As
spring approaches, most gardeners pour over seed catalogs, dreaming about new
plants to add to their landscapes. I am no exception, but while it’s still too
cold to get outside and get my hands in the dirt, I like to use the time to
treasure hunt for unusual vintage pieces to use in our garden and on the
porch. One of my favorite staples is
wooden crates. Sturdy, colorful boxes
serve multiple uses, and they pair well with herbs and flowers.
Large crates can be placed on the
patio and filled with any combination of plants. Arrange a variety of sizes of crates on a
step or in a corner to make a lovely vignette.
You can also turn a crate upside down as a display base to create height
for a potted plant. Boxes with dividers
such as soda crates are great for displaying individual, small pots or starting
seedlings. They also make handy carriers
for multiple small vases.
If you turn a crate on its side and
attach the bottom end to a fence or wall, you will have an instant display
shelf for potted plants, garden statuary, or birdhouses.
They are also handy receptacles for garden
gloves, hand tools, and seed packets.
If you take your veggies or flowers to the farmer’s market, crates make
sturdy carriers and appealing staging backdrops once you arrive at the market.
When looking for crates at antique
stores or shows, make sure the crates aren’t stained with grease or other
hard-to-remove substances, and test their construction for sturdiness. Look for boxes with colorful fruit labels or
graphics that pop. Make sure the depth
of the crate is appropriate if you plan to add plants. Deeper crates are better for full season
plants, while shallow depths are appropriate for short season crops like
lettuce or spinach.
Once you get your
crate home, protect it from soil and water by lining the inside with a black,
plastic bag cut to fit. Add about an
inch of pebbles and horticultural charcoal in the bottom before pouring in soil
to filter water and keep the crate from staining or retaining odor. When the season is over, be sure to give your
crates a good cleaning and store them inside for protection from the weather.
As you get ready to plant this year,
“think inside the box” for a fun and functional vintage touch in your
garden.
