How to make a recycled raised bed and pollinator pot

Get recycling with your child (or grandchild) with these two simple-to-make complementary DIY projects – a raised bed made entirely from reclaimed items and a fun upcycled pot to attract pollinating insects.

Bear in mind: Being made from recycled (untreated) wooden objects, this project will have a limited lifespan outside but should be good for a couple of growing seasons at least.

How to make a recycled raised bed and pollinator pot
As seen in kiwigardener

Kid's project › Pollinator pot

Raised bed (one for the grown-ups)

You will need:

Tools:

*Depending on your cabinet and drawers, you may not need to use the trim on all sections

Materials:

  • Clean cloth
  • Hammer
  • Paintbrush
  • Pencil
  • Putty knife or similar
  • Sandpaper
  • Saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape measure

Top tip: Avoid using any recycled cabinets or drawers made from particleboard (MDF, hardboard or chipboard) as these materials will quickly deteriorate outside.

Instructions

 

Step 1 - remove the doors and backing Step one
Remove the doors and backing from the old wooden cabinet, as shown.

Step 2 - remove the handles and base from each of the drawers Step two
Remove the handles and base from each of the drawers. Fill any holes or major imperfections in the drawers and cabinet using Resene EzyFill GP filler. Allow to dry.

Step 3 - sand Step three
Sand any filled areas and then sand the outside of the cabinet and drawers to ‘key’ the surface. Wipe off any sanding residue with a clean cloth.

Step 4 - measure, mark and cut thirteen pieces of wooden trim Step four
Lay the cabinet on its back and then measure, mark and cut thirteen pieces of wooden trim to fit around the top (and centre, if required) edges of the cabinet (five pieces) and drawers (four pieces each). For the neatest finish, mitre the ends, as shown.

Step 5 - apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry Step five
Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry to all surfaces of the cabinet, drawers and the cut pieces of trim. Allow to dry.

Step 6 - attach the thirteen pieces of trim into position Step six
Attach the thirteen pieces of trim into position on the cabinet and drawers, as shown, fixing with 25mm nails.

Step 7 - apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen Step seven
Apply two coats of Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen waterborne paint tinted to Resene Deep Teal to all surfaces of the cabinet and drawers, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

To finish - position on the ground and fill with potting mix To finish
Position the cabinet and drawers on level ground and fill with good-quality potting mix, ready to plant with your choice of flowers, herbs and veges.

Step 1 - drill a 10mm drainage hole in the bottom of the tin Step one
Carefully drill a 10mm drainage hole in the bottom of the tin and smooth the edges of the drilled hole with a small metal file.

Step 2 - apply one coat of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer Step two
Apply one coat of Resene ArmourX GP Metal Primer to all surfaces of the tin baking container (inside and out) and allow to dry.

Step 3 - paint the outside and inner top rim of the tin Step three
Paint the outside and inner top rim of the tin with two coats of Resene Bingo, allowing two hours for each coat to dry.

Step 4 - paint flower shapes with Resene Havoc Step four
Paint a few flower shapes around the outside of the tin using Resene Havoc.

Step 5 - paint flower shapes with Resene Candy Floss and Resene Sunflower Step five
Add some more flower shapes around the outside of the tin using Resene Candy Floss and Resene Sunflower.

Step 6 - paint flower shapes with Resene Kamikaze Step six
Add a few more flower shapes around the outside of the tin using Resene Kamikaze.

Step 7 - paint flower shapes with Resene Daisy Bush and Resene Japonica Step seven
Fill in the remaining bare spaces with flower shapes using Resene Daisy Bush and Resene Japonica. Allow all the paint colours to dry.

Step 8 - paint a dot in the centre of each flower Step eight
Paint a dot in the centre of each flower shape using Resene Brown Pod and allow to dry.

To finish - add potting mix and plant To finish
Get an adult to help you put potting mix in your pot and then plant it with a selection of flowering plants that will appeal to pollinating insects like bees and butterflies – we chose nicotiana and salvias but there are plenty of others to choose from. Add the pot to your planter to bring the pollinators to your patch!

Words and photos by Mark Rayner

 

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