Honeysuckle Heaven Studio By: Angelia Hayes
There’s something magical about taking an old, beat‑up object and turning it into a planter. Maybe it’s the Southern in me, maybe it’s the stubborn streak, but if it can hold dirt, I’m gonna grow something in it.
But here’s the truth nobody tells you: not everything drains worth a flip. Some containers behave like champs… and some hold water like they’re trying to drown your plants on purpose.
These are my favorites — the ones that work, the ones that surprise me, and the ones that need a little “encouragement” from my drill.
1. Old Boots (Especially the Ugly Ones)
Boots are PERFECT planters. They already have:
- thick sides
- a deep cavity
- a built‑in rustic vibe
And best of all? Most of them already drain right through the sole.
But if they don’t? Baby, that’s what drills are for.
I’ve drilled more holes in old boots than I can count. Nothing feels better than punching a few clean holes in the bottom and saying, “There. NOW you’re a planter.”
2. Teapots, Coffee Pots, and Anything Metal That’s Seen Some Things
Drainage? NO. Unless, of course, it’s rusted out like some old car pulled out of a creek that’s been sitting there since the 40s.
If it hasn’t rusted through yet?
Well… that’s when the fun starts.
Because nothing — and I mean NOTHING — makes me happier than grabbing my cheap little pink drill and popping holes in the bottom like I’m giving it a new purpose in life.
Honestly, every woman needs a pink drill. It should be on the Amazon list right next to the plant labels.
3. Metal Buckets
These are the workhorses of the upcycled world.
Pros:
- They look adorable
- They hold a ton of soil
- They last forever
Cons:
- They rust
- They don’t drain unless you MAKE them drain
So again… DRILL TIME.
If my neighbors hear me drilling outside, they don’t even ask anymore. They just assume I’m turning something into a planter.
4. Hooker Heels (Yes, the Red Ones)
Listen. If I’m gonna grow something, I’m gonna have fun doing it.
Those red hooker heels? They’re about to become the sassiest planters on the porch.
Do they drain? Absolutely not. They weren’t designed for gardening — they were designed for bad decisions and good stories.
But once I drill a couple of holes in the arch and heel? Baby, they’re PERFECT.
I cannot WAIT to drill those things. It’s gonna be therapeutic.
5. Random Junk That Shouldn’t Work but Does
I’ve planted in:
- colanders
- toolboxes
- enamel mugs
- old lunchboxes
- a chamber pot (don’t judge me)
Some drain beautifully. Some need a drill. Some need Jesus.
But they all end up cute.
How to Know If Something Will Drain Right
Here’s the porch‑simple rule:
If water can’t escape, your plant can’t breathe.
So check the bottom. If it’s solid? Grab the drill. If it’s already got holes? You’re golden.
A Few Handy Amazon Helpers
Pretty‑in‑Pink Garden Drills (My Two Favorites for Real‑Life Bodies)
⭐ Why I Picked This One
I like this one especially for folks with Ankylosing Spondylitis because the battery is built right into the handle. That means no big, heavy battery pack hanging off the back and throwing your balance off. It’s lighter, easier to hold, and doesn’t strain your shoulders or spine as much — which is a big deal on flare days.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Option 2: My Dewalt — The One I Actually Use
This one’s my personal pick, mostly because I can steal it from my HUZZZZBEN. Kerry inherited a whole collection of Dewalt tools when my brother passed, and I don’t mind helping myself to them one bit. Now, his batteries are bigger than the ones that come in this kit — but that’s because he’s already worn the originals slap out. Even with my AS, I can handle the weight for small projects. And if it turns into a bigger job? Well… my Dewalt comes with a very special attachment: KERRRRRYYYYY. If I need more than a couple holes drilled, I just holler and here he comes.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐My Garden Auger Bit (The One That Never Saw Dirt Thanks to Noisey)
I actually bought a little auger bit last year with every intention of using it to fluff up my pots and raised beds — not this Tennessee clay that could stop a tractor. But then Noisey happened. That tiny fur‑covered national kickboxing champion took me down so hard my whole summer garden plan evaporated. So this poor auger never even got a chance to spin. This year though? Oh baby, it’s getting its moment. And if it hits something stubborn, well… that’s what the Kerry Attachment is for.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐Tools I Don’t Mess Around With: Fiskars, Garden Weasel, and the Ones That Never Fail You
There are a lot of things in gardening I’ll compromise on, but hand tools ain’t one of them. When you’re digging into something tough and suddenly the handle snaps, the blade bends, and you find yourself collapsed in your garden bed like a wounded possum, you learn real quick which brands are worth your time. Or worse — you’re sitting on your hinney whining because you broke more than a nail. No ma’am. Not today.
