Things You'll Need:
- Soap and water solution
- Sandpaper
- Hammer
- Chisel
- Primer
- Spray paint
- Potting soil
- Flowers
- Water
- Mulch
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Step 1
Decide where you want to place your wheel barrel. Sketch out your design and basic goal.
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Step 2
Clean the wheel barrel using a simple soap and water solution. If the wheel barrel is chipping or peeling, sand down the inside with sandpaper to smooth out the surface.
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Step 3
Spray paint the outer surface of the wheel barrel. Apply one coat of primer and two to three coats of spray paint in your favorite color. Allow to dry for 24 hours. Rust-proof and affordable, spray paint is long-lasting and can withstand the elements.
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Step 4
Pick out perennial plants, which will regrow every year, in bright colors and textures to plant inside the wheel barrel. Use larger plants in the back of the barrel, with smaller creeping vines in the front. Over time, the plants will grow down the barrel, creating an attractive cascade.
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Step 5
Use a hammer and chisel to poke small holes, about 2 inches wide, in the bottom of the wheel barrel. This provides proper drainage when you water the plants.
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Step 6
Fill half the barrel with potting soil. Plant the perennials inside the barrel. Fill the remaining part of the barrel with potting soil and gently press down to secure the plants inside the dirt. Leave 1 inch around the base of the plants free of soil to allow the roots to breathe.
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Step 7
Give the plants a good soak with water, making sure that the excess drains out the bottom. During the warmer months, add a thin layer of mulch on top of the soil to keep it moist.
