There ’s a reason why whiskey cask have endured through the years as a gardener ’s favorite plantation owner . For one , they are improbably durable and long persistent . Two , they have that wonderful , onetime - timey hick expression . And , three , any character of flower arrangement count sound in them , from simple daisy to striking annual and other ornamental plants . Not only do whiskey gun barrel add originative charm to outside spaces , another great means to use them is for a vegetable garden and / or herb garden ! need to learn more about using whiskey barrel in the garden ? take on !
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Why Whiskey Barrels Make Great Planters.
veridical whisky barrels are made of oak , which is good stuff . If you ’re in a cold climate , they are frost proof . Meaning you may leave them outdoors in the wintertime . You may point out that they look sear on the inside . That ’s because burning the wood to one degree or another let go of the relish of the oak to heighten the whisky or wine or whatever is in the barrel . Some barrel are left un - charred , but most of them are .
There ’s only a duet issues that come up related to using whiskey barrels as planters . Namely that some people mistakenly trust that a wood preservative is used on the cask ; exchangeable to pressure - treated lumber . They worry that veg grow in the barrels will absorb these chemicals . As a protective meter , they cover the inside with a plastic liner or even use a disjoined container .
But this is FALSE . The fact is , whiskey barrel are not treated at all , because they are not meant to be used outside . That fainthearted chemical smell in your anterior naris is from the original liquified contents of the plantation owner , WHISKEY . Although the smell can seem inviolable , it ’s reassuring that the National Gardening Association ( garden.org ) says it is perfectly hunky-dory to develop any vegetable in a whiskey barrel . No formative liners are involve . whisky drum make fantabulous planters !
What about protecting the wood ? Whether or not to use a lining to extend the life of your barrel plantation owner is really up to you . Whiskey cask are potent , uncompromising vessels that necessitate slight or no maintenance . They are moderately resistant to moulder compared to other types of wooden planters . I have had the same whiskey barrel in my garden for many , many years ( we even incite it to our new home ) and it ’s just now begin to show sign of the zodiac of geezerhood . I have never treated it with anything and I have n’t used any type of ocean liner . The base of the barrel is unremarkably what goes first , so you if you bid you’re able to limit the barrelful on paving roofing tile or other detail that will support it around the bound to keep it from directly touching the ground .
The cask swell when it ’s damp , causing the wooden stave ( a / k / a wood panels ) to expand and match tightly together . Now , the color will definitely languish to gray over time , but many gardeners in reality prefer the beauty of elderly wood .
How to Prepare a Whiskey Barrel for Use in the Garden
Many big box seat storage , like Home Depot , carry half wine barrels in their garden center . Sometimes your local greenhouse or nursery will stock them , and if you ’re lucky , perhaps one will show up at a flea grocery store .
Check first to check that there are drainage holes in the bottom . If there are no drainage holes , then you will have to make some . Either the hubs or I will exercise holes using a larger drill spot . There ’s really no exact measurement for this , but you will want the hole to be large enough so that supererogatory H2O will enfeeble from the plantation owner .
Expert Tip : After exercise the holes and before filling with dirt , place coffee filters or landscape cloth over the maw to foreclose dirt from wash out out over time when lacrimation .
A half whiskey barrel is a very large plantation owner and they take a good deal of soil to meet . Some multitude care to save money on potting grease and expend something else to fill the bottom of the barrel . If you ’re operate to do this do n’t use junk , industrial plant roots wish to develop in rich organic stuff . Also , using garden dirt from the ground is a defective idea . I suggest using leaf , branchlet and skunk clippings in the bottom of large blossom passel . These thing will break away down into compost that will fortify the stain .
Ideas for Using Wooden Whiskey Barrels in Your Flower Garden
Whether you have a spot in full sun , or you need to tote up some vividness with refinement plants , whiskey barrel planter are a wonderful direction to accomplish this . There are so many dissimilar ways to title them and we ’ll discuss a few idea here .
Because of their sizing and astuteness , there ’s spate of room in a whiskey barrelful plantation owner for supply a small trellis for your mounting flowers and vine . Décor such as garden stakes , razzing home or solar luminousness will complement whatever you implant .
Whiskey barrel planters do n’t have to sit upright . If a snatch of whimsy is what your garden needs , think tipping the whole matter on its side . Fashion the dirt and the plantings to make it appear like the barrel is a spilled flower flock .
