9 Whiskey Barrel Planter Ideas That’ll Brighten Up Your Homestead

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Check out these whiskey barrel planter ideas! Whiskey barrel planters are a fun and easy way to create a splash of color and greenery around your yard. And homestead!

Whether you’re looking for a quick solution to create instant planters or have a load of old barrels around ready to repurpose, we’ve got some breathtaking whiskey barrel planter ideas that you won’t believe.

Before we share the best whiskey barrel planters we found, let’s talk about how to stuff your whiskey barrel planter with beautiful herbs, flowers, and veggies. And – which options we like best.

Sound good?

What to Plant In Whiskey Barrel Planters?

Regarding what to plant in a whiskey barrel planter? You can get spoilt for choice! You can go for a vivid splash of summer color or opt for a lovely array of plants with a native theme.

Ideas for Your Whiskey Barrel Planter

Colorful flowers
Native plants
Herbs
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Peppers

Consider whether you want year-round growth and flowers. Or if your planter will become a seasonal display. Deciding the ideal use of your whiskey barrel planter will also tie into your local climate. If you choose perennial plants, you will need to ensure they can survive cold winter weather and hot, dry summers.

Or perhaps you want your whiskey barrel planter to be productive? As well as beautiful? There is no reason why you can’t fill it full of herbs, fruiting bushes, or even vegetables.

Adding flowers (or herbs and veggies) to your whiskey barrel planters can be a great way to bring color and interest into your yard. And it can serve ready-to-harvest ingredients right by your kitchen door.

Whiskey Barrel Planter Flower Ideas

Flowers are a beautiful way to bring color into your life! And they attract beneficial insects to pollinate your beloved vegetables. If you’re a homesteader, it is easy to get hung up on the productive things in life, but there is always time to plant a few flowers too!

So – we searched to find the best whiskey barrel planter ideas. With loads of flowers!

We found some perfect for all climates. And all styles.

Here are our favorites.

Fall Color Container Planting Scheme by North Coast Gardening

vibrant whiskey barrel planter with spiny grass — The colors burst out of this whiskey barrel planter like a flower-laden meadow! We love the spiny grass accented with lovely pastel-orange impatiens. Credit goes to North Coast Gardening for a splendid whiskey barrel planter idea.

A gorgeous combination of red, orange, and purple offer a vivid and eye-catching display!

Multicolor Summer Floral Display by Gilded Bloom

colorful wine barrel flower planter — Here’s a breathtaking wine barrel planter idea from the Gilded Bloom blog. We love the wide variety of colors packed into such a tiny package. Check out their blog for more flower planter ideas!

This wine barrel planter wins bonus points for the most different colors. And we love all the textures squeezed into the wine barrel!

Spilled Flower Barrel by Southern Patio

beautiful whiskey barrel planter spilled design — Here’s one of our favorite whiskey barrel gardens we had to share! It’s a spill-over design with plenty of mulch. And colorful flowers! Check out Southern Patio’s blog for an excellent spilled whiskey barrel planter tutorial. They have plenty of photos. And instructions!

I love this quirky take on the whiskey barrel planter idea, which has the bonus of being easier to maintain too.

Read More – 16 Beautiful Yellow Flowering Bushes!

Whiskey Barrel Planter Ideas for Full Sun

In the full sun – you’ll need to use plants that cope with lower water amounts. And extreme heat! Here are some of my favorite choices. They’re perfect if your whiskey barrel sits in a spot smothered with warm sunlight.

Succulent Filled Planter by Succaholic Mum

You don’t get much more low maintenance than succulents, which can survive hot summers with minimal water. I love the contrasting colors and textures achieved with different succulent plants.

Strawberry Barrel Planter by Laura’s Garden

Many people struggle to grow strawberries. But putting them in a barrel in full sun is a surefire way to get an abundant crop.

Whiskey Barrel Planter Ideas for Shady Gardens

Shady garden spots can be tricky, but using a planter gives you many more options on how best to brighten up a dark corner.

Barrel Wildlife Pond by Gardening for Wildlife

Take advantage of a shady spot in your garden by transforming your barrel into this adorable pond. Your local wildlife will thank you for it!

Whiskey Barrel Planter with Fairy Lights by HaxMan

I love this creative way to bring light into your garden! A shady spot can transform into a sparkling grove with the clever use of barrel planters and fairy lights.

Whiskey Barrel Vegetable Planter Ideas

I love the idea that a whiskey barrel planter can be productive. And beautiful! Many fast-growing crops will grow well in containers with perennial plants and herbs.

Vegetable Garden Planter by Sagebrook Farms

This jam-packed barrel is an excellent example of how a diverse range of vegetables can grow happily together.

Barrel Planter Herb Garden by Cedar Grove Lodge

It is so handy to have your kitchen herbs as close as possible to your house, and a barrel herb planter by your door makes a really pretty feature too.

Whiskey Barrel Planter Growing Guide

Now we’ve filled your head with inspiration with some fantastic whiskey barrel planter ideas, let’s take a look at the practicalities of creating a fabulous floral display!

