Weekend DIY: Busted Bike to Perfect Garden Planter
Spring is here, and that can only mean one thing: it’s time for outdoor projects! That’s why we’re walking you through some of the projects we did on Property Brothers: Forever Home. This week, we’re revisiting our reno with Leah and Jason, which included a new outdoor seating and garden area. When the Bros found an old bike down the street just waiting to be picked up by a garbage truck, they had an idea. Not only did they save the bike from a landfill, but they also made Leah and Jason’s yard beautiful, by turning it into a beautiful bicycle planter. And we’re going to show you how!
You can find old bikes just about anywhere. If you have a trash drop-off site nearby, you’re almost certain to find one sitting out. You could also look for people selling them for cheap or for free on online forums like Facebook Marketplace. Once you’ve got your set of wheels, it’s time to find the perfect place to put it. Keep in mind you’ll want to find somewhere you can lean the bike. (Don’t rely on a kickstand, or else you’re going to find your garden crushed anytime there’s a storm!) That’s why this is a great project to place close to a house, porch, or deck so it stays steady. Now, let’s get ready to spruce up your yard and really up-cycle that bicycle!
Tools You Might Need
Step 1: Remove Unnecessary Parts
To start, we’re cutting brake lines, removing streamers, and getting rid of anything we don’t need for the final product (or that just gets in the way). You can cut brake lines pretty easily with a pair of pliers or wire cutters; on fixed-gear bikes, you likely won’t even have to worry about it.
It’s up to you whether you leave the chain on. In the project for Leah and Jason, the Bros took it off, cleaned it, and painted it before reinstalling. It makes for a cleaner look, if you can salvage it, and the bicycle planter will look a bit more effortless in the end.
Step 2: Prep the Bike Frame
For this part, it definitely helps if you picked up a bike with very few cosmetic issues. Unfortunately, you might spend some time on rust removal if you don’t. To prep the bicycle, you can use either sandpaper or steel wool. All you’re trying to do is smooth out the surface so that the paint adheres better, so it doesn’t have to be perfect. If you use a spray paint designed to go right over rust, then you’re in even better shape.
You also want to make sure there’s no grease on the frame—it needs to be clean. For this, you can use anything from dishwashing soap to a stronger degreaser, depending on how tough it’s stuck on.
Step 3: Paint Your Bicycle Planter
Spray paint is the fastest and best choice. Some people may like a matte finish, but the Bros recommend going with a paint that’s got a little bit of a sheen to it. Of course, you’ll also want to make sure that it’s meant for outdoor use. Some modeling spray paints are not good outside, so double check the label.
Then, remove any parts that you don’t want to get spray paint on, like the wheels. You might want to look for a bike that has wheels with quick-release levers. (It’s way easier than wrenching and fighting decades of old grease and rust!) Plus, if they do have a lot of rust on them, you might need to go over the wheels and spokes with steel wool as well. If you really want them to shine, add some Simichrome Polish—a little goes a long way.
After that, you can go to town on the frame. Make sure you have an old tarp or plastic sheets to lay down where you’re painting. If you don’t have a tarp, laying down some old plastic or paper bags will do the trick.
Step 4: Attach the Basket
Once you’ve reinstalled the wheels and your newly-painted chain (if you kept it), there’s one final detail to add. This is also the one place you’re probably going to want something new. A new bike basket will be weather-resistant, and you can choose the look you want to match your outdoor space. Something woven or with slats will work best with the elements. If it doesn’t come with bike straps, you can easily run some zipties through the back to attach it to the bike. And if you prefer, you can even paint the basket if it works better with your theme.
Step 5: Add Some Plants
Now you’re ready to plant! Put some basic potting soil inside the basket, and then add whatever flowers or plants you like. Depending on what color you painted your bike, consider coordinating your flowers to match. Or instead, base it around your other outdoor decor. It’s completely up to you. Congrats—your bicycle planter is finally finished!
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