The votes are in! We asked our Facebook fans what type of pallet project they wanted to make and the answer was a pallet garden! Combining the ever-popular pallet with beautiful blossoms is easy, inexpensive and impressive. For awe-inspiring annuals, remember to regularly water your pallet garden. Pay special attention to your bottom two slots – They tend to get the driest!
We found this easy and comprehensive step-by-step from Life on the Balcony. Plus, it’s beautiful! What will blossom in your pallet garden?
1. Find Your Pallet
To find free pallets, call your local garden supply store or any shop that carries large equipment. Be creative – one user found pallet gold at the Harley Davidson shop!
2. Collect Your Supplies
You’ll need: Your pallet, two large bags of potting soil, 16 six-pack starter plants of annual flowers, a small roll of landscape fabric, a staple gun, staples and sandpaper. You’ll find these items at your local hardware store. Popular annuals include: Marigolds, Poppies and Morning Glories.
3. Clean Your Pallet
You probably picked the best of the litter, but give your pallet another once-over for chipped wood and loose nails. Use the sandpaper to smooth any potentially dangerous spots. If you’re going to paint it, paint it now with water-resistant paint.
4. Staple the Landscape Fabric
You’re going to cover the bottom, back and sides of your pallet with landscape fabric, so choose which side of your pallet you want to show. Lay your pallet face down, and then roll the landscape fabric over the entire back. If it looks thin, layer the fabric twice. Staple the fabric into place near the top edge of the board, and then pull it taut. Staple every two inches. Repeat the stapling process on all four sides of the pallet until the back and sides are fully covered with fabric.
5. Staple Again
Staple along the spine of the pallet and anywhere you think soil could fall out of the pallet. You can’t over staple this project.
6. Plant Your Annuals
You’re going to plant with your pallet laying flat on the ground, so bring it close to its final spot and lay it top up. First, slide the plants into what will be the top. Plant very tightly – you don’t want any soil to fall out. Once the top is capped, pour the entire first bag of potting soil onto the pallet and push it through the slots. Repeat this process with the second bag. Then, plant at least six plants into each open pallet slot, making sure to tightly pack the soil.
Photo: The Local Spoon
7. Show Off Your Pallet Garden
When you’re done, you should have plants completely covering each opening and the soil should be hidden.
Keep in mind that there are some serious health hazards associated with mixing pallets with potential foods. For a colorful and safe garden, grow flowers instead of herbs. To learn more about why you shouldn’t use herbs.