How to Plant a Fall Garden in a Flea Market Find

Have you ever found something super cool at the flea market but weren’t sure what to do with it? Plant a gorgeous fall garden in a flea market find with these tips.

The antique flea market in Vermont had THE COOLEST stuff Labor Day Weekend.

It was really tough to come home with just a few items.

But I found this totally amazing copper boiler that would make a great outdoor planter.

It’s big.

It’s beautiful.

And would look great potted up with a bunch of fall flowers or plants.

Wait until you see how I turned this flea market find into something super cool for the garden.

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The Flea Market Find

While thrifting in Vermont, Chris and I stopped by my favorite outdoor flea market in Wilmington, VT.

This vintage market will only be around for a few more weeks, so I knew we had to check it out over Labor Day Weekend.

And let me tell you, it did NOT disappoint!

We found so much cool stuff there.

But my favorite find was this old copper boiler.

Whoever owned it last cleaned the patina off it, but isn’t it totally awesome?

I love the copper look and thought it would look amazing planted with fall flowers.

We also thought it would make a great beverage bucket for a party too.

So there’s that!

How to Plant a Fall Garden in a Flea Market Find

This copper tub can be planted two different ways.

First, I could plant a bunch of fall flowers directly in this gorgeous tub.

(NOTE: If planting directly in something that lacks drainage, holes should be drilled.)

But if I want to bring it indoors at the end of the season to incorporate with my winter decor, I may not want to drill holes in the bottom for drainage.

Because holes in the bottom would drain out on my floor.

And nobody wants that!

So depending on what and where you plan to use flea market finds for plants and flowers will drive whether or not you add drainage holes.

Because I want to bring this gorgeous piece indoors at the end of the fall season this year, I’m going to add a few mums without planting directly in the tub.

At some point, I may drill holes in the bottom and leave it outside in the garden or pot it up with houseplants indoors.

I haven’t really decided yet.

For now, I’m going to pot it up with some fall garden flowers and switch it out to faux winter greens later.

Supplies Needed

• Flea Market Find
• Fall Flowers or Plants
• Pots, Containers or Risers to Raise Up the Flowers
• Drill (optional if planting directly)
• Potting Soil (optional if planting directly)

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Directions to Plant a Fall Garden in a Container

• Grab your flea market or thrift store find and determine whether you are planting directly inside or just placing plants.
• If planting directly inside, drill holes for drainage. Skipping this step with leave roots very soggy, which leads to pest and disease problems.
• Choose what plants you want in the fall garden. I wanted mums but couldn’t find the proper size for this piece, so I went with this gorgeous millet instead.
• If planting directly inside, fill the container with fresh potting soil
• Dig holes then add your plants.
• If merely placing plants inside the container, find the right size riser to raise plants up. I like to use old nursery pots, but use what you have laying around.
• Set plants inside and enjoy!

Container Garden Care

If you planted directly in the flea market find, follow THESE tips to care for your new garden.

If you merely placed plants inside, you’ll want to follow THESE tips too, but check on the plants often to make sure they aren’t drying out.

One of the downfalls of setting plants in containers rather than planting them directly is they dry out a little quicker.

Use THIS METHOD to see if plants need to be watered.

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