Tag: dolly tubs

Gimme Five! Metal planters

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selection of galvanised metal planters

Lots of the plants in our garden are in need of potting on. In the past couple of years, some of the plants have become pot-bound, crying out for a bit of leg room. We used to have lots of lovely terracotta pots but after a couple of harsh, cold winters most of them have cracked and shattered.

Little by little, we’ve been replacing the terracotta with more hardy galvanised versions. We’re in the market for quite a few more metal planters. We love vintage dolly tubs but they can be quite dear – some fetching about the £50 mark.

Galvanised metal planters looks great in groups of different sizes and shapes and some have lovely corrugated patterns. Here are some of the best ones we’ve found.

  1. Fallen Fruits balcony zinc rectangular planter: £13.99, Wayfair
  2. Two aged zinc troughs – £45, Cox & Cox
  3. Single galvanised pot: from £2.99, Crocus
  4. SOCKER plant pot: £6.50, IKEA
  5. Galvanised iron planter: £7.95, by Ella James on Notonthehighstreet

Kerb Appeal!

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pair of galvanised dolly tubs and large tin bath prepared for planting

Way back in March we decided to plant up an old tin bath that was in the back garden just taking up space and the front of the house was in need of a bit more kerb appeal.

pair of galvanised dolly tubs and large tin bath just planted with rosemary and lavender

We already had two dolly tubs planted up outside the front door and we thought that the long bath would look prefect between them, under the window. We decided that the grey of the galvanised planters would really complement the silvery green of plants like lavender and rosemary.

pair of galvanised dolly tubs and large tin bath with rosemary and lavender being grown in them

Here they are in late summer – over a foot tall, in full flower, with the Virginia creeper either side turning that beautiful crimson! How do you think it looks?

Our next project will involve reinstating the iron railings that once enclosed the front of the house. This will provide a contained, private space for lots more containers then!

Forthcoming Attractions: early June 2012

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selection of vintage garden items including canvas seated chair, terracotta pots, 3 large reels of jute twine, hand painted fish & chip shop signs and tin dolly tub and bath

We went to one of our ‘bygones’ auctions last weekend – so this Forthcoming Attractions post has a lovely, vintage, outdoors-y feel. The lots up for sale were gathered from farms, barns, yards, outbuildings & allotments.

tin dolly tub and bath from a selection of vintage garden items

We often come back with some galvanised metal containers – baths, dolly tubs and buckets. They’re ideal candidates for a bit of upcycling – functioning as planters, water butts or general storage containers.

tin dolly tub and buckets containing hostas large tin bath containing lavender shrubs

The price of dolly tubs in particular has increased quite markedly in recent years, although we can understand why. Not only do they look great with their ribbed, patterned sides – they’re multi-functional and there’s no chance of frost shattering. We’ve just put one in our Picture House Antiques pitch where we try to keep a corner that has a vintage cottage garden or wash house look.

stack of terracotta pots from a selection of vintage garden items

We bought a good quantity of terracotta pots. We’ll keep half as we’re running a bit short ourselves – the others will go into the shop. They have this lovely, aged colour – much paler than new terracotta – and are ideal for use inside or out.

three large reels of jute twine from a selection of vintage garden items

All our future twine needs have been satisfied with these huge rolls – probably used for bailing hay or straw in days gone by. It’s perfect for kitchen or garden use too. We’ve put a couple of large rolls in our shop – and have also broken one of them down into much smaller balls of twine which have been selling well already.

set of four wood and canvas camp chairs from a selection of vintage garden items

Next we have this excellent set of folding beech & striped canvas chairs. They’re perfect for picnics or camping – or they could be just the thing to keep in the summer house or shed – providing a welcome seat to rest those weary legs after a long day’s gardening – glass of something chilled in hand to admire your efforts!

two hand painted wooden fish and chip shop signs from a selection of vintage garden items

We’re happy with all the day’s purchases, but these vintage fish & chip shop signs might just be our favourite. We think they’re charming. We see them working really well as a quirky wall decoration in the kitchen, seaside chalet or even beach hut.

Fish & chips with tea, bread & butter for 2 shillings (or 10 new pence) – those were the days!