Do you wish you had a big beautiful garden but can only have one in your dreams since you live in an apartment or rent a small space where planting a garden is simply not an option? You need not settle for only dreaming of having gorgeous flowers and fresh vegetables and herbs, you simply need to rethink your idea of what a garden is, or rather what you have to plant it in. Turns out, containers are a great way to garden, and no large patch of dirt or lawn is required. Container gardening is great, actually, because you can control soil quality and the amount of water required much more easily and you can assure proper drainage for those precious plants, too. If you live in a freeze prone area, you can relocate your plants during a freeze, too. When I started looking into DIY container gardens and planters, I realized all of this, and I am not sure I will ever go back to traditional gardening again. Containers can be really pretty, too. We found 34 cool container gardening ideas for you to choose from, so check them out and pick a few that will look great on your patio, balcony or back porch, perhaps even in your yard or existing garden. From ideas with repurposed wood and vintage containers to modern colorful ideas, you are sure to find some cool ideas for your creative gardening needs.
Container Gardening Ideas
1. Vintage Container Gardening
Do you love container gardening ideas? This vintage container gardening idea is exactly the kind of thing I go looking for. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the vintage container gardening. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Chaoticallycreative has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
2. DIY Succulent Bowl Garden
theblondielocks
I am a big fan of fun crafts, and this diy succulent bowl garden idea is one of my favorites. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Our full tutorial walks you through every step.
4. Recycled Barrel Planter
Why not try an easy tutorial the easy way? This recycled barrel planter idea makes it simple. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Designsponge for the complete recipe.
5. Container Gardening Made Easy
Container Gardening Made Easy – yes please. This one delivers on handmade goods without any fuss. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Houseofhawthornes’s full tutorial for all the details.
6. Vintage Bucket Gardening
This is home decor, and I never get tired of it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the vintage bucket gardening. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Southernliving has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
7. Growing Lettuce In Containers
Whether it is a weeknight or a get-together, this growing lettuce in containers idea fits right in if you love craft ideas. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Balconygardenweb at the link.
8. Grow Onions In Containers
Give this grow onions in containers idea a try the next time you want DIY projects. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Growyourmint to see every step.
9. Start Your Own Survival Container Garden
Thegoodsurvivalist nailed it with this start your own survival container garden idea – easy crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the survival container garden. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Thegoodsurvivalist for the complete recipe.
10. Build a Vertical Herb Planter
bonnieplants
My family always asks for step by step instructions like this, and this build a vertical herb planter idea is one we keep making. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. The complete step by step version is linked above.
11. Mason Jar Herb Garden
Ever crave a fun DIY? This mason jar herb garden idea is the one I keep going back to. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. We’ve got the complete tutorial for you right at the link.
12. Grow a Fig Tree in a Pot
I have always loved fun crafts, and this grow a fig tree in a pot idea is a great example why. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Attainable Sustainable at the link.
13. DIY Lettuce Table
This diy lettuce table idea is quick, easy, and a real win for a clear how-to. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Savvygardening to see every step.
14. Grow Carrots In Pots
Why make it complicated? This grow carrots in pots idea keeps an easy tutorial simple. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the grow carrots pots. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Balconygardenweb for the complete recipe.
15. Grow Watermelon in Containers
Grow Watermelon in Containers? Sign me up. This is handmade goods done right. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Check out Urban Gardening Ideas’s full tutorial for all the details.
16. Lemon Tree For Container Gardening
Here is home decor, and I keep coming back to it year after year. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Whiteonricecouple has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
17. Grow Bell Peppers in Pots
From a quiet night in to a full house, this grow bell peppers in pots idea works if you love craft ideas. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the bell peppers pots. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Beesandroses at the link.
18. Potting Soil For Container Gardening
Try this potting soil for container gardening idea next time you’re after step by step instructions. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Getbusygardening to see every step.
19. Front Porch Winter Container Gardens
Tipsfromashton really knows a fun DIY, and this front porch winter container gardens idea shows it. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Head over to Tipsfromashton for the complete recipe.
