Large Metal Planters
Buy the best large metal planters selected and recommended by interior designers. By Tara Gosselin.
If you have a horse trough lying around but no longer own horses, that why not repurpose it into a lovely metal planter? Large metal planters are a wonderful idea in the realm of recycling sizable, deep metal containers for green uses. Just add some dirt or potting soil to your large metal planter, and grow something that will benefit the world, while also making your landscaping pop.
Large Metal Planters
Buying Guide
Tara Gosselin
Interior Design Expert
Tara is a San Antonio-based award-winning landscape architect, writer and educator, passionate about eco-friendly solutions and growing her own food. She knows all it takes to help you create a sustainable backyard retreat that combines blissful charm with a modern take on landscaping.
If you have limited growing space for plants, you might want to try your hand at container gardening. Large metal planters can be a good choice for planting vegetable and root crops that require deep soil for good growth. In addition, if you walk through any department or hobby store, you are probably aware that galvanized containers of all sorts are “in” this year. They go well with shabby chic, are relatively inexpensive, and are durable.
You can pick up large, metal planters at a very reasonable price compared to terra cotta or concrete planters. They are comparatively lightweight, are easy to clean up in the autumn after harvest and come in styles ranging from very plain to ornate. Galvanized zinc tubs are probably the least expensive metal planters, while inlaid copper or brass can be quite expensive but very beautiful.
The biggest problem with metal planters is that they can heat up very quickly. If the plants inside are not properly insulated, overheating can damage their roots. The heat can also cause the soil to dry out more quickly than other types of planters. If you are using conventional metal containers, such as trash cans or cattle troughs as your planters, you might get complaints from the neighbors. Check ordinances before planting.
One way to combat the tendency of large metal planters to heat up is to place a liner pot inside the metal container – inexpensive plastic pots will work. Leave some space between the inner pot and the outer one so that air can circulate. Raise the metal container off the ground to allow air to circulate beneath it, as well. Plant heat-loving plants in your metal planters, such as cacti or succulents. Add trailing vines around the edges of the planter to shade the metal and slow the heating process. Group pots so that they shade each other or place them where they will receive some protection from the sun for at least part of each day.
Not all metal planters are made from galvanized metal. Some are made from brass or brushed copper. These can be amazingly beautiful and add conversational value to your garden. You should also be aware, however, that brass and copper can require more maintenance than galvanized tin, and have higher theft appeal. Like their less expensive counterparts, brass and copper pots also warm up quickly in the sun, which means an insulating liner will make it easier to grow plants in them.
Large metal planters can be a splendid way to disguise the hay bale for your hay bale garden – and the hay can help with insulating plant roots from heat. All metal planters benefit from a continuous watering plan, which helps keep plant roots moist and helps with the cooling process. If you are successful with your gardening, a cluster of metal planters can be an amazing sight.