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Vintage Wagon Planter

If you have spent anytime at all around here, you will know that I love vintage, antique looking items. The great thing about that is they look really cool, but since they are old, sometimes they fall apart. The Vintage Wagon that we have used for many years as a planter to hold annual flowers had seen it’s better days. So we gave it a quick upgrade and it’s better than ever. 

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

I’m sure that Doug gets frustrated with me sometimes when I want things fixed instead of replaced. He originally thought it would be best to put new wood on the wagon frame, but when I explained to him, that it wouldn’t be vintage anymore, he was on board with it.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

Let me show you how the Vintage Wagon was given new life…

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

This is where he started, as you can see the wood is falling apart around the edges, making it difficult for it to be screwed back together. And there was still old potting soil in the wagon from last year.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

I tried using my hot glue gun last year, and it worked for a short time, but in the end, the wagon just needed to be totally rebuilt.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

The base of the wagon was also in bad shape, with soil crusted on. Doug’s plans included using some exterior grade construction adhesive to build an interior frame to attach the sides to the floor of the wagon, so some cleaning needed to be done before he could get started.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

So he first scraped off the excess soil.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

And removed the old screws.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

Now it was time to build a frame for the wagon sides to be secured to because there was no way the original wood would hold together. He used an exterior grade construction adhesive made by Liquid Nails that is designed for sub-floors. A generous amount on the back of the 1×2’s he picked up at The Home Depot.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

Then he screwed them into the base of the wagon.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

The sides were attached to uprights in the same fashion. Then clamped to hold them in place until they dried.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

Because we wanted to add flowers to the wagon and create a planter, he drilled holes in the bottom.

Vintage Wagon Planter on HoosierHomemade.com

I’m so excited to have my Vintage Wagon back together! We planted Impatiens in the wagon to match the window boxes.

8 Comments

    1. Thanks so much Melissa! Excited you like my little wagon!
      ~Liz

  1. Your vintage wagon looks great!
    It might last longer if you line the inside with plastic or similar material so that the soil and water will not ruin the wood.
    Though I live on the other side of the Atlantic, I simply adore your inspiring ideas!

  2. Leslie Kiley says:

    Your vintage wagon is just adorable! You make everything look so easy. Thanks for the inspiration

  3. What a great use for a vintage wagon. I love that look. Great job! I’ve been looking for unique planters for my container garden, and now I have another idea after seeing your flower bed. 🙂

  4. This is adorable. I have as much garden art as I have inside. Great job on the overhaul.

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda@Tumbleweed Contess

    1. Thanks so much Linda! I love it sitting in the front flower bed.
      ~Liz

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