20. Rain Boots Gardening
Around here, this rain boots gardening idea disappears fast whenever I make fun crafts. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Check out Rosinahuber’s full tutorial for all the details.
21. DIY Upcycled Pitcher Planter
Looking for a clear how-to that actually works? This diy upcycled pitcher planter idea is it. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Pleasenotepaper has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
22. Cinder Block Focal Point Vertical Planter
I will admit it, I am obsessed with an easy tutorial, and this cinder block focal point vertical planter idea proves it. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the point vertical planter. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. You can grab the whole recipe from Pithandvigor at the link.
23. Grow Ginger Indoors
This grow ginger indoors idea is fuss free and delivers on handmade goods. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Get the full recipe from Rebeccastexasgarden to see every step.
24. Grow Blueberries In Containers
No need to overthink a fun DIY – this grow blueberries in containers idea is refreshingly simple. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Head over to Mygardentips for the complete recipe.
25. Easy Veggies Container Gardening
Easy Veggies Container Gardening, and it is a good one. Just fun crafts, no fuss. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the veggies container gardening. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Check out Quiet Corner’s full tutorial for all the details.
26. Succulent Chair Planter
I do not think I will ever get tired of a clear how-to like this. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Gardentherapy has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
27. Container Gardening For Beginners
Weeknight, weekend, or a crowd – this container gardening for beginners idea covers an easy tutorial either way. A friend of mine swears by doubling the batch, since it never seems to last as long as you think it will. Even on a busy night, this one is realistic to actually make. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. You can grab the whole recipe from Sweetpenniesfromheaven at the link.
28. Build A Tiered Herb Garden
Put this build a tiered herb garden idea on your list next time you want a fun DIY. I used to overthink this one, but it turns out the simple version is just as good as the fussy one. A little effort goes a long way with this one. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Get the full recipe from Maverickitchen to see every step.
29. Sew A Grow-Bag
Credit where it is due – Northernhomestead really delivers on fun crafts, this sew a grow-bag idea included. My first attempt at this was not exactly picture perfect, but it still turned out great, which taught me not to stress over it. No fancy equipment needed, just a few basics you probably already have. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. Head over to Northernhomestead for the complete recipe.
30. Grow Potatoes In A Barrel
grow-vegetable
We go through a clear how-to like this quickly at my house, and this grow potatoes in a barrel idea is a favorite. I learned the hard way that rushing this one is not worth it, so give yourself the extra few minutes. It’s simple to put together and always turns out great, especially with the grow potatoes barrel. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. The complete step by step version is linked above.
31. Grow Your Onions In A Container
Craving a fun DIY without much effort? This grow your onions in a container idea has you covered. I almost skipped this one the first time around, and I am glad I did not, because it turned into a regular around here. It keeps well too, so it’s easy to make ahead of time. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Lavendeandlemonade has the full step by step tutorial if you want to make it yourself.
32. Growing Strawberries in Containers
Count me as a fan of fun crafts – this growing strawberries in containers idea is proof. This is one I originally made by accident, sort of, after improvising with what I had on hand, and it stuck. It comes together faster than you’d expect for how good it tastes. Even if you are newer to this, it is a forgiving one to start with. You can grab the whole recipe from Urban Gardening Ideas at the link.
33. Stacked Container Gardening
This stacked container gardening idea is about as easy as a clear how-to gets. The first time I tried this I rushed it, and it taught me that a little patience really does pay off here. It’s the kind of thing you can whip up without any fuss, especially with the stacked container gardening. You can scale it up or down depending on how many people you are making it for. Get the full recipe from Artandappetite to see every step.
34. Plant Garlic in Containers
gardeningready
Skip the fuss – this plant garlic in containers idea is a fun DIY done the easy way. I will admit I have messed this one up before by skipping a step I thought did not matter, so trust the process. This one always gets asked about when I bring it out. The whole thing comes together with basic tools and ingredients, nothing fancy or hard to find. Try it yourself with our full recipe tutorial.
