Utilize every square inch of space in your garden by adding a few fence planters! Not only do fences add security and privacy to your outdoor space, but they also make the perfect spot for growing even more plants. These DIY creations take advantage of otherwise unused space and save you money in the process too.
Discover 10 DIY fence planters to enhance your backyard this season. Add interest and beauty to your yard without the hefty price tag by installing your own fence planters!
1. Tin Cans
Stop recycling your tin cans and get creative! Tin cans make excellent fence planters that come in all sizes to plant different plants. You can really be artistic with this one, painting and decorating the cans all various colors. Attach the cans to the fence with screws, or hang the cans with string. Make sure to drill a hole in the bottom of each can before planting to allow water to drain properly.
Various plants will grow well in tin cans, but opt for small to medium-sized plants for the best results. Plant herbs, lettuce, spinach, bush beans, radishes, and flowers that don't need as much space to grow.
2. Hanging Baskets
Transform your space by adding a few hanging baskets to your fence. This method is easy to install: Secure the holders to your fence using screws or nails and hang your baskets. Vegetables that grow well in hanging baskets include strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber, which drape over the edge of the container as they grow. Also, lettuces work well in hanging baskets as they have shallow roots.
3. Wooden Crates
Turn your old wooden crates into art by using them as a fence planter! Stagger the crates along your fence or combine them in a line, attaching them to the fence with nails. Paint the crates in various colors, or leave them as is for a more rustic look. Place your pots or containers in the crates to grow numerous types of plants — from flowers to vegetables and more.
4. Ladder Planter
With a few pieces of wood and nails, you can easily make a ladder planter that leans against your fence. These planters utilize vertical space and are ideal for those with a smaller backyard. You can make the planters any size you'd like, making them highly customizable, allowing you to grow any plants you'd like. Fill it with some potting soil and get planting!
5. Rain Gutter
Rain gutters are a unique option for growing various plants vertically on your fence! Sometimes called a "gutter garden," hang a few along your fence to create an entire plant wall. For this DIY, you'll need gutter end caps and some screws or nails to secure the gutters in place. Drill holes in the bottom of the gutters to allow water to drain, preventing root rot and disease. Ideal plants include strawberries, salad greens, radishes, and herbs, which have a more shallow root system.
6. Shoe Organizer
Another DIY fence planter to try growing in is a shoe organizer. Hang the organizer on your fence and secure it at the top, and you're done! Fill the compartments with high-quality potting soil and opt for plants with shallow roots — like various lettuces and herbs like basil, cilantro, thyme, or mint. Choose a shoe organizer made of cotton to allow water to drain easily.
7. Vertical Wooden Planter
While they can be purchased, consider making your own vertical wooden planter if you're a little more handy. You'll need wood, nails, and a hammer to make this. Measure your fence and cut the wood to size, creating planter boxes first. Secure the planter boxes to vertically a few pieces of wood, then attach them to your fence.
These look particularly good next to a fence as the plants grow and fill in, providing even more privacy to your yard. Plant sun-loving flowers like daisies and lavender near the top, which will receive more sunlight. At the bottom, plant shade-tolerant plants like begonias and impatiens.
8. Felt Planter Bags
Felt planter bags are another great way to grow along your fence line. They come in all different sizes and lengths and can be purchased on Amazon or from gardening centers. Decide which size best fits your space, and hang it from the top of your fence. The felt material is breathable, allowing water to drain freely from the compartments.
With multiple pockets to plant in, the options regarding which plants you can grow are endless! Consider smaller plants like lettuces, herbs, and flowers which will fit perfectly in the smaller pockets. Avoid large plants like eggplants, tomatoes, or peppers, which will grow too large.
9. Plastic Bottles
Reuse your old plastic bottles for a cheap and convenient option to grow. You can hang the bottles in a variety of ways along your fence, using string or zip ties to secure them in place. Cut the bottles in half and fill them with potting soil, leaving the cap side down. This allows you to twist the cap off when watering to let it drain properly. Grow salad greens, herbs, and flowering or ornamental plants that don't need a deep container to grow correctly.
10. Wooden Shelves
Create a floating garden by installing a few wooden shelves on your fence! Attach the shelves to your fence using nails. From there, place numerous pots or containers on the shelves and start planting. For large-sized plants like tomatoes, eggplants, or cucumbers, choose a 12 to 16 inches deep container. For plants like beans, beets, Swiss chard, carrots, and various flowers, choose a pot with a depth of 8 to 12 inches. One bonus is that you can easily move the containers around according to sunlight needs, moving them from shelf to shelf.
Get Ready to DIY Your Garden
There are plenty of options to make use of your space and get growing on your fence line. Whether you have a small backyard, simply want to grow more plants, or just like to experiment. Remember to use your imagination and have fun creating because that's what DIY-ing is all about!
Are you going to try any of these DIY fence planters in your garden? Have you tried a few already? Leave a comment down below and share.