How to Turn a Wine Crate into a Planter
Embrace a greener lifestyle by recycling old wooden crates and turning them into something you can use forever.
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Whether you're a beginner gardener or an experienced one, there's something to learn in this Howcast video series about gardening tools and equipment.
You Will Need
- Wine crate
- Wood filler
- Putty knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Two colors of paint or wood stain
- Paintbrushes
- Stencil
- Painter's tape
- Varnish
- Plastic planter liner
- Potting soil
- Plants or seeds
- Latex gloves (optional)
- Particulate mask (optional)
- Newspaper (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Find a wine crate
Find a wine crate from your local winery, vineyard, or liquor store.
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Many vineyards and wine purveyors will sell wine crates a very low cost or give them away for free.
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Step 2
Fill holes and lettering
Fill any holes or lettering with wood filler using a putty knife to smooth the surface of the putty. Allow the filler to dry as directed by the manufacturer.
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Step 3
Sand
Sand the exterior of the crate, paying special attention to the areas you filled with wood filler, until smooth, with fine-grit sandpaper.
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Step 4
Paint or stain
Paint or stain the crate following the manufacturer's directions for application and drying time. Repeat with a second coat.
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Step 5
Stencil
Lay the stencil across the planter and tape it into place with painter's tape.
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Step 6
Paint stencil
Paint in the stencil using the second color of paint or stain and a clean paintbrush. Remove the stencil and allow time for the paint to dry.
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Step 7
Varnish
Apply varnish in one even coat to protect the paint finish. Allow it time to dry.
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If you use spray varnish, be sure to wear latex gloves and a mask and lay down newspaper to protect any other surfaces.
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Step 8
Insert liner
Insert a plastic planter liner inside the planter to protect the wood from water damage and then fill with potting soil and any plant of your choosing. Watch those beauties grow.
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Champagne is a sparkling white wine that is made in the Champagne region of France following a particular method of fermentation called methode champenoise.
