When you're planting a patio garden, one of the first things you start looking for is planting pots. So you trot off to your nearest garden center, or maybe look at various other retailers for some decorative new containers for your soon to be garden. But, before you start on your journey, how about thinking outside the box, or rather outside the pot?

Just because there's a wide variety of planting pots out there, it doesn't mean you have to stick to the norm. How about going with something a little more un-traditional?

Just think about your favorite sport, pastime or your line of work. Maybe you like sports such as baseball, football, basketball and such. How about using a helmet, a ball with the top cut off or even just a shoe? Let's say you like music. Ok, so how about using a drum, a horned instrument or even instrument cases? You might be a plumber, so you could use a toilet or sink. You work for the postal service, then maybe a mail box. You love horses? Then saddle up your deck railing and convert an old saddle.

The possibilities are nearly endless with what all you can use for a pot. If it has a hole in it, or a hole can be fashioned into it, then you can use it. Even if it's round, you can put something under it to keep it balanced. Get creative there too.

Once you have your unique planter, there's just a few things to remember. If it's a type of metal that can rust, you'll want to line it with something that will keep any rust from your plants or flowers. There's different liners available from almost any retailer that sells garden supplies. A good example is "coco liners". These types of liners will work for just about any type of container, as long as it's large enough. You might also want to consider waterproofing your material. Just make sure that whatever you use, it's environmentally and plant friendly.

Drainage isn't a problem either. If you can't poke holes in it for adequate drainage, you can layer small rocks, marbles or even packing peanuts in the bottom first to prevent root rot. A good level of rocks or such is 2 to 3 inches.

Last but not least? Have fun and take heed from a classic saying by a brilliant man:

"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create."

Albert Einstein

Learn more about this author, Sheryl Spencer.
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