By Dee Archibald
This is a great way to up cycle any Jars and pallets you have lying around, as well as adding some green living plants to your outdoor area. I’ve also added some seed lights for a bit of evening ambiance, all you’ll need now is a blank wall or fence to hang it from!
You will need:
- A pallet (if there are options choose one that is rustic and ready to go. You don’t want to spend hours roughing one up).
- Jars, around 10-15 depending on size of them
- Plants (choose varieties that will withstand the area you will put them in e.g. full sun etc. Also choose some that will trail or spill out over the top of the jar)
- Thin but heavy duty roll of wire (the more appealing option here is using plumping hose clamps but at around $6 a piece I went for the inexpensive option!) Both are available at hardware stores.
- Screws or nails
- Glitter/ PVA glue/ masking tape (optional, for jazzing up the jars if desired)
Step 1
Jars. Make sure they are clean and dry. Mask about 1 third of the way up with your tape, then use a paintbrush to brush PVA all over the base. Sprinkle glitter all over the glue and leave to dry. Once dry, remove the tape gently to reveal a dipped glittery look. This is an optional extra as you might like to keep your jars plain.
Get them ready to hang. Cut some 30-40cms pieces of wire, wrap each piece around the top of the jar and twist it as tight as you possibly can, 5 or 6 times.
Step 2
Plants. Fill your jar with a layer of rocks for drainage then a little soil. You might like to break plants up and use 1 plant to 2 or 3 jars to help them go further. Press the plant in and add extra soil around the sides as needed. Keep 3-5 jars empty if you want to add some seed lights or candles to your finished wall hanging.
Step 3
Decide where you want each jar to go then use a pen to mark out where you will add a screw or nail to the pallet. Now is a good time to think about hanging the pallet on the wall, or if you are going for a floor standing pallet Planter you will still need to pin it back and secure it as once you add the jars it will tend to be top heavy and topple forward.
Wrap the wire tightly around each screw a few times and then twist it with the other end 5 or 6 times before cutting the wire.
Happy Crafting!