessee) for around $7 or $8. I’m not sure what they are going for now, but I’m sure they’re cheaper than the $79 Pottery Barn is charging (yikes- & I think mine is bigger!).If you want to use one as a planter, all you need to do is drill a few drainage holes in the bottom. They’re nice in their original galvanized finish, but I like them painted as well. I had painted mine black with a little checker-board border when I first got it, but after weathering 8 or 9 summers & winters, it needed a make-over, so I went for a sunny yellow spray paint.
Just before I started to paint, I thought about adding a chalk-board label on the side for a little personality. I had a suspicion that the original black paint might act like a chalkboard, so I tried it & it worked! So, it saved me a step by not having to use chalkboard paint. 
I used a piece of adhesive paper, cut into the shape of an oval to mask off the part I wanted for the “label”. Then, I sprayed one coat of primer & a few coats of the yellow. 
When I removed the oval, it also removed a little more of the original black, but I actually like it better that way. (I love a good accidental design element).
Within 45 minutes (I hardly ever give anything time to dry), it was on my patio, with my zinnias planted in it.
I wrote a little No. 3 on the label because it just seemed like something Pottery Barn would do. I mean, if they can copy me, I can copy them, too right?
I’m linking this to a few of these link parties. Check them out!
June 21, 2010 @ 12:34 pm
Super cute! As a fellow country girl we've been using galvanized buckets for years as well. I even use smaller ones for flatware and napkins for outdoor entertaining!
June 21, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
Definitely gonna revamp mine now too!
June 21, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
I have the same pail, painted the same color and I use it for storage. Im going home and drilling a few holes in it and fill it with flowers! Great idea!! Love it!
~Tana
June 21, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
I feel the same way about PB…I see their stuff and say, "I already did that one=)"
Thanks for the encouragement last night, I needed it!
Love your adorable planters, can you still get them at the farm supply for a few dollars?
June 21, 2010 @ 3:14 pm
Hey Julie!
I too have plants in a galvanized planter. I bought mine from a seed supply/nursery just down the street from me. It wasn't that nice matte galvanized it was shiny, so I painted it white and filled it with herbs. 🙂 I have a big ol galvanized tub in my backyard that I placed under my gutter to catch rainwater…doesn't rust and works like a charm!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and checking out my sconces. Oh girl, if you haven't used Krylons Oil Rubbed Bronze paint yet, you HAVE to go try it. It has such depth in the color! I LOVE it! 🙂 I just used it again this morning on yet another project. (and I forgot to take before pictures! UGH! I get so excited about a project that I forget to take them!)
Oh well. 🙂
Hope you have a blessed week!
Missy
June 21, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Love your tub. It looks fabulous painted yellow, and the #3 is just the perfect touch. Great job. Hugs, Marty
June 21, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
JULIE…I ADORE your planter! I love your little accident too! Zinnia's are one of my favorite cut flowers…they last FOREVER! I love Hydrangeas cut to but they don't last.
Thanks for your sweet comment on my nook cushion! 😉 NEW follower!
June 21, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
Okay, so I realized 2 things. 1. I am already a follower…DUH!
2. I didn't say anything about PB! I AGREE, they HAVE to have people scouring blogs for ideas, it just makes sense. We copy off each other , tit for tat! I've had an old milk carrier for several years now. I put blue ball jars in it with silver ware or individual blossoms for parties. I also put antiqu milk bottles in it as well and do the same thing. I don't even KNOW how much PB's is but it's a lot more than mine~!
June 21, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
I'm loving these!
June 21, 2010 @ 4:13 pm
That looks amazing!!!!! My mother n law just picked one up from a garage sale for me!! Haven't done anything with it yet.
June 21, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
love it! I have been blessed with old washtubs, milk buckets, milk cans from family. (Good 'ol East TN farming families!) I enjoy having them around. I even have an old coal bucket of Mamaw's that I use as a magazine/book holder in the bathroom. =)
June 21, 2010 @ 6:21 pm
Looks great!!!!!!! Love it!
June 21, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
I absolutely love this. Wish I had a bigger porch to display something like this!!
June 21, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
I want one of those! Maybe you should just save PB the trouble and email your ideas to them first hand? lol It should at least be good for a finders fee? 🙂 BTW, the yellow front porch planter (and it's number) is a winner; it really looks welcoming. Following you now thru Motivate Me Monday. Pam @ Sallygoodin
June 22, 2010 @ 2:13 am
i just got a tub like this, and i got it for this purpose! thanks for the great inspiration pic, then.
June 22, 2010 @ 3:23 am
This looks great! I can't wait to try! 🙂
June 22, 2010 @ 4:09 pm
I have been searching high and low for such buckets for so long in my area.No success.Yours look pretty.Love the bright and happy yellow.
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog.
June 22, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
I love it! Looks fantastic and I'm glad I'm not the only one that never lets the paint dry!
June 22, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
Hi! I found you over at All things Related and had to come and see your bucket make over! It really turned out awesome!! I'd love to have you join me at my garden party and bring your bucket to link up! It starts tomorrow at http://keeninspirations.blogspot.com. We'll have lots of great projects and some fun giveaways!
Hope you can make it!
Sharon
June 22, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
This is really, REALLY pretty! I love the light yellow! It is so cheery!
June 23, 2010 @ 12:19 am
Visiting from All Thingz Related. This is a really good idea. I love the color and the flowers look great in it.
June 23, 2010 @ 2:12 pm
Adorable! And a fun post too.
June 24, 2010 @ 11:46 am
i love this! I really need to get a tub like that
June 26, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
Very cute. I like how the old paint looks scuffed up too in contrast to the new paint job.
Cheri
June 28, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
It's wonderful!
Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related!
July 6, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
I might have to go out to the farm store soon to make one of these i LOVE them! Thank you for sharing!
July 10, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
I love these! I am bookmarking this to work on after my new patio gets poured next week. Thanks for stopping by my glob recently.
May 7, 2011 @ 4:28 pm
They look so cute all painted out. I have some in just their original finish. I'd love to find one like that oval one. I will have to check our feed store in town. 🙂
April 6, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
Looks great! Love that pop of yellow.