Upcycle Old Rain Boots Into Colorful Garden Planters

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If you peek into your garage and see a section where one too many pairs of soggy, sad rain boots likely languish, you're not alone. While your children seem to outgrow their boots overnight, you may have other pairs that have sprung a leak and become unusable. And now those shoes collect dust in a garage corner. Instead of casting those once-trusty boots to the curb, why not give them new life as eye-catching, whimsical planters? Old rain boots are one of the best household staples that can be repurposed for garden decor – they're fun, quirky, and already waterproof. 

Upcycling a pair of boots is double duty. It keeps worn footwear out of the landfill and adds playful flair to your garden. Sure, repurposing containers isn't revolutionary, but doing it with quirky, colorful boots? That's an instant conversation starter. With minimal effort, you transform the forgotten into the fabulous. For this project you'll need white spray paint, acrylic paint, sand paper, a drill, and a plastic bag, as well as gardening essentials like potting mix, pebbles, and of course, plants that are suited to container gardening. 

First, grab those boots and get ready to give them new life. Start by pulling out the insoles and drilling a few drainage holes along the bottoms to give water a way out. Think of this step as creating little "escape hatches" in case you get too generous with the watering can. Next, lightly scuff the boot surface with sandpaper so your paint sticks properly. A quick coat of Rustoleum 2x Coverage Flat White Spray Paint works wonders here because it adheres to plastics. Don't worry about perfection. The charm is in the messy, layered look. While the base coat dries, grab some acrylic paints in fun shades (turquoise, gray, red, whatever makes you smile) and brush them on randomly. The goal is a carefree, rustic finish that makes each boot look like a one-of-a-kind garden treasure.

Now it's time to make these stylish boots functional. Drop in an inch or two of small rocks, just past the ankle to both add weight, keeping your boots from toppling over with the first gust of wind, and improve drainage. Next, line the inside with a plastic grocery bag (snip a few holes at the bottom first) to act as a liner and protect your soil from seeping out. 

Fill with fresh potting soil, tuck in your flowers, herbs, or fuss-free plants for garden beginners, and top off with more soil around the roots. Trim away any plastic bag peeking above the boot rim so all you see is a lush, colorful display. Now your rubber boot planter is officially ready to strut its stuff on the porch, in the garden, or even along your front walkway. Once your old boots are blooming, you might be ready to find a way to repurpose those old tires.