What Do You Use to Fill a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

Your whiskey barrel planter can get filled with the right combination of growing medium and other substrates to keep your plants nourished and the soil damp yet well-drained.

At the very base of the whiskey barrel planter, start with a layer of small rocks or large pebbles. You don’t necessarily need to go out and buy anything for this purpose, as you can use any stones around the yard. The purpose of this layer is to aid draining, as soil at the bottom would soon become compacted and retain water.

Next, fill your barrel with a good quality growing medium on top of the drainage layer. Don’t be tempted to use poor-quality topsoil, as the plants will soon use up all the available nutrients and fail to thrive. The best option is potting soil. Potting soil will retain moisture well and offer your plants many months of nutrients.

Top tip – a lot of potting soil can get expensive, so add a layer of small logs or twigs first! Twigs and logs will gradually decompose, providing slow-release nutrients for your plants.

Other optional extras to add to your whiskey barrel planter are water retention granules and slow-release fertilizers. Your whiskey barrel planter will do just fine without them, but using them will give your plants an added boost!

You could also consider placing a layer of bark chips around your plants to act as a mulch. Bark chips can be immensely beneficial if you live in a hot climate prone to drought.

Should You Line a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

It is not essential to line a whiskey barrel planter. But doing so will improve the pot’s water retention and increase the planter’s longevity. If you use a liner, remember to make drainage holes in the bottom.

A good quality whiskey barrel will naturally expand when the wood is wet, helping to hold in water. However, maintaining constant contact with damp soil will increase the rate at which the wood starts to rot.

whiskey barrel planter with dahlia and petunia flowers — We love these whiskey barrel ideas for ample soil space. And epic backyard beauty! Here you see a lovely whiskey barrel planter idea with dahlias and petunias. The billowing blooms and colorful flowers love the direct sunlight. They add instant curb appeal to any outdoor space. Whiskey and authentic oak wine barrels also add a rustic charm that plastic or clay pots can’t match.

Do I Need to Drill Holes in Whiskey Barrel Planters?

If your whiskey barrel planter does not already have drainage holes, you will need to drill some. Drainage holes are vital to allow excess water to drain away. Without this, too much water can accumulate in the planter’s base, causing it to become waterlogged. Plants do not like having their roots in too much water and will fail to thrive or even die.

What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Barrel Planter?

At the very base of your barrel planter, it is a good idea to lay some soil retention fabric to prevent soil from being washed through the drainage holes. Soil retention fabric will allow water to exit freely – without losing all your lush potting soil.

whiskey barrel planter stuffed with colorful heucheras — Here’s a gorgeous wine barrel bed with lovely heucheras. They add beautiful fall colors. Notice how the top of the wine barrel doesn’t look watertight. But – the bottom of the barrel seems snugger. We’ve seen plenty of wine barrels expand when exposed to water over time. We always advise creating small drain holes in your authentic whiskey barrel planter! Otherwise – your plants may get waterlogged – even if your whiskey barrel is many feet deep!

How Long Do Barrel Planters Last?

If cared for correctly and protected from extreme weather and moisture, a barrel planter can last for two to twenty years. A genuine whiskey barrel will get made from hardwood such as oak. (American white oak is probably the most popular.)

How Do You Make Whiskey Barrels Last Longer?

A great way to make whiskey barrel planters last longer is to raise them off the ground using pavers. Lifting your whiskey barrel planter off the ground helps the planter’s base dry out in between watering, preventing the wood from rotting.

diy wooden whiskey barrel planter with conifer tree — Want a deep-green whiskey barrel planter idea? Here you see a lush evergreen conifer nestled inside a whiskey barrel planter. You can also see ageratum flowers growing alongside the whiskey barrel garden. You have more options than conifer trees! Whiskey barrels are also perfect for sun plants, perennial flowers, fairy gardens, basil plants, barrel succulents, tomato plants, and multicolored, full-sun flowers. Whiskey barrels are also spacious – and provide many feet of soil.

How Do You Waterproof a Whiskey Barrel?

A whiskey barrel has good water retention properties – when the wood is wet, it expands and forms a tight seal that will not allow water to pass. Tight seals allow wine and whiskey to get stored in barrels without leaking!

If you use a whiskey barrel as a planter, it is not necessary to waterproof the exterior. But – you could use a wood preservative to help it last longer. Or a liner to protect the wood from excess moisture.

The hardwood used to make whiskey barrels is relatively rot-resistant. It should last for many years. However, this process can get sped up if they are used as planters, as the wood usually faces extreme temperatures as well as higher levels of moisture.

3 Wooden Bucket Barrel Garden Planters | Best Choice Product

Do you have too many whiskey planter barrel ideas? Then you need more than one whiskey barrel! Here’s a set of three rustic whiskey barrel planters – perfect for herbs, veggies, flowers, or decorative plants. They’re stain-resistant and finished. The whiskey barrels aren’t massive – but they come in three sizes. The three barrels are 14-inches, 11.5 inches, and 10-inches high.

Get More Info

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08/19/2022 08:38 am GMT

Do Termites Like Wine Barrels?

