Using Upcycled Vintage Junk for Garden Decor
I love taking vintage items, or junk as some of us call it, and upcycling them, or using them "as is" in my flower gardens as decor pieces. My hubs and I like to go to flea markets and estate sales and that is where I find most of my junk pieces.
Let's use this old milk can as an example. Milk cans were originally used in the early 19th century in the U.S. by dairy farmers. We found this one at a flea market several years ago.
I brought it home and just plopped it in my garden, even though I thought it was exceptionally ugly. I knew I would eventually paint it.
The process of painting the milk can was super simple. Basically, I cleaned it up by giving it a quick going over with a wire brush and some medium grit sand paper. Then I sprayed it down with the hose and then let it dry in the sun. After it dried, I placed it on newspaper in the driveway and gave it a light spray of cobalt blue spray paint. I think I gave it 3 light coats of spray paint, letting each coat dry a few hours before adding the next coat.
I decided it looked best as a planter and ended up prying the lid off. I love the way it looks in the garden. It works great to fill a space where I need some color.
My Upcycled Vintage Milk Can has turned out to be one of my favorite decor pieces in my garden. I change it up every year and place it in a different spot than the year before.
Over the years, the milk can has been banged up a bit and become a little chippy. I'm okay with that and I think it just adds to its character.
Do you enjoy adding whimsical touches to your gardens? Some of the other upcycled vintage items I have in my gardens, in addition to the milk can, are an old ladder, a wheelbarrow planter, an old chair, a bicycle, galvanized farm items, etc. If you'd like to see those and more, check out these articles on my website: Garden Decor and Garden Art and Garden Vignettes Using Flea Market Finds.
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I have an identical milk can that I have done the same thing to. Great minds think alike!!
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I love using recycled vintage items in my gardens. Happy gardening
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Did you fill the entire milk can with dirt? Wouldn’t that be impossible to move?
I have two that I have at the entry way of my garage. I am never able to use the right flowers to make them look like yours. Could you tell me what you used ? I love the color and the pop that the flowers give ! Great job !!!
Your milk can turned out beautiful! I know this is a late question. But hopefully I can find out the name of your gorgeous hosta!
I’m smitten by it!