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9 Garden Treasures You Should Buy at the Thrift Store

Looking for inexpensive and unique ways to display plants and flowers? You can find the best garden treasures for a song at the thrift store. Wait until you see the cool things you need to buy on your next bargain shopping adventure.

I love a good deal, don’t you?

Whether you are shopping at the local thrift store, flea market, garage, or estate sale, there are certain things you just can’t pass up for the garden.

Brand new quality garden containers can be very costly.

If you can find them while you are out thrifting, grab them when you can.

But did you know there are other cool and unique container vessels you should look out for that you may not have considered for the garden?

YES!

Here’s what you need to buy then next time you are out thrifting for the garden.

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Click here to shop my vintage farmhouse with close up of the front porch with flowers

9 Garden Treasures You Should Never Leave Behind at the Thrift Store

For me, thrifting is the thrill of the hunt to find something really cool for a bargain.

From garden decor to container vessels, there is much to be found at the flea market or thrift store.

Here’s what you should never leave behind.

Thrift Store Baskets

It doesn’t matter if they are large, small, or something in between.

Grab whatever baskets you can.

For decorating purposes, they make great planters if you add a plant dish underneath a container inside.

But did you know that you can also use those baskets outside in the garden?

YES!

I used them a lot last year while deadheading flowers and it was so convenient to have them right there!

roses in my jersey garden
Thrift Unique Decorating Ideas

I picked this tip up from Linda Vater and have not looked back.

But you can hang these baskets around your yard in the gardens and use them to collect weeds.

Isn’t that brilliant?

I found this picnic basket while thrifting in Vermont.

Doesn’t it look so pretty as a container vessel for my fresh cut hydrangeas?

Oh and if you ever have a problem with fresh cut hydrangeas wilting, HERE is a great trick!

Centerpiece idea for a picnic date with friends

I also like to use additional baskets for storing things, whether it’s for my home or garden.

At any rate, don’t pass up a good basket.

And if you don’t like the color?

You can bleach them to mute the color and wash it out a bit.

Seriously, you can’t go wrong with extra baskets.

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Can you spot the basket hanging on my picket fence?

Even the basket on a vintage stroller would make a great planter.

I found this one while thrifting in Vermont.

My husband wasn’t into it, but seriously, couldn’t you see this one all potted up?

thrifting at the vintage market

Since I was so inspired from this find, I found another one that was much smaller and likely used as a doll carriage.

I flipped my thrift store find to make the prettiest planter on the porch.

Wait until you see how much character it adds to the front porch.

1850 farmhouse with front porch and spring flowers including ajuga, ranunculas, with hostas and buckeye tree.
The Prettiest Thrift Flip Idea for the Front Porch

Vintage Crocks Make Great Garden Treasures

Crocks are another great buy when you are thrifting around.

I buy all different sizes too.

You can use them for decor.

And you can use them as a vessel for plants and flowers.

rustic farmhouse fall hone tour 2021

Sometimes I’ll drop a houseplant in them.

Or faux Christmas trees.

But I’ve also used them as a vase for my cut flowers.

Seriously the possibilities are endless.

thrifting for the garden at the vintage market

Dough Bowls Are Great Thrift Store Finds!

Never pass up a good dough bowl.

There’s so much you can do with them.

From displaying them with faux greens and flowers to potpourri or maybe some candles, vintage wood dough bowls are a great find.

Don’t walk out of the thrift store without one.

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My Favorite Garden Treasure – the Vintage Tool Box

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know how much I love my vintage toolbox that I found in Vermont for like $15.

I’ve styled it ten different ways to Sunday throughout the seasons.

And it’s sat on my dining room table for the last two years.

rustic farmhouse dining room fall home tour 2021

Now that we moved, it does not fit under my chandelier on my dining room table.

So I’ve got to figure out a new place for it.

But toolboxes make great planting vessels or just display things in.

I never met a toolbox I didn’t like, so make sure you snag it whenever you find one!

first christmas in our home tour with vintage toolbox centerpiece

Metal Pails, Bins and Buckets

Old rusty or painted metal pails, bins and buckets make GREAT planter vessels.

