Upcycled File Cabinet Planters

I have a teeny tiny yard and was desperate for a thrifty gardening solution.
I needed something narrow to fit on our patio and tall to accommodate a lot of plants right under our trellis. I love growing as many veggies as I can for our family in the summertime. The planters at gardening stores are so pricey and I needed a better solution.
I found six different metal file cabinets at thrift stores around town. I decided black spray paint would bring them together and create a cohesive look on my back patio.
Check out the blog post for all of the details on how we pulled this together and to find out how it is working for us!
Kim @ Too Much Time On My Hands
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  2 questions
  • Irene Samuels Irene Samuels on Jul 15, 2016
    What do you do with them in winter?
  • Margie Spenser Margie Spenser on Jun 06, 2017

    How did you fill the bottom of the filing cabinet? My cabinets are missing a metal panel on one end when I put them on their backs.

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  • Dee B Dee B on Jul 18, 2016
    Definitely doing this. Thanks so much!
  • Margie Spenser Margie Spenser on Jun 06, 2017

    I wonder if black is too dark and will heat the roots too much for some plants. I know clematis vines "like their feet cool".

    • Sue c. Sue c. on Apr 27, 2019

      Clematis aren't a good choice for planters. Not only do the want cool roots but their roots grow very long/deep. I have dug and replanted several and the roots were3-4 feet deep. They need the depth to grow well and planters thwart growth.

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