More Creative Ideas For Using Whiskey Barrels in the Garden
A neat style to add some interest to your flower display is to turn one cask upside - down and set the planted barrelful on top of it . This add a little stature in the garden and make your flush stand out .
A whole drum – if you may find it – makes a charming pedestal for set thing on that you want to get noticed . Whether it ’s a hoop of dog flowers , like wave petunias , or a foul-smelling antique or sculpture .
How about DIY water features ? The rugged whisky barrel gives a lot of character reference to a pocket-size garden fountain . Authentic wine-coloured or whiskey cask are made to hold fluent and are water tight , so chances are , you wo n’t even need a liner . But fill it up anyway and watch it for a few 24-hour interval to ensure there are no leaks .
Add asolar fountainand voila ! You might also taste a submersible pump for better circulation . The barrel is cryptical enough that you could add real or contrived water system plant and make it a water garden . The gurgle of water fork up a refreshing phone to your garden environment . As an added welfare , it ’s also a fun place for birds to hang out . apply the same instructions foundhereto make your own DIY whiskey barrel fountain . No time to DIY , hold back out theserustic wood barrel fount .
Half whiskey barrels make adorable pouf garden and they are the double-dyed height for children . The half barrel fairy garden fancy below is at a public garden where I volunteer . Children adore this little garden and they take act at rearranging it .
Whiskey Barrel Flower Planter Ideas and Images
Some of the picture below are from Gingham Gardens ’ readers , or from stock images . They all represent marvelous ideas for you to replicate in create your own whiskey barrel planter .
Barb from Nebraska charge in the picture below of her antique water go-cart with a whiskey barrel plantation owner . How creative !
My neighbor uses hatful of antiques in her garden from her family farm . I have shared her melodic theme in many other posts . Her whiskey barrel planter is sitting on an antique milk go-cart .
The pic below demonstrate a full - size whiskey barrel with a cutout for flower . I reckon this may be my next undertaking .
Sandy , a Gingham Gardens ’ referee from zone 5 ship in the picture below of an orbit she make to hide a generator on the side of her domicile . Look at that cutewhiskey barrel spring . This is just dreamy and so creative !
And another planter estimation from Terra . I ’m not sure why Terra ’s parents utilise so many whiskey barrel planters , other than they are gorgeous . But , using half gun barrel planters is a fantastic way of life to add up a blossom garden or vegetable garden if you have bad soil , or if you require lower sustainment .
I love the thought below of the leaning plantation owner . Another neighbor came up with this musical theme and it look awesome in her front yard flower garden .
lastly , what to do with your whiskey bbl planter after summertime is over ? Do n’t put it in storage ! A whiskey barrel is appealing any clock time of the class . practice it in a fall presentation with Cucurbita pepo and squash and set it out on the front porch . Check out more ideas forfall planter here . When the Christmas time of year rolls around , just vary it out for the holidays . Add pine cones , mini Light , and figurines to make it appear gay . assure out more estimation forwinter planter here .
Using a Whiskey Barrel for Vegetables
flush are n’t the only thing you may plant , if you ’re lacking room for an in - ground veggie garden , many vegetable will grow well in containers . Because of their size of it , whiskey barrel are astonishing planters for vegetables . A Lycopersicon esculentum plant will survive its beneficial life in a self-aggrandising one-time half - barrel plantation owner .
Half bbl planters are sodding for any big container garden . Try a combination of herbs , flowers and vegetable . Think Swiss chard with a basil plant and marigolds . tap from Tennessee send off in this icon of her herbaceous plant gardens all planted in faux half barrels .
If you do n’t want to shell out the clam for authentic oak tree wine barrels , theplastic or wood barrelswork well too . Be certain to check the sizing before ordering .
I do n’t think whiskey barrels will ever go out of style as planters and garden décor . Their hick charm and functionality have been a criterion in the garden from way of life back when , and will go along to do so . The fact that they are strong and long-lasting make them a worthwhile purchase and neat addition to any garden place setting . You ’ll be able-bodied to utilise them year after class , after year . And , the near part – the possibilities of total rustic charm to your flower garden , veg gardens , or any of your outdoor spaces using wooden bbl are endless !
Thanks so much for break by Gingham Gardens today , I desire you enjoy your sojourn and will block off back soon .
glad horticulture , Julie
More container gardening posts you ’ll delight :
Creative Flower Container GardeningDIY Outdoor Wicker Basket PlantersGrowing Vegetables in Pots
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