How to: make a flowering barrow

Photo - Linda Ross

Eden, Isla and Skye have planted up a hot pink wheelbarrow to add dazzle to the back garden. It can easily be shifted to give the best view from indoors, or to catch the most sun. Let your imagination go wild!

What to do

Keep an eye out in council cleanups for an old metal or plastic wheelbarrow.

Ask an adult to drill some drainage holes into the bottom of the wheelbarrow and sand off any rusty or flaky paint.

Use a spray paint for metal or plastic to paint the barrow. We chose Dulux Flamingo Pink. Ask an adult to help.

When the paint is dry, fill the barrow with premium quality potting mix. For the best effect, slightly mound up the soil in the centre of the barrow.

Now the fun part! Place the plants, still in their pots/punnets, in different positions, about 15 to 20cm, apart to see how they look best.

Once you are happy with your design, it’s time to plant. Carefully remove each plant one at a time from its punnet or pot and dig a hole. You may need a trowel. Put some controlled release fertiliser at the bottom of the hole and plant. Continue to plant up your design.

Water in your plants with a seaweed solution. Place your wheelbarrow in a partially shaded spot for a couple of days to give the plants a chance to settle.

Wheel the barrow into the sun and show it off! Don’t forget to water regularly.

Barrow plants

The girls chose petunias, marigolds, dahlias and calibrachoas. Other annuals that are suitable include alyssum, lobelia, calendula, pansies, poppies, primulas and wallflowers. You could even add some flowering bulbs to your barrow, or fill it with vegetables instead. Have fun!

Text: Isla Barlow