I found this super cool maple sap bucket in Vermont and used it for my faux Christmas tree this year.

thrifty store finds in vermont

That red on the bucket was the perfect subtle complement for the holidays.

In the fall, I found this copper tub and it’s PERFECT for plantings!

I can’t wait to pot it up this spring and add it to my front porch.

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In addition to those, egg crates also make great containers for plants. But I’ve also used them to store blankets, pillows, and other decor from around the home.

Whether you plant live or faux, old metal pails, bins, and buckets are a great thrift store find.

So don’t pass those up!

Thrift Unique Decorating Ideas

Vintage Tins

I love pretty vintage cans.

They look so pretty displayed on their own. And even better with some plants or flowers in them!

Sometimes I display them in my kitchen to hide things I want accessible but don’t want on the counter too.

Fall Decorating Ideas

Vintage Watering Cans, Jugs and Milk Bottles

Those old metal watering cans are the best, aren’t they? I love how they look among plants and flowers.

Or even by themselves as part of my decor.

And the fact that you can use them to water plants is a huge plus for me too!

So be sure to add these garden treasures to the list too!

7 garden treasures you shouldn't pass up
thrfting at the vintage market

Old Wood Crates and Trunks

From large to small, vintage wood crates are the best, aren’t they?

I love to use them for faux greens and florals.

But if you find the larger crates and trunks, they can even be used as a plant stand, side or coffee table.

thrifting at the vintage market

Vintage Dishes and Tea Sets

There are so many different ways you can use dishes and tea sets. The possibilities are endless.

For the garden, I’ve potted up teapots and teacups.

They make cute gifts!

But think outside the box and use them as garden decor. I’ve seen some cute container gardens with pretty blue transferware.

So don’t walk out of the thrift store or antique mall without picking some up first!

9 garden treasures

More About Finding Garden Treasures at the Thrift Store

Do you love to hunt for garden deals at the thrift store too? What do you love to shop for? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

And… If you’re catching up on blog posts you may have missed, be sure to sign-up to get my newest posts via email to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on the blog and more.

Wait Until You See How My Friends Are Using Their Thrifted Finds!

My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells lives in the pacific northwest and found some unique items while thrifting for vintage on the west coast.

Wait until you see what she found and how she’s using them with her flowers!

And my good friend Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill thrifts in New England and found some great finds for her kitchen!

Wait until you see how she’s using them!

Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

close up of caramel creme coreopsis

Want to See More Thrift Store Finds?

I’ve been sharing lots of cool items I found for our new home and garden.

Come thrift with me!

Click here to shop my vintage farmhouse with close up of the front porch with flowers

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Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Stacy Ling

About Me

Want to learn more about me?

I’m a master gardener who’s been gardening and growing things for over 25 years. With a deep passion for gardening, I enjoy helping others find their inner green thumb with all things plants and flowers, as well as find ways to bring the outdoors inside their homes too.

Get the inside scoop about my background as a master gardener, education, and experience, as well as why I started blogging.

stacy ling cutting dahlias in her garden
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed

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12 Comments

  1. These are great ideas! I love thrifting for unique containers, and am also fortunate to have some things I rescued from my grandparents house and farm, like crocks, a watering can, and milk/cream cans! I’m also a big fan of old galvanized buckets and wash tubs as planters. I have my husband drill holes in the bottom for drainage and like to incorporate them in my landscaping. You have the most beautiful gardens! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Thank you so much Vicki! Isnt’ that the best? I love galvanized buckets too – they look so pretty with flowers!

  2. I can’t wait for the nice weather to get out and go to the flea markets…I’ll keep dreaming about that while I’m under 2 throws!!

  3. It’s always so fun to see all the thrifted finds you have for the garden. I love your flea markets in Vermont. Wish we had some like that here.

  4. I never find these cool things when I am out and about! I find old tupperware containers like the ones I got rid of. =)
    Seriously, these are great things!

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  6. Love these ideas, Stacy! Especially like the tip to use baskets for dead heading and holding weeds. Guess I need to go get some more baskets… 😆😆