Sadly, wine barrel planters create the perfect habitat for termites. They love the damp wood and dark conditions. And they can quickly cause your whiskey barrel planter to deteriorate. If you live in an area renowned for termites, it is advisable not to place wooden planters near your home.

What Can You Plant in a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

You have endless options. Whiskey barrel planters are not just for flowers! You can grow herbs, soft fruits, vegetables, and small trees in a whiskey barrel planter.

We love this sideways wine barrel idea! It’s a unique twist on a wine barrel planter. We think growing your flowers in such a fashion would offer benefits over a vertical whiskey planter idea. First – it has tons of real estate. You can cultivate lots of plants this way! We also think wine barrel planters are perfect for growing savory herbs. We read one article where the author has excellent luck growing thyme in whiskey barrels. We think whiskey barrels could also host a stunning variety of other herbs. Yummy garden treats for everybody!

What Flowers Do Good in Planters?

The best flowers for planters are annuals, as these can get replaced yearly. Redressing your whiskey barrel planter each year allows you to replace some of the soil in the spring, ready for the next display of flowering plants.

What Plants are Good for Planters in Full Sun?

Plants that live in full sun should be drought tolerant, as planters will dry out much faster than flowerbeds. I love to use Mediterranean herbs in whiskey barrel planters, such as rosemary, sage, lavender, and thyme.

Whiskey planter ideas aren’t your only option. Authentic oak wine barrels also make excellent barrel planters! If your backyard has bad soil – no worries. You can augment your whiskey barrel planter with plenty of fresh garden compost. This wine planter got stuffed with beautiful red impatiens flowers. Impatiens are perfect for adding a vibrant array of colors to your backyard. They’re not only red! Impatiens flowers are multicolored! You can find them in lavender blue, violet, orange, white, and pink.

What Flowers Come Back Every Year?

Flowers that come back every year are called perennials. There are (nearly) endless types of perennial flowers that suit all different climates and growing conditions.

What Are the Best Flowering Perennials for Pots?

My favorite flowering perennials for pots are those with a compact, bushy appearance. Most of these tend to have an abundance of flowers over several months. Good options include polygala, lavatera, hydrangea, and penstemon.

How Do You Take Care of a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

Your plants in your whiskey barrel planter will require regular watering through the drier, warmer months of the year. A top dressing of mulch can be helpful to help water retention. You should remove any annual plants during winter and prune perennials, ready for a floral display the following summer.

Read More – 11 Herbs with Beautiful White Flowers!

Conclusion

Whiskey barrel planters are one of the best ways to dress up your backyard.

And – you can fill them with an endless array of flowers, vegetables, and herbs.

It’s tricky to know where to start! Why not have a few whiskey barrel planters?

That way – you can grow plenty of flowers, herbs, and snacks for yourself and your friends. And then choosing what to plant inside isn’t so difficult!

What about you?

Which whiskey barrel planters sound (and look) the best?

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks so much for reading.

And – have a great day!

Kate moved to Portugal last year and lives with her husband, two cats, six hens, and a glorious Brahma rooster called Mary. Earlier this year they purchased a half-hectare ‘quinta’ – traditional terraced land with olive trees, grapevines, and a house to renovate.

They are currently living in a small campervan which is a challenging but fun experience!

Kate has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry and is also a passionate gardener – turning a grassy field into a productive vegetable patch in just three months.

Future plans include more animals, particularly sheep and goats for milk production to make cheese, butter, and yogurt! Kate and her husband are aiming to create a self-sufficient off-grid life on their quinta, fulfilling a life-long dream.

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Prev Article Next Article

What to Plant In Whiskey Barrel Planters?

Whiskey Barrel Planter Flower Ideas

Fall Color Container Planting Scheme by North Coast Gardening

Multicolor Summer Floral Display by Gilded Bloom

Spilled Flower Barrel by Southern Patio

Whiskey Barrel Planter Ideas for Full Sun

Succulent Filled Planter by Succaholic Mum

Strawberry Barrel Planter by Laura’s Garden

Whiskey Barrel Planter Ideas for Shady Gardens

Barrel Wildlife Pond by Gardening for Wildlife

Whiskey Barrel Planter with Fairy Lights by HaxMan

Whiskey Barrel Vegetable Planter Ideas

Vegetable Garden Planter by Sagebrook Farms

Barrel Planter Herb Garden by Cedar Grove Lodge

Whiskey Barrel Planter Growing Guide

What Do You Use to Fill a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

Should You Line a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

Do I Need to Drill Holes in Whiskey Barrel Planters?

What Do You Put in the Bottom of a Barrel Planter?

How Long Do Barrel Planters Last?

How Do You Make Whiskey Barrels Last Longer?

How Do You Waterproof a Whiskey Barrel?

Do Termites Like Wine Barrels?

What Can You Plant in a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

What Flowers Do Good in Planters?

What Plants are Good for Planters in Full Sun?

What Flowers Come Back Every Year?

What Are the Best Flowering Perennials for Pots?

How Do You Take Care of a Whiskey Barrel Planter?

Conclusion

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