Repurpose An Old Pair Of Hiking Boots Into The Cutest Planter

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The best hiking boots can log hundreds or thousands of miles over the most rugged terrain. Eventually, however, even the sturdiest, most beloved pair needs to be retired. Rather than tossing those old boots, there's an easy DIY that will repurpose them into charming planters. Really it's as simple as prepping your boots for their new life, filling them with soil and plants, and finding the right spot in your garden, patio, or flower bed to display them. Beyond these simple steps, there's so much more you can do in terms of decorations, display, and even the "why" of choosing the perfect old hiking boot.

This trick, as simple as it seems, works for a few reasons. First, turning old boots into unique birdhouses, bird feeders, fairy houses, or planters is quite popular. They blend nicely into cottage gardens, charming border plantings, patio decor, or when rewilding a lawn to turn it into a wildlife haven. Second, hiking boots work particularly well, as they are designed to withstand the elements and also receive some of the toughest treatment, developing character and a patina that your average rain boot will never have. As far as equipment goes, you just need a drill and a garden trowel. Adding a sealant or outdoor paint can add to both the charm and longevity of your DIY.

As far as which plants work best, some of that depends on where you want to set up your boot planters (shade or sun, moist or dry), and how much work you want to put in (perennials versus annuals), as with any potted plant.

Making this planter is easy. You don't need to shine those old boots up, but remove grime or caked mud, and rub antiseptic wipes inside and out to remove any errant bacteria, fungus, or invasive plant seeds. Next, drill a few drainage holes either through the sole of the boot, or along the upper where it meets the sole. Drainage is crucial to avoid root rot. For added preservation, spray a coat of something like Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch UltraCover clear coat, or get decorative with weatherproof paint or a quick-dry concrete coating. 

When you're ready to set up your planters, consider where you're placing them and what you're planting. Some people leave the laces in for a decorative touch, but it's probably best to remove them as they decay quickly, and make tempting pull toys for children or pets. If you pull the tongues down, the open boots look nice with a cascade of small succulents like aloe vera, sempervivum, and burro's tail, a low-maintenance succulent that is a great addition to your garden. Impatiens, petunias, and a variety of herbs also look great emerging from a worn pair of hiking boots.

While your own well-loved hiking boots already tell a great story, many people love taking the opportunity to repurpose someone else's boots into planters. One option is to capture a moment in childhood: Rather than bronzing your kid's shoes or sticking them in a box, incorporating outgrown boots into your garden lets you revisit those early years each day. Other folks memorialize loved ones they've lost: A father's well-worn work boots, say, or a pair from your hiking partner on that once-in-a-lifetime thru hike. Placed near a custom-engraved memorial bird feeder, they make a particularly emotional tribute.