DIY Outdoor Hanging Planter

Total Time:1 30

Equipment

Gutter
Gutter Screws
Drill
Gutter End Caps
Drill Bits
Rope
Plant Hooks

Supplies

10 ft. traditional gutter - I used a metal gutter as locally vinyl isn't available so don't be discouraged and think you can't make this if you can't find the vinyl ones - update: the vinyl ones are currently available and here is a link to the ones I found
3 Sets – White Gutter End Caps - 3 left and 3 right
White gutter screws - 18 the package I purchased contained 25
20 ´– ¼ in x 1ft. white braided nylon and polyester rope cut at the store or purchased using the provided link
2 – 3 in. Steel Screw-In Plant Hooks

Instructions

I purchased One 10-foot gutter and an associate at the hardware store cut it into 4 equal 30 inch sections. Be careful when handling this - the metal edges can be sharp.
Measure for gutter holes - turn your gutters upside down and mark 3" in from the short side and ½" in from the long side.
Now flip your gutters right side up and mark 3" in from the short side and ½" in from the long side on all 4 corners and once again, make a mark.
Do this on all 3 gutters, both right and left sides. Drill holes at each mark - I used the ⅛" drill bit to do pilot holes first since I was using a metal gutter and then used those holes as a guide for drilling with my ⅜" drill bit. You will have 8 holes on each gutter.
I also drilled two ⅜" inch drainage holes on the bottom of each gutter and four ⅛" holes for drainage as well.
Next, cut your rope in half into two 10' lengths.
Tie a knot at one end of each rope piece.
Thread the unknotted end of the loose cord (rope) through one of the holes in the bottom of the left gutter section and then out the hole in the side.
You can put a piece of tape on the end to make the threading easier. Repeat the threading up and through the bottom hole and through the side hole on the next two gutter sections.
Measure 12" of slack and tie a knot between the second and third sections. You will have a knot underneath each gutter on each side.
Once all three gutter sections have been threaded loop the top and thread it back down the inside hole of the left gutter.
Once the rope has been threaded down through the last remaining bottom hole of the third gutter section make a know (again, this is underneath the gutter).
I left any excess in place to allow for adjusting once hung. Repeat the above steps for the right side.
Place the end caps on each side of your gutters. I added gutter screws to each end cap since I was using a metal gutter.
Secure plant screw hooks into a beam or a strong support. Loop the two S-hooks on each side of the top ropes and hang your gutter planters.
Once hanging, you may need to loosen and adjust the simple knots between each gutter section. Mine were fairly even but I did have to do some adjusting.
Once everything is adjusted, cut off any excess cord.
What Plants Can I Grow in Vertical Planters?
Add a good quality potting mix and fill your planters with whatever your heart desires! Plants like string of pearls love basking in full sun, while blue lobelia flourishes in partial shade.
Herbs are another great alternative and would be perfect for an outdoor kitchen garden.
Keep in mind that if a plant doesn't work out you can gently remove it from the planter and replace it with a new one!
I customized mine by adding vinyl cutouts for each gutter level (I used my Cricut to make these - all of the SVG files can be found for free in Cricut Access).
I wanted one gutter for vegetables, one for herbs and one for flowers.
I added flowers to the center level as well- you can never have too many flowers.
Keep in mind when filling your planter that there will not be a lot of room for growth or spread so smaller flowers and herbs will work bett

As with any of my recipes, calorie counts and nutritional information varies greatly depending on which products you choose to use when cooking this dish.

Calories:

Author: Mary Beth