https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-planters-from-old-gutters • Posted by Jane W.
I had my guttering system replaced recently, because it was too old and couldn't provide the needed protection to my roof. But after the installation of the new gutters was done, I was left with the big question what to do with the old ones? My first instinct was to throw them away, but I really like to create beautiful things from something old and rusty, so I decided to leave them be until I decide what to do with them. After some considerations the gutter cleaning team I hired suggested to make planters from them and attach them to the walls of the house. At first I was reluctant to the idea, but after I did some research, I realised that this actually looks quite nice and can be an amazing addition to the house. And I was right. Creating the planters themselves was very easy, and hanging them to the wall was a little more difficult. But after some effort I managed to do it! And this is how I did it.
I had my guttering system replaced recently, because it was too old and couldn't provide the needed protection to my roof. But after the installation of the new gutters was done, I was left with the big question what to do with the old ones? My first instinct was to throw them away, but I really like to create beautiful things from something old and rusty, so I decided to leave them be until I decide what to do with them. After some considerations the gutter cleaning team I hired suggested to make planters from them and attach them to the walls of the house. At first I was reluctant to the idea, but after I did some research, I realised that this actually looks quite nice and can be an amazing addition to the house. And I was right. Creating the planters themselves was very easy, and hanging them to the wall was a little more difficult. But after some effort I managed to do it! And this is how I did it.
Find a suitable guttering. Not every gutter will work for your gutter planter project. Some gutters are just too old and damaged, and they can't hold anything in them. This is why I picked only the parts of the gutter which are still whole and suitable for this task. And if you want to create such planters, but you're not planning on replacing your gutters any time soon, you can always ask around your neighbours or post an ad online. You'll be surprised what kind of things some people sell or give away. I'm sure you'll find a suitable gutter very quickly.
Clean the gutters. Before you start planting anything inside the gutter, you should first make sure it's completely clean. This means it should be cleaned from all the grime, dirt, fallen leafs, flaking paint and everything else. You definitely don't want to contaminate the new soil with some old one, which could be filled with dangerous bacteria. So, first pick up a hose and wash the gutters from a really close range, so the bigger pieces of dirt can fall off. Then remove all the leftover dirt using a scrubbing brush and some soapy water.
The next step is to paint the guttering. It's an optional step, but you should definitely think about protecting the gutters somehow, especially if they are made from metal. Rust is a serious issue there, and paint helps a little. You can choose a colour that matches your exterior walls or the fence. Paint only the exterior parts of the gutters, since the soil will be placed on the inside part. It's not only pointless to paint the inside part, but it's also quite dangerous for the plants.
Pick up a drill and make a few small holes down through the entire length of the gutter. This is done in order to provide drainage for the water after watering or after a strong rain.
Select a proper hanging spot. The best part about these gutter planters is, that you can hang them from all kinds of places. So, if you want to display your DIY planters made from old gutters on your fence or the garden wall, pick a part of your garden which gets enough sun all day long and is not exposed to strong winds. Another option is to hang the gutter planters off your exterior walls. Just make sure that this doesn't ruin the overall appearance of your home. Measure the space and cut the guttering if needed, in order to fit it perfectly into the spot.
Attach the guttering to the place you've chosen. All you need to do is screw the gutters to the wall or fence. In order to do that, first you'll need to drill holes though the gutters, align them with the fence or the wall, and drill holes in the exact same positions. To make it more stable and keep the guttering in place, just add a few screws.
Add suitable soil. Once the painted and cleaned gutters are attached, you should fill them with a quality and suitable growing soil. Fill only about three quarters of the space with soil, because the plants will grow better protected by the gutter. Add some fertilizer, if needed.
The gutters are not a deep system, so you won't be able to plant absolutely everything in them. This is why you should pick plants, which have shallow roots, like strawberries, lettuce, radishes, cactuses, some herbs, and other shallow rooted plants. Also some small annuals can be planted in a gutter planter, and they will bring some colour to your outdoor space.