DIY Typewriter Planter

Don’t you love unusual and unexpected flower planters that you can tuck into your home landscape?

If so, I have a super cute way to mix a vintage and poetic style into your outdoor or indoor garden décor!

Typewriters! You heard me right. Be on the hunt for rusted out, much-loved, typewriters that have no more “typing” left in them.

 

I don’t think this planter could scream “ME” more than it does!

I used to pass on many typewriter finds at thrift stores and yard sales because they didn’t actually “type” anymore, and I was fixated on using them for what they were intended to do. Type.

Silly me. I don’t make that mistake now.

I collect typewriters and I use them to type all of my custom poetry that I offer in my Etsy store

 

One of the many Typewriters I use to type Etsy orders

 

A friend gave me a rusted out typewriter thinking I could use it for a yard decoration. When I say rusted, it was beyond saving.

I decided on a whim to save the shell and tear out the rusted middle and plant succulents inside..

Now I’m not advocating dismantling a working vintage typewriter to make a planter. I would never do that. I had serious reservations about turning this one into one and it was as bad as I’ve ever seen a typewriter.

But, if I can save one old discarded typewriter (even a non-working one) from the landfill, and use it for home décor, I’m going to try!

Imagine the letters that this typewriter has typed! Oh the stories it could tell… or perhaps it did? Perhaps it helped another author write out their heart! I’d like to think it did!

I grow SUCCULENTS (my favorite) all year long and they are very forgiving how and where you plant them.

 

Typewriter planter with succulents

 

I figured they would be my best bet since the typewriter interior was very constricted and shallow and I didn’t know how well it would hold potting soil. I got out my pliers and went to work. And it was work. Removing the guts of the typewriter was no small job. I left the metal backing of the typewriter on to hold the potting soil. I then got a coconut liner and lined the bottom of it and then filled with potting soil. It’s not a perfect fix, but it allows for drainage and keeps most of the soil inside.

I have to take it inside my garage during the winter months because here in Kentucky succulents can’t take the winter temps. I water them about once a month during the wintertime. Whenever I bring the typewriter back out and plop it in my landscape in the Spring, the succulents immediately start to thrive throughout summer until Fall.

 

I receive more compliments on this planter than anything else in my garden. So the next time you see an old rusted typewriter…. Stop! Consider using it in your landscape to hold some pretties! I think its a wonderful addition to any Poetic Home!

 

Until next time!

Alfa

 

I have many Facebook pages but have started one for Poetic DIY.

Simply Poetic Mercantile by Alfa

The post DIY Typewriter Planter appeared first on Simply Poetic Home.