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My Garden Grows – in a Mop Bucket?!

June 7, 2012  Garden

You’ve seen my patio and know I love mixing old and new for a one of a kind look.

I’m not talking about the plastic bucket I (rarely) fill with water and reluctantly swish around on my floors.

No, I’m talking something much grander …

Vintage.  Galvanized. Fantabulous.  A mop bucket planter!

Mop Bucket Planter kellyelko.com

The buckets were found at a few different estate sales for $5 each!

Mop Bucket Planters kellyelko.com

Love these vintage mop bucket planters kellyelko.com

Even Gnomeo gives his good housekeeping seal of approval.

Love these vintage mop bucket planters and galvanized tubs kellyelko.com

Remember my dresser planter that started out life as a $6 thrift shop find?

Unique planter ideas kellyelko.com

Galvanized Mop Bucket Planters eclectiallyvintage.com

My indoor mop bucket just doesn’t give me the same thrill – that’s for sure!

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Comments

  1. Kirby

    June 7, 2012 at 6:06 am

    I am currently looking for a big old galvanized trough–thought they’d be easier to find here in NC. I may have to pony up and go to the Farm store for a ne one. I have big plans. *rubs hands together*

    Reply
  2. lynn

    June 7, 2012 at 7:01 am

    your garden is very cute in the mop buckets, kelly:) its funny, i have some planted, and never thought of them as a mop bucket, until now!

    Reply
  3. Kim

    June 7, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Those are great. Perfect for planters.

    Reply
  4. Laura at Top This Top That

    June 7, 2012 at 7:14 am

    you should put a mop in little ole gnomeo’s hands to really complete your look! 🙂 Laura

    Reply
  5. thistle

    June 7, 2012 at 8:15 am

    I think gnomeo looks a little dazed and confused. But happy 🙂 He looks happy!

    Awesome project (as usual)!

    🙂 me

    Reply
  6. Jean

    June 7, 2012 at 8:40 am

    I had plans to do the same thing with my mop buckets…if it would STAY warm here. I woke up yesterday to the sight of snow on my neighbors roof!

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      June 7, 2012 at 9:42 am

      I’ll be thinking warm thoughts so you can have a mop bucket planter too!

      Reply
  7. Pat

    June 7, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I love it! Where did you find them? Haven’t seen them anywhere.

    Pat

    Reply
    • Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage

      June 7, 2012 at 9:41 am

      Found them at different estate sales Pat!

      Reply
  8. Maury @ Life on Mars

    June 7, 2012 at 8:51 am

    I love just about anything galvanized. They are cool and fun and never too fussy.

    Reply
  9. cassie

    June 7, 2012 at 9:12 am

    i love it! i think it is perfect! i have an old galvanized bucket for some tomato plants…. and if i had a mop bucket, i would rock it, too.

    Reply
  10. judi

    June 7, 2012 at 10:11 am

    kelly,
    i too LOVE anything galvanized. i’m in the process of replanting my hibiscus tree in a wheeled mop bucket so that i can wheel it back & forth into the house when the seasons change…found it for $16 at an antique shop, it’s huge! you’ve inspired me to replant my galv. buckets that are sitting in my potting shed…as i love how it looks on your steps. something for my front to add some curb appeal.
    enjoy your weekend,
    judi

    Reply
  11. Pam @ Simple Details

    June 7, 2012 at 10:32 am

    Love your fun line-up of buckets! 🙂

    Reply
  12. [email protected]gns

    June 7, 2012 at 10:46 am

    In all my “travels” I have never seen a mop bucket like that …I love it…Your porch definitely makes me smile with a giggle here and there as it is so much fun to see!!

    Reply
  13. Carolyn

    June 7, 2012 at 11:07 am

    Very nice!

    Reply
  14. Sheila @SZInteriors

    June 7, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    I love your mop buckets! Your garden grows beautifully in them, and they exude character. Actually, your whole porch is full of cheerful, welcoming character! Anything vintage, and I’m in 🙂

    Reply
  15. Bliss

    June 7, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    Cute! And exactly why I didn’t buy containers yesterday at the nursery. Why buy typical pots when I can have mop buckets?

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  16. Angela

    June 7, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I love it! The mop buckets are perfect with that dresser! The little gnome is pretty awesome, too!

    Reply
  17. [email protected]

    June 7, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    Gnomeo looks like he may have been eating some catnip! 😉

    Love the buckets. I have never seen one like that. Really cool!

    xo-Lisa

    Reply
  18. Linda @ it all started with paint

    June 7, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    I love Laura’s idea of giving gnomio a little mop. And put him to work. Though your porch steps look like they’ve been swept and mopped already!

    Once again am amazed at your clever ideas and amazing vintage finds!

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  19. [email protected]

    June 7, 2012 at 6:09 pm

    So cute! Love Gnomeo!

    Reply
  20. Erin @ His & Hers

    June 7, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    I love the idea of planting in galvanized buckets! Definitely beats actual mopping. Then again, is there anything that DOESN’T beat mopping? Maybe cleaning the shower?

    Where is Gnomeo’s fair Juliet? He must be lonely.

    Reply
  21. Brenda Kula-Pruitt

    June 7, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    I like this idea a lot! Truly proves that if it will hold something, it can be a planter.
    Brenda

    Reply
  22. Liz

    June 7, 2012 at 8:19 pm

    Makes climbing stairs worth the effort. I only wish I could have steps leading to a lovely landing as you have, complete with that adorable planter. The metal contrasted by the pretty floral color and softness is too sweet. Wish I could see it in person.
    Liz

    Reply
  23. Lorrie

    June 7, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Adorable! I love all your buckets! What a fantastic idea~

    Reply
  24. Danielle @ Blessed Serendipity

    June 7, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    Those are so cute. I’m all for repurposing things. Love them lined up on your steps.

