I Made This: Switch Plate Planter
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Note: Any configuration of covers can work. Make a few of them and you can have a mod decorative statement that grows.
Posted by ReadyMade
Photography by Scott Little
“When a friend of mine convinced me to help her paint the interiors of her rental units, I noticed she was tossing all of the old electrical outlet and switch plate covers. As a joke, I constructed a planter with seedlings out of the discarded covers and gave it to her as a gift. She actually loved it—the size is perfect for placing on a kitchen counter.” Kelly D. Lawrence, Anchorage, Alaska
Web Exclusive: To check out a behind-the-scenes video, click here.
Skill Level
Easy
Active Time
Half a day
Cost
$
- http://www.better.tv/videos/m/32840552/light-switch-planters.htm#q=light+switch
- 6 switch plate and outlet covers (use single and solid for sides and bottoms to reduce soil spillage)
- Handful of small stones or bark
- Mesh vegetable bag (like the kind that you buy oranges or onions in)
- Spoon
- Dense soil
- Herb or lettuce seeds
Materials
- Epoxy or waterproof glue
- Newspaper
- Plastic primer spray
- Spray paint
Tools
Gather all materials. Wash switch plate covers and remove any old paint or residue. Let dry.
Place the single switch plate cover face down. This will be the bottom piece and the hole will allow for drainage. Run a bead of the epoxy along the 2 short edges (these will be the ends) and attach each of the single outlet covers upright. Support with old books or scrap wood and let dry.
Next, attach the two double switch plate covers by gluing them upright to the base plate and the two ends. Support and let dry.
Place your structure, along with the top outlet cover, on newspaper. Open your windows or go outside and consider wearing old work clothes. Apply a coat of spray primer to the outside of the planter only. Allow to dry completely, and then apply spray paint to the outside only. You may need two coats to cover. If so, be sure to let dry between each coat.
Place small stones or bark pieces along the bottom for drainage. Line the structure with the mesh vegetable bag salvaged from your last produce purchase, then spoon in the soil (pressing it down as you go). The bag will help the soil stay put, and it’s permeable enough that the seedlings will be able to penetrate the mesh.
Plant the seeds in the openings. Dampen the soil, place the final cover on top, and place in a sunny location. Keep the soil moist as your seeds sprout. Harvest as needed.
