Inside: With a little do-it-yourself magic, you can transform cheap plastic pumpkin buckets into the cutest plastic pumpkin planters for fall.
Those iconic black and orange plastic pumpkin candy buckets are good for more than trick-or-treaters.
Use the candy buckets to decorate your front porch for Halloween. With just a little DIY magic, you can transform those $1 plastic buckets into planters. Brimming with fall mums, they make an unexpected addition to your outdoor décor.
A simple coat of spray paint dresses up the plastic buckets, giving them a more elegant—and neutral look. I chose a simple bright white spray paint, but they’d also look lovely painted a metallic, like gold, silver or copper. A dark brown-gray is also a stylish option.
And, when Halloween’s over, just turn the jack-o-lantern faces toward the wall and you’ll have simple pumpkin planters on your doorstep ready to greet Thanksgiving guests.
These plastic pumpkin planters couldn’t be easier to make. If you can wield a can of spray paint, then you can complete this project. Here are the supplies you’ll need.
What you’ll need:
- Plastic pumpkin buckets (I used two)
- Spray paint (I used white)
- Fall mums (I chose a deep burgundy color)
- Potting soil
How to Make a Plastic Pumpkin Planter the Easy Way
Ready to make your plastic pumpkin planters? Here’s how.
Step 1: Spray paint your pumpkins
Give your plastic pumpkins a good even coat of spray paint. You’ll need to do this in steps. Spray as much of the pumpkin as you can with it sitting upright. Let the paint dry. Then, flip it over and finish spraying around the bottom.
You can either choose to remove the wire or leave it on. I left it on because I wanted the planters to still look like pails.
(Tip: Hold your spray can vertically to avoid drips and to get an even coat. Also, be sure to shake the can vigorously before spraying to mix up the paint.)
Step 2: Drill drainage holes
Use a drill to pierce the bottom of your pumpkins with a few holes for water to drain.
Step 3: Fill with soil
Fill your plastic pumpkins with about halfway with soil.
Step 4: Plant your mums
Plant your mums in the plastic pumpkin. You’ll need to fill it in with more soil. Then, give it a good watering.
Step 5: Place on your porch, front steps or balcony
Show off your new planters by placing them on your porch, front steps or balcony. I think they look particularly stunning in a grouping. However many you choose to make, you’ll bewitch the neighborhood with your clever use for plastic pumpkin buckets.
Even though I filled my planter with fall mums, you could also plant regular green houseplants into the bucket.
Want another fun DIY project using a plastic pumpkin candy bucket? Make a concrete jack-o-lantern to spook up your front porch for Halloween.
Get more crafty tips like these when you sign up for my e-newsletter!
September 13, 2017
[…] you don’t have any extra plastic pumpkin buckets, you can find them at most dollar stores or big box stores for around $1 each. And a 50lb bag of […]