    Reply
  25. [email protected] A Sort Of Fairytale

    June 8, 2012 at 12:00 am

    so adorable…love it! you are very clever, kelly!!

    Reply
  26. Am[email protected] Roam

    June 8, 2012 at 11:25 am

    Fantastic! Your steps and porch are just beautiful – totally my style. I want to come over and sit on it. 🙂

    ~Amy

    Reply
  27. Michele

    June 8, 2012 at 11:30 am

    Fantastic!!!
    Love it.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Michele

    Reply
  28. rachel

    June 8, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    such a cute idea! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Lynn Wood

    June 9, 2012 at 12:28 am

    Those mop buckets make such great planters. I’m really gathering up ideas for my front porch and I love this one. Make sure you keep an eye on the gnome, I’m not sure he can be trusted….

    Reply
  30. Kerryanne

    June 9, 2012 at 5:38 am

    I totally love this!!

    I’d love it if you’d consider linking this up at Shabbilicious Friday ~ http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/shabbilicious-friday-link-party-86.html

    Reply
  31. Shannon @ aka design

    June 9, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Love, love, love the vintage tin look of the mop buckets! They look really beautiful down the stairs like that.
    xo,
    Shannon

    Reply
  32. Donna Wilkes

    June 9, 2012 at 7:05 pm

    Kelly, last week I was just commenting on Funky Junk (I think) about my mop bucket with rollers and a long wooden handle that I used to plant red geraniums. A local garden club wanted it for a raffle so i let it go. That was several years ago and I miss it so. I love the look of a whole parade of them marching down the stairs! I guess I will have to post a picture of my urinal (from France as a joke from my brother!) planted with what else – impatiens!

    Distressed Donna Down Home

    Reply
  33. kristin

    June 9, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    I love these going up the stairs, so pretty!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  34. Rhonda ~ Ramblings of a Southern Girl

    June 11, 2012 at 1:04 am

    The container mop bucket gardens are just too cute!!! And I have one of these buckets …somewhere …if I can just find it! LOL! Really like the dresser garden, too!

    Thanks so much for the sweet comment left on my post and for the visit! 🙂

    Reply
  35. Cristina

    June 11, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    I love them! They look great on your steps!!

    Reply
  36. [email protected] Stroll Thru Life

    June 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    Clever, clever, clever. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the buckets. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  37. Vanessa

    June 12, 2012 at 7:29 pm

    Kelly those are sooooo awesome! Thanks so much for sharing them with us last weekend at Inspiration Friday! 🙂
    Vanessa

    Reply
  38. [email protected]

    June 13, 2012 at 12:18 am

    These are adorable. See you at My Dream Canvas. Have a great day. Anu

    Reply
  39. Sandi

    June 13, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    I am so happy I stopped in…this looks beautiful!!

    Reply
  40. Rosemary

    June 13, 2012 at 6:38 pm

    I love it. Great collection of galvanized buckets. Perfect for florals.

    Reply
  41. Dee

    June 13, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    Super sweet idea! I love your mop buckets.

    Dee

    Reply
  42. Sherry

    June 13, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    Kelly, I love the vintage galvanized buckets full of plants. They are so cute on the steps. I appreciate you linking to the OHP this week. Thanks!

    Reply
  43. Linda

    June 13, 2012 at 11:53 pm

    Im crazy about interesting buckets and love that you have used yours as planters.

    Reply
  44. Jessi

    June 14, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    OMG these are just adorable! My flowers are just growing in some regular old flower pots (I did at least paint them fun colors though) but now I want some fun mop buckets! I’d be thrilled if you’d share this over at my current link party so everyone can see how cute these are! http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/06/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-3/

    Reply
  45. Pamela

    June 20, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Those are awesome Kelly and i love how you have them displayed on the steps!

    Reply
  46. Paula

    June 28, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    This is the cutest idea. Looooooove it! This is such an inspirational post. Thanks so much for sharing! I would love it if you would link this to our WIW blog party. Hope you can join us!

    Paula
    Ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

    Reply
  47. Maria

    December 27, 2012 at 4:54 am

    I’ve been using galvanized buckets for flower planters for years, but I drill holes in them for drainage. The mop bucket I have (just like yours!) I haven’t used because I didn’t want to “ruin” it by drilling holes, but your flowers are so pretty in it, I have to re-think its purpose! So my question is: how did you plant geraniums in your bucket?

    Thanks!

    Maria

    Reply
  48. Cookie

    May 1, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    Hey, I collect galvanized mop buckets, but most of them are inside the house being used to store groceries, wood for the Franklin stove, pellets, etc. along with old washtubs, metal refrigerators/pre-fridge iceboxes, etc. Everything is metal! I have planted into galvanized pails, but not the mop buckets, as I am afraid to ruin them. Love your pics!

    ——Cookie in California

    Reply

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KELLY

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Join me as I decorate my 100 year old home, scour thrift stores, create pretty things, putter in my peony and hydrangea filled garden, and mix up a mean cocktail all with a touch of sarcasm and a side of bacon - Cheers!



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Love where you live by mixing high and low, new and old to create a home that shows off your personality. My mantra ... simple projects equals more time for cocktails!
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