Last week, as I was picking up Monkey Boy from his Kung Fu lesson, I noticed several small wood pallets laying next to a large dumpster. Hmm. Who on earth would throw those out, I wondered.
The parking lot full of moms sitting in their minivans.
Do you think that stopped me?
Nope. I grabbed three and stuffed them in the trunk of my car.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Small Wood Pallet {1/4th the size of a regular wood pallet}
- Landscape Fabric
- Heavy Duty Staple Gun
- Scissors
- Plants
- Potting Soil
- Wood Stain and Paint Brush {optional}
If you’re like me and have OCD, you’ll probably have the need for all the wood in your backyard to match, if that’s the case, stain your wood pallet. But if you’re normal, leaving your pallet au naturel works too.
Next, attach landscape fabric to the back of your wood pallet by using a heavy-duty stapler. Be generous with the staples.
Stand you pallet upright and add moistened potting soil to the top of the first slat of wood.
Add some sort of trailing flower. I chose Ornamental Bacopa {Snowstorm, Giant Snowflake}. Carefully place the plants {I used 3} into the bottom slat. Add potting soil.
Continue adding soil and trailing plants {I used alyssum and petunias} until you have reached the top of the pallet. When you get to the top of the pallet you’ll want to plant something that stands upright, and has a long growing season. I chose a pair of hot pink geraniums.
After you are finished planting, move your new wood pallet garden to its final destination and give it a drink.
Water and fertilize as needed.
For more container garden inspiration check out Junk Beautiful Outdoor Edition
Kari says
I love it!! Now all I need is a pallet:-)
Robin in SoCal says
I have small pallet envy!
Tali says
I wanted to know how you water it? does the dirt not run out?
Mavis says
I watered it from the top. Because the slats are so close together the dirt does not run out. 🙂
Jules says
Mavis,
Have you seen this site? So many more uses for pallets! 🙂
Jules says
oops, the site is :
http://www.home-dzine.co.za/green/green-pallet-ideas.htm
Michelle says
I missed this post…I love it! I don’t know that I’ve seen a small pallet like that…it’s perfect!
Jennie says
I love all your ideas and your awesome sense of humor! Where do you find pallets for free? I would love to try some out for my garden but might build a few other things with them as well! Thanks for your awesome blog! I am so getting chickens too!
Mavis says
Although I won’t cough up the exact location I got my pallets from, there is a place in Puyallup, Wa that sells new, clean pallets if you are local. Here is the link http://www.girardwoodproducts.com/
Tali says
In my area Spokane WA/North Idaho, you can find them free on craigslist almost every day.