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I’ve always been inspired when I see how other gardeners use found objects to add personality to their gardens. When old items are repurposed as garden art, it adds whimsy and interest – and it’s a great way to recycle! I’m especially fond of the old leatherwork boot my mother-in-law planted with a selection of hens and chicks. That boot definitely added some “kick” to her rock garden.
 During its Urban Nature Exhibit, the Denver Botanic Gardens showed visitors how easy and aesthetically pleasing it can be to take ordinary castoffs and combine them with unique plantings. Photo Credit: Jodi Torpey  An old ladder-back chair placed in the landscape adds interest to winter and early spring gardens… Photo Credit: Jodi Torpey  …and then functions as a support for Mexican Hat coneflowers growing through the missing seat. Photo Credit: Jodi Torpey  An old washbasin gets a new lease on life as a beautiful planter. Photo Credit: Jodi Torpey
The old Radio Flyer red wagons she’s added to the landscape are both fun and functional. They especially come in handy whenever she needs to move heavy bags of potting soil, gardening tools or pots of flowers around the yard.
Repurposing found objects for artistic expression keeps material out of landfills and is another way for gardeners to personalize their environment. I’ve seen gardeners put an antique iron headboard to use by planting petunias with it for a real “bed” of flowers. One gardener I know even took a worthless, old milking pail, placed it on its side at the top of a small bed and planted it with white flowers spilling out and down the hill.
All it takes is a bit of imagination and a knack for looking at ordinary objects in a new way. A colorful cracked ceramic teapot may have outlived its usefulness in the kitchen, but it can have a rewarding second life as a patio planter for herbs. A weathered wooden chair missing its seat can become a focal point in the garden when it’s used to prop up droopy plants.
The best part about it all is that there aren’t any rules for turning trash into garden treasure – but there are a few guidelines. First, make sure the items are sturdy enough to stand up to all kinds of weather. And avoid glass if there’s any chance for breakage.
If you’re going to use an old object as a planter, be sure you can drill holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. Also, consider how serviceable it’ll be: When filled with potting soil and plants, will your “new” planter weigh too much to be moved easily? Is it large enough to keep plants from drying out? Will it add interest during all four seasons or only when it’s planted?
Of course, when putting old metal washbasins, watering cans and coffee tins to use, safety should come first (meaning sharp edges are a no-no). Even though broken stoneware can make a lovely garden edging, it can be hazardous to bare feet and paws.
When you use antique tools or gardening implements to decorate a space, make sure they’re securely fastened to a fence or hanger. If you’re handling any rusty farm paraphernalia, take extra care around those sharp edges that can scratch or cut.
Old painted pieces like wooden doors and window frames can present a hazard, too. These antiques have often been coated with lead-based paints, which will contaminate soil and any edibles that grow there.
Keeping these points in consideration, just about anything can be turned into a work of garden art. Inspiration can be drawn from everyday flea market finds and tag-sale treasures. It wasn’t until recently I discovered there’s a French term for an object that’s been artistically repurposed: objet trouvé. That’s such a lovely-sounding name, it makes a commode planted with flowers overflowing the bowl sound downright fancy!
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