My Vertical Garden

A long time ago, at the best Garage Sale ever, I picked up an old wooden step ladder for $4. I didn't know at the time what I was going to do with it, but then inspiration struck! And I let it sit outside for about 2 years. ;) 

Fast forward to the present. I decided not to paint it, and just leave it weathered. (Blasphemy, I know.) I wanted to use it for a potted garden, but the rails aren't very wide, and we get a lot of wind, so I wasn't sure it would work. But between the Hubster and me, we came up with a plan.

While I painted pots (in a very haphazard way with Oops! Paint), he drilled holes in the steps, and then put bolts in the bottom, running up into the drain holes of the pot. To allow proper drainage, he bent the washers into a curved shape, so water could run off underneath. And the steps have grooves in them already, so the water drains away easily. This isn't the best picture, but you get the idea:

Each step got two pots. Each pot had one bolt, one nut, and two washers. One washer went below, so the pressure of the bolt wouldn't split the old wood. (These are The Hubster's contributions to the plan, obviously). The other washer went in the pot, bent, under the nut. You can see the underside here:

Once it was all assembled, I got busy putting plants in pots! Here's a word of warning - I do NOT have a green thumb. Some of these plants probably need bigger pots. I think they are all full sun plants, but maybe with different watering needs. If 5 out of 10 live, I'll call it a success!

I mixed it up with flowers and food. I wanted some color, and some function.

The wind blew my little tags away, so I don't know which is which for some of these now. However, I know enough to know that this is my strawberry plant. (I think.)

I added one succulent, which I think I already overwatered. I'm drying it out now, and hoping it thrives!

And a little more color, to splash some happiness around.

I planned to put a potted cucumber plant on the ground at the bottom, so it could wind itself around the legs. Then I considered that I might have to move the ladder and that would traumatize the cucumber. Instead, I'm looking for a full sun trailing plant to put on the paint bucket shelf, so it can grow down around the legs. That will come later though. For now, herbs, peppers, flowers and berries are what I'm working with. 

I think the ladder's semi-permanent home will be next to the grill, angled in so the roof run off doesn't squash the plants or drown them in the pebbles the roof sheds in the rain. It's off the grass too, so I don't have to worry about it getting in the way of the landscapers. It's not the prettiest spot, but I think it's prettier now with the flowers!

Not bad for a $4 ladder, right? I thought this was SOOOO original. My Mom informed me it's not. Well, it was original in my head at least! I haven't seen any laddered flower pots around, but now I'm looking for them. And of course, I found one instantly, in the pages of All You Magazine. But it's just a leaning ladder, not a folding step ladder. And they didn't talk about securing the pots, which would fall right off in the wind if they just sat there. So there. I'm still original. ;) And I love my ladder. 

Have you been planting lately? Or thrifting? Feel free to share a link in the comments section!

Want to see more funky patio projects? Check out Funky Junk Interiors' Saturday Night Special!

How about some gorgeous cottage inspired interiors? I'm linking up over at French Country Cottage's Feathered Nest Friday, too.