Gardens + Design

Disguises for plastic utility bins

19 Comments

For the garbage bins Toronto residents hate to love, or for those who say a rain barrel is too ugly, here’s one of our favourite snippets from the Garden Walk Buffalo preview. Paint yourself a garden.

The gardener who painted these in Buffalo’s Cottage District gave me the basic how-to. She simply used acrylic paint, like these available from Curry’s, without even using primer.

The garbage can below was painted ten years ago, without touch-ups, and is picked up by the garbage truck machinery, just like ours in Toronto.

Even better, these painted gardens don’t require weeding or watering.

Helen

Helen Battersby is a gardener, a writer, a garden speaker, and a power-walker, not always in that order!

19 comments

  2. What a terrific idea! I saw a rain barrel recently at a friend's house. Though eco friendly, it was ugly. This would turn it into a double asset!

  3. Great idea. How to beautify something so unattractive. The garbage bins that is. I happen to find rain barrels sexy 😉

    This reminds me of the artistic wraps the cities have been putting on utility boxes. Often artistic photo's or landscapes are used, but similar idea.

  5. I know what I am getting my kids to do this summer now. Good idea. thanks for sharing! ( do you think people will steal our rubbish bins because they are so cute?)

  6. Too pretty! I recently primed some rain barrels and am hoping that when I get around to painting them they hold up like this one. It is cute!

  8. I missed the painted trash cans, but caught several painted rain barrels. It was a delight to meet you both!!

  10. I agree, Cyndy, Miss Elly's garden was one of the highlights of the Cottage District. I want to steal her garden as well as her idea.

    Deb, a skilled hand with the brush would be the ticket. I might like to practice on something first to get my pattern down. Then it looks like the secret is to keep it simple: A few lines and dots to suggest flowers.

    Laura, I've noticed some wraps on postal boxes (I think), too.

    You're quite welcome, Carol. Thanks for the tips, yourself, in Buffa10.

    Rosey, I believe you've hit on an excellent plan. I have some arty kids at home this summer. Hmmmmm…

    Glad you liked it, Tina. Good luck with your painting.

    Layanee and Gail, It was wonderful to meet you both. Now all those blog and Twitter avatars have become real (nice) humans.

    Tasteful Garden, I agree. It's a great idea.

  11. Helen, Yes, the tropical butterfly weed is flowering already. It took about 7 weeks. It would probably be a self seeding annual for you in Canada.

  12. Thanks for the plant ID on my blog. It was very kind of you to help me out! Blogging is such a great resource for novices like me!

    Rosey

  13. I'm glad to have the story behind the painted rain barrel and garbage bin. I noticed them and was charmed by this "finishing touch."

  16. I am definitely going to paint our garbage bin. Though–ours are on a commonly accessed alley. I wonder if someone would take it?

    This technique is used on many of our corner trash barrels as well.

    Helen thanks so much for visiting us. I hope more Torontonians will continue to visit and I would be glad to organize some Buffalo trips to TO gardens!

  17. I am definitely going to paint our garbage bin. Though–ours are on a commonly accessed alley. I wonder if someone would take it?

    This technique is used on many of our corner trash barrels as well.

    Helen thanks so much for visiting us. I hope more Torontonians will continue to visit and I would be glad to organize some Buffalo trips to TO gardens!

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