Make a simple table
As well as making effective rustic features, crates have practical uses in the garden. An upturned deep crate becomes a simple patio table. Take out the middle section and, voila; there’s space for a drinks chiller!
Get stacked
Try combining a number of crates in creative ways to show off plants that are at their peak. Stack them on their sides to make shelves. In a sunny spot, you could keep all your herbs in one place for accessible harvesting, or it could be an holiday-home for houseplants - a sheltered place to keep them outside in summer.
Attach a crate on its side to a garden fence or wall with screws or strong adhesive to create a ‘theatre’ to show off seasonal cut flowers, succulents or auriculas. It also provides you with a handy shelf to house seeds, tools and labels while you’re pottering in the garden.
Hang it up
Or try elevating your crate. A light crate makes for a quirky twist on the traditional hanging basket with hooks inserted into each corner to clip the chain onto. Choose drought-tolerant plants because the compost will dry out quickly in the shallow depth.
Easy container crate
To turn a crate into a planter, simply line it with hessian, then a layer of plastic, stapled into place and punched with a few holes for drainage. Fill with compost and push in a some twiggy branches for supports. Plant up some edibles such as herbs, cut-and-come-again salad leaves and a couple of pea plants to twine up the sticks for a wonderfully rustic display of edibles.