Galvanized Bucket Planter with an Old Faucet

I first noticed bucket and faucet planters at a high-end garden shop while on a shopping trip years ago. As charming as it was, though, the price was a little steep. I had a sneaking suspicion, however, that I could recreate the same look with a galvanized bucket and an old faucet.

I just needed to find the right pieces for my planter idea. So, I kept my eyes peeled for the right elements during my various Junkin’ Journey road trips. And sure enough, I found exactly what I was looking for. 

Now I just needed to bring my vision to life and add some pretty flowers!

This post contains affiliate links for your crafting convenience. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All blue, bold, and underlined text is a clickable link, either to a product or to a related post.

Building a Galvanized Bucket Planter

The galvanized bucket (complete with its red handle) is an old USDA bucket. I found it at an antiques shop in Hendersonville, NC. Isn’t it perfect?

It was a great size to become a galvanized bucket planter to set on our front porch.

The old faucet or spigot is a great piece of vintage hardware. I’m not sure if it came from a kitchen or bathroom, but you can’t beat that porcelain handle.

I found it at an architectural salvage store on a Junkin’ Journey. I wish they had had more of them, but alas, this was the only one I could find.

Either way, it would be perfect as a decorative hose bibb to have in my galvanized bucket planter.

Now, to complete my galvanized bucket planter, I needed a couple of elements from the hardware store. First, I measured the depth of the bucket and brought the salvaged faucet to the store itself.

With a little help from an employee, I was able to find a pipe and pipe nipple that fit my spigot perfectly!

And the pipe was long enough to set the bibb well above the top of the bucket.

Now I just needed to hit the nursery and pick up my flowers of choice and some potting soil!

Galvanized Bucket Planter with a Decorative Hose Bibb

I decided to go with Portulaca (or moss roses) because I’ve always, always loved them. And I figured they would spread out nicely in the galvanized bucket.

First, I placed some gravel in the bottom of the bucket before adding the soil. Then I just transplanted a few portulaca plants from their plastic planters. 

Now all I had to do was be patient and wait for the moss roses to fill in and spread out. Or, at least, I HOPED they’d spread out and bill up the bucket.

And spread out they did…

Apparently, portulaca REALLY like a galvanized bucket planter. I’ve planted and replanted this bucket for several years now, and the result is always the same!

Sometimes the blooms even end up hiding the faucet! Maybe I should get a taller piece of pipe now?!

And before you ask, no, I didn’t drill drainage holes in the bucket. I couldn’t bring myself to do it and year after year, the portulaca flourish!

So what do you think? I know I’m biased, but I think this one is WAY cuter than the pre-fab ones. And come autumn, it’s easy to dismantle and all the parts store within the galvanized bucket- perfect!

Gotta love how well an upcycled planter works out, right? Just like this metal magazine rack did recently!

Speaking of which, if you love upcycled planters, then you might really enjoy this collection of repurposed garden planters here for even more inspiration!

Craft on!

S

Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?

Please subscribe here.

Join me on Social Media:

 

 

 

 

 
PIN ME!