Repurposed Vintage Sink Planters
I have a thing for old sinks.
It doesn’t matter if they’re porcelain or metal or cast iron, I want them in my garden. John and I have been busy planting planters of all kinds… including these three sink planters.
Sinks can be a little tricky to plant in because they only have the one drainage hole.
If not careful it can get clogged up with soil, becoming flooded and causing your plant roots to rot.
Here’s the old porcelain farmhouse sink that I found at a garage sale last summer for $10. It’s quite large.
I left it in the garden over winter and it came through it beautifully. It probably helped that it was covered in snow.
A few weeds were already starting to grow in it.
I put some wire mesh screen in the bottom of the sink to cover the drainage hole.
This keeps it open for water to flow through it freely.
If it wasn’t there it would become clogged up with soil, and pretty soon there would be no drainage at all.
Then I put some gravel on top of the screen.
I filled my sink with good quality potting soil.
For me it has to have slow release fertilizer in it and moisture retaining particles .
These roots have taken on the shape of the bottom of the planter.
Even once it’s in the new soil the roots will continue to go round and round rather than out and down.
The roots need to be gently broken up, or scarified, so they know that they are free to roam in their new planter home.
This goes for all root bound plants, whether they’re annuals or perennials… large or small.
I have to say that I’m not really too gentle about this, and my plants always do very well.
In goes the plant, and I have instant beauty in the sink. This will fill in nicely and the flowers will pour over the edges.
Here’s my vintage metal sink that I brought home a couple of years ago from my mom’s cottage.
This is the supposedly annual ornamental grass that we planted in the centre of the flowers last year.
As you can see it came back, and it has grown quite a bit wider since last year.
Then I added my potting soil…
and another mixed hanging planter filled this one up nicely.
It wasn’t so beautiful with the remnants of last year’s dead plants still in it.
Pretty creepy looking actually.
I got this one for $1 last summer.
I filled it with potting soil after preparing the sink like the other two.
I think the sink will look great when the lobelia is in full bloom, and there’s more white than green so it looks like the dishes are in soap suds. I still need to find an old funky looking faucet.
So the next time you see a lovely old sink for a good price don’t pass it by. They make beautiful sink planters, adding another element of fun and interest to the garden… and repurposing them keeps these beauties out of the landfill. That’s a big plus in my books.
Also, having annuals in the gardens is a nice way to add summer-long colour while the blooms of different perennials come and go.
Don’t forget to pin it!
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
LOVE!!! I'm actually looking for a sink like to top one to use in my house, but it looks great filled with flowers!
Beautiful! You need now an old toilet to go with the sink and oh, don't forget a bath tub. :}
I have an old sink here that was given to me but think I will use it as a bird bath. I have a plug that covers the drain hole. All I need is to have hubby connect a PVC pipe to bottom of drainage hole so it can drain down in the ground when I pull the plug and then able to add fresh water for my fine feathered friends once again.
Don't know if you have in your area a Habitat for Humanity Store, if so, that would be a good place to look for an old faucet or an old farm house that may be torn down or check at a junk yard
I should had said salvage yard. A person says junk yard, they think of out cars and such.
Funny but I never see old sinks while I'm thrifting…..or maybe they are not on my mind to look for and that's why I don't see them! Yours look great and I love the idea of using a hanging plant to fill them up.
These are gorgeous! Especially the last one! I love all the different things one can see in yards with flowers in them. When I lived in California, I had a refrigerator go out, so I gutted the motor, etc, laid it on it's back and used the freezer section for mulch and planted bulbs in the 'fridge section. Pained the outside turquoise. I loved it! It would be mild to say my kids hated it! So I'll live vicariously through you, and the things you can plant in. Dona
Love the fridge in the garden! That's fabulous!! I've been looking for a vintage bathtub and toilet for quite some time. Maybe one day I'll find them and have my garden bathroom. lol. In the country we can get away with things like that. Nobody sees the backyard.
Tuula,
These are amazing and so unique. Great tips too. Have a wonderful week.
Kris
You have the best planters! They're so pretty!!! Thanks for the drainage tips. I just put holes in a half barrel and the soil closed the holes up. I should have known to put screen over the holes.
Wow I love this idea for a planter and they look so pretty. I would love it if you shared it at our new Cooking and Crafting with J & J link up party! Thanks for sharing this.
Julie xo
Very cool! I love old sinks too, and this heat and next will be devoted to sprucing up our disaster of a yard. I may have to put this idea into use someday.
Oops, that should be this 'year' not 'heat'. Auto correct sometimes gets weird.
Thanks so much Tuula for sharing this tutorial for making a sink planting at our Cooking and Crafting at J & J party. Have a wonderful week!
The sink planters look fantastic. Thanks for the tutorial. Good advice! There's an architectural antique store I love, and I might see if they have a small affordable sink and try this myself! Super post.
xo,
RJ
So pretty and so you, Tuula!
Oh Tuula, you are so clever! I simply LOVE your planters 🙂 Now I am going to be on the lookout for an old sink…
Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs to you!
Love your sink planters. Actually, I love anything to do with old sinks. Wish I could find one as cheap as you did!
Tuula, these are fabulous! Adding old sinks to my thrifting list 😉
What a great idea. And they already have a draining system in place.
Amalia
xo
Ha! What a CUTE idea!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
I love this idea! I've seen them before with their pedestals, but I never thought of just using the sink part. Love the green one too. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.
I love then things can get repurposed. Lovely idea!
Si have never thought about planting in my sink potting bench but I love the look! Thanks for sharing!
What clever ideas… those sinks look so fun… especially the first one… so pretty. 🙂
My goodness. I just saw an old sink at a yard sale today, and thought… aww, what could I use it for, lol! How wonderful to see your post, and I love your idea of the screen over the sink hole to allow for drainage. Your way with vintage sinks is lovely, and I thank you for your inspiration!!!
I'd not thought about a sink for a planter, but now after seeing your beauties, I'll be on the lookout!
Just lovely, and thanks for the advice on the root bound plants. I think I have quite a few!
Hugs,
Patti
I will have to make do with enjoying your beautiful planters – the intense heat wave in place here has killed all but the most hardy plants. Love the old fashion sink, but the last one is my favorite. I have a urinal I plant!
What a cool idea and the end product is so pretty!
By the way, I'd love to invite you post on my new blog hop—the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home (www.myflagstaffhome.com). It begins on Thursday evenings and lasts all weekend, if you're interested.
Jennifer
Love them all Tuula! I have one very old and very heavy one planted in my garden and I love it! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Yet another fabulous garden project from you Tuula. These are so unique and so much fun!!
I love unique planters in the garden! These are super cute. Featured you at Be Inspired this morning. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Tuula, just hopping back to let you know that you will be featured at SYC this week.
hugs,
Jann
Just beautiful Tuula !
I remember when you bought that porcelain one last year !
( LOVE the dishes in there too – so unique )
I have everything in the garden EXCEPT the kitchen sink LOL – but I'm on the look out for one!
XOX
Hi Tuula!
I love the idea of planting the sinks! Something I never thought of! The dishes in with the lobelia is perfect! Do you just place the sinks randomly around your yard?
Thanks Florence! The sinks are placed in different gardens. They’re planted with annuals and add colour among the perennials all summer long.