Drainage holes are important for growing plants as they stop water stagnating at the bottom of the barrel. If water pools at the bottom of a pot with no escape it can cause the plant’s roots to rot. It can also become a playground for bacteria which can transmit disease to the plant via the roots. Plastic barrels tend to be cheaper than wooden ones, but naturally they don’t have the history or charm of being a real storage barrel. They are, however, very durable and won’t rot. Also, it’s possible to find plastic half barrel planters made from recycled plastic, which is something to look out for. Planter Size The oak wood is meticulously cut with a traditional circular saw, preserving the barrel’s original shape and texture. This attention to detail ensures the planter retains its unique charm and authenticity. It’s made from solid oak, resulting in a fully rustic appearance, with metal bands around the wooden slats to hold it all together. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned.

The Real Whisky Solid Oak Half Barrel Planter itself becomes a captivating feature in your garden or patio. Its genuine whisky barrel origin and weathered appearance add a unique touch of history and character to your outdoor space. Made from recycled materials, the Strata Sankey Oakwood Barrel Planter is a rustic-looking, low-maintenance option that’s also environmentally friendly. It’s manufactured by a relatively small UK company based in Nottinghamshire. These barrels are watertight and can be used as small ponds and water features, or they can be used as planters. Much like with wooden barrels, if using as a planter you will likely need to drill holes in the base for drainage – they don’t tend to come pre-drilled. Larger barrels, with a diameter of approximately 70 cm, are perfect for shrubs and small trees. Smaller barrels, with a diameter of approximately 50 cm, can be used for herb gardens and flower beds.Furthermore, it’s watertight, and can be used as a pond or water feature as well as a planter. If the wood is too dry, the barrel will not be watertight until it has expanded – this can be the case when it first arrives. To avoid buying new plastic products, I recommend choosing a plastic barrel made from recycled materials . These offer a good compromise between respecting the environment and maintaining the practical qualities of plastic.

Firstly, it’s a lot heavier than a plastic barrel planter, weighing approximately 25 kg. It also doesn’t seem to have been treated with any specific protection against the outdoors, meaning that a bit more maintenance is required as well. By not having holes already in place, there is also the option of using this planter as a small water feature. It has a 22 L capacity and the plastic is completely watertight making for an inexpensive solution to get an ornamental pond in the garden. Most wooden barrels are watertight, although they may not be instantly watertight on arrival. If the wood is very dry (as is often the case when the barrel planter arrives), it will have shrunk and there will be gaps for water to leak through. After a couple of weeks of holding water, the wood should expand and seal any gaps. This is worth remembering if you’re aiming to use the half barrel planter as a mini pond or water feature. If you want an authentically rustic barrel planter, with history and charm, you may be swayed towards a wooden option.

Hexagonal Wood Planter

The ‘copper’ option uses warmer tones, fitting in with oranges and browns in the garden, whilst the ‘pewter’ model works well with cooler tones like stonework and gravel. Of course, neither planter is actually made from genuine metal, and is instead constructed from realistically-moulded plastic. Because of this, it’s one of the best half barrel planters if you’re looking for something eco-friendly and versatile. Naturally, it’s also a great option for planting bulbs, flowers and shrubs – though you’ll need to make drainage holes.