I’ve used Fiskars for years and years — greenhouse years, garden years, sewing‑room years — did I say years? They’re steady, dependable, and I have never had one break, bend, or betray me. Same with my old Garden Weasel. That thing is practically an antique. I’m not saying it’s from the early 1900s, but my mama was born in 1921 and I’m pretty sure she had it before I was even old enough to spell “dirt.” It’s older than old, looks like it’s been through a war, and it’s still stout as ever.
When I say these brands don’t play, I mean it. If you want tools that won’t leave you face‑down in your petunias, these are the ones you reach for.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Soil Scoop
If you’ve ever tried to fill a pot with regular garden trowels and ended up flinging dirt everywhere except the pot, this little soil scoop is your new best friend. It’s deep, it’s curved, and it holds a whole lot more soil than those flat little shovels that pretend they’re helpful.
Why I love it:
- Perfect for container gardening
- Scoops soil without spilling half of it on your porch
- Great for mixing amendments right in the pot
- Lightweight and easy on achy hands
- Makes repotting feel like a tidy little chore instead of a dirt tornado
If you’re growin’ on a porch, patio, or in raised beds, this thing saves time, saves mess, and saves your back from bending over twice as long. It’s one of those tools you don’t realize you needed until you use it once… then you wonder how you ever gardened without it.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Color‑Coded Plastic Plant Labels
If you start a lot of seeds or keep several trays going at once, these colorful plant labels are a lifesaver. They’re bright, sturdy, and big enough to write on without squinting — but honestly, half the time you don’t even need to write anything at all. The colors do the work for you.
Why I love them:
- Perfect for seed starting and big flats
- Easy to see from across the porch
- Color‑coding makes organizing a breeze
- Big writing surface for achy eyes
- Durable enough to reuse season after season
I use these every spring when I’m starting my sets. Red is tomatoes, green is cucumbers, yellow is marigolds — and I can glance at a whole tray and know exactly what’s what without reading a single word. When I do label them, the marker shows up bold and clear. These little tags make my life so much easier, especially when I’ve got a dozen things sprouting at once.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Bamboo Plant Labels – 9 Cute Designs
I love this bamboo set because you get nine different designs and ten of each, which means your garden gets a little personality boost while still being practical. These aren’t just labels — they’re tiny decorations that make your pots and beds look downright adorable.
And let’s be honest… there’s always that one plant that starts growing and you stare at it thinking, “Now what on earth did I put in that pot?” Yep. Me too. Every year.
These labels fix that. They’re cute, they’re sturdy, and they make it easy to keep track of what you planted without your garden looking like a science experiment. Perfect for herbs, porch pots, raised beds, or anywhere you want a little charm with your organization.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Metal Butterfly‑Style Plant Labels – Weatherproof & Rust‑Resistant
These metal labels are just beautiful. I’m a big fan of butterflies, and this design reminds me so much of the ones that flutter around my porch in the summer. I picked this color because it looks more natural than some of the brighter options — it blends right into a real garden instead of sticking out like a neon sign.
