Out of the Kitchen into the Garden

by Rosalie Stanley

My mother thought she was helping my daughter in college out by giving her a bunch of unused pots and other items from her kitchen. As it turned out, most of the things were well worn and my daughter didn’t want to use them but didn't want to hurt Grandma's feelings either. She packed up the things that Grandma gave her in a box and brought them home to me.

“Mom, Grandma gave me all this stuff but it’s junk,” said Jenna. I didn’t think they were that bad but I knew she was right. After all, some of the things were almost as old as me. Jenna went back to school and I was left with the old things from my mother's kitchen.

The box sat around for awhile and I was about to throw it out when I thought of a new use for some of the items. With a little effort I could make some unique containers for succulents or other small plants.

An enameled colander that had rust spots on it became a happy haven for succulents. I simply lined it with sphagnum moss then put in some potting soil, sedums, and a handful of gravel. A cast iron pot turned into a planter by drilling a few holes for drainage. Over the months it has taken on a rusty patina that compliments the succulents planted in it. Mom’s old strainer was treated the same as the colander and is perfect for hanging on a wall with some colorful lobelia and yellow oregano.

I haven’t done this one yet but another idea would be to drill holes in that favorite bowl or cup of yours that has a chip in it and use them to hold a plant or two.

Using stuff from the kitchen as plant containers is one way to recycle an unwanted or tired item from the back corner of your or grandma’s kitchen. There probably is a memory of something cooked in that old pot and you’ll remember the moment each time you water or walk by.