They’re waterproof, rust‑resistant, and built to last. Now remember — rust‑proof doesn’t mean “will never rust in the history of the universe,” it just means they’re a whole lot tougher than the cheap ones. Honestly, they’ll probably outlive half the plants I put them next to.
If you want something pretty, durable, and garden‑friendly, these are the labels that make your beds look polished without losing that natural charm.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ 4‑Pack Metal Plant Cages
I like these because they’re simple, sturdy, and they actually do what they’re supposed to do — hold your plants up without a fight. I picked the 4‑count set because it’s exactly the kind of thing I use in my own garden, and honestly, I’ll probably order a set myself unless Kerry gets happy with his welder again.
The other day he walked into the house carrying one of my 20‑plus‑year‑old cages, and the lights dimmed — which meant he was out there welding those old suckers back together. Now, if you don’t have a stash of rusty antique cages and a husband who loves his welder so much he spent the whole winter welding a lawnmower deck he had no intention of ever using… then these are the perfect cages for you.
They’re lightweight, easy to use, and great for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or anything that needs a little help standing tall. Pop them in a pot or raised bed and let them do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Herb Snips (a.k.a. “Erb Snips”)
I swear, every time I read the words herb snips, my brain immediately turns it into erb snips and I laugh like a fool. But giggles aside, these little snips are one of the handiest tools you can keep in your garden basket.
They’re perfect for trimming herbs, deadheading flowers, snipping off tomato suckers, or cutting those tiny stems that regular scissors just bully instead of cutting. They’re lightweight, sharp, and easy on achy hands — which is exactly what I need when I’m out there trying to harvest basil without taking half the plant with me.
If you grow herbs on your porch, in pots, or in raised beds, these snips make you feel like you actually know what you’re doing. And they’re small enough to tuck in your pocket… unless you’re like me and forget they’re there until you sit down and poke yourself.
Either way, they’re worth it.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Pretty Garden Gloves (4‑Pack)
Every year I buy four pairs of these pretty little gloves — always the cheap ones — and I never, ever get a chance to wear them out. I’m not sure where they go. I’m not convinced the secret river otter hasn’t been living with us longer than we thought, because these gloves just disappear. Maybe he likes bright colors for his home décor. Maybe the barn cats have a secret meeting room that simply must be decorated with dirty things. I don’t know. All I know is I get to wear each pair exactly once before they vanish into the void.
But while I do have them, they’re perfect. Cute patterns, not too bulky, and thin enough that you can actually feel what you’re doing — which is important when you’re trying to tuck a root ball into a pot without ripping half the plant off.
Now, when I’m moving all my junk around trying to find the perfect treasure for that one plant, I absolutely steal Kerry’s welding gloves or one of his super‑duper man gloves so I don’t slice myself open. But for everyday gardening, these pretty little gloves are my go‑to… at least until the otter or the cats claim them.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
⭐ Nitrile Gloves (My Everyday Must‑Have)
Because I’m diabetic and my fingers look like pin cushions, I wear these all the time. And I mean all the time. Even if I’m just stepping outside to do a little weeding, watering, fertilizing — you name it — I’ve got these on. Half the time you can see the blue sticking out from under my cloth gloves like I’m trying to start a fashion trend.
Taking a biologic means I’m susceptible to any little germ that wanders within a hundred miles of me, so I over‑protect myself on purpose. These gloves are one of the ways I make myself feel safe. They’re strong, they don’t rip when you look at them wrong, and they keep dirt, sap, fertilizer, and mystery goo off my hands and out of my bloodstream.
They’re comfortable enough to wear for hours, thin enough that I can still feel what I’m doing, and tough enough to handle everything from potting soil to pruning. Honestly, these are my real go‑to garden gloves — the pretty ones are just for show. These are the ones that actually keep me healthy.
⭐ If you want one for yourself, you can grab it on Amazon through this link.
Just so y’all know: I’m an Amazon Associate, which means I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you a penny more — it just helps support my porch, my projects, and all the adaptive gardening goodies I share along the way.