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Add a touch of vintage charm to your porch or deck with these olive bucket planters filled with ferns. Shows the simple process to assemble the planters.
I haven’t had ferns on my front porch for a few years…so when I was finally able to snag a pair of vintage olive buckets, I knew exactly where they were going to land. On the front porch, filled with ferns.
Olive buckets are basically galvanized buckets with slits all around. They have two handles and were used to harvest and wash olives. They were made to be durable and sturdy, which is why so many of them are still around today.
Olive Bucket Planters Assembly
This was a ridiculously easy thing to do. I picked up two ferns from Lowe’s back in April when I gave my front porch a spring refresh. They were actually hanging baskets so I just cut off the plastic hooks. I put an 8 inch clay pot in each bucket upside down.
Last was simply setting the ferns (in their original containers) on top of the clay pots. I very briefly considered actually planting the ferns in the buckets but talked myself out of that pretty fast. This way I can switch out the ferns for something else later in the summer…and into the fall as well.
I really liked the vintage wash tub planters that were here previously so I moved them to our deck. They were added to my vintage container herb garden and blended in beautifully.
My olive bucket planters are not a matching set. They are just about the same height but aren’t exactly the same. They were purchased online but are no longer available. I searched and found some that are reasonably priced and ready to ship. Just in case you want a pair for yourself…
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Shop my porch and olive bucket planters:
- Olive buckets on Etsy
- Doormat, mailbox, rockers, house number plaque, door hardware, and lights can be found in my Amazon Shop. {HERE}
- DIY Spring Wreath Door Basket
- My front door paint color information
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LOVE your front porch! I have two olive buckets and would love to add ferns to them. My concern is how to prevent the rust from transferring on to the concrete. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Amy
Hi Amy…it’s been a few years since I had the olive buckets on our front porch, but I don’t remember a rust problem. There will be overflow when you water. I have never been able to figure out how to avoid the marks the water makes on the concrete. The only thing I can think of to prevent any rust or marks would be to use some sort of tray under the olive buckets. I wish I could be more helpful!
Morning,
I’m interested in purchasing the olive buckets in this post, but not sure what size I need to buy that will fit ferns inside. Could you please help?
Thank you!
Hi Joy! Olive buckets are all around the same size. They range from 16 inches to 20 inches tall. Mine are about 18 inches tall. I hope this helps!
I found olive buckets at Target! Rope handles. $19.95!
Ann,
One of the nice things about olive buckets as plant holders is how well they drain. With all the rain we’ve had our potted plants really have needed good drainage. Ferns on the porch remind me of porches where I grew up. Hanging baskets filled with ferns were always on the covered front porches of the houses across the street from us.
Judith
I always like what you do with your porch Ann! I love the Olive buckets:) believe it or not, they had those had Target last week, but they were not that size:( Can’t wait to see the back!
You do such neat things with your porch decor. You make the simple look like a million bucks!!! I really love olive buckets.
Indeed the ferns with the metal, what a great combination.
Well thought not to plant them; you can switch and it is less hassle (with all the holes, the soil would splatter around making a mess).
What size (dimensions height) are the olive buckets?
Love your front porch, Ann! You certainly have a talent for making things beautiful and inviting! May I ask where you store all your seasonal decor items when they are not in use? Seems like I always have to do a lot of juggling around whenever I try to change things up for a new season. Any suggestions to make the process more manageable? Thanks so much! Always enjoy your posts! Have a great week.
The olive buckets look great with your ferns!
Your ferns are amazing! And what a great idea of the olive buckets and being able to change them up.
I loved it!
I have these buckets as well on my front porch! love them! So generous in size! Perfect! I have them on each side of my steps leading to my porch! Yours looks great with the ferns! Cindy
I LOVE the olive buckets. I didn’t know that’s what these buckets were called but leave it to you to know. I have not had much luck with ferns so I’m interested to see how yours do over the summer. Your porch is warm and welcoming and says, “come sit a spell”! Excellent post as always, Ann!!
Sue
Lovely, ferns are always so welcoming to me. fondly ~lynne~
I have a very narrow front entry, so I cannot “copy” your lovely front porch ideas. I have my olive bucket inside – in my master bedroom. I was going to use a taller plant, but now I am inspired to try a fern. The ferns look fantastic! Thanks for the idea.
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
I love all your containers that accent your door. Very welcoming Ann, Kathleen in Az
Beautiful!
My inbox is filled with advertising that mostly get deleted. But when I see a post from you, I get so excited to open it. It is like opening a window to fresh air!
So funny! I clicked on your post and what did a find? Almost a replica of my own front porch….I have 2 ferns in 2 olive buckets on eithe side of my front door…a jazzy front door mat, 2 rocking chairs with flowered pillows in bright colors and a bright orange pot of marigolds on a small table in between….it’s great to see what it looks like in a different color version!!
The buckets look great Ann, I’m getting a fondness for ferns this year. It’s my first time using them and I must say they are easy to maintain, look full from the start, and are beautiful.
Love the look. Very unusual.
I love the ferns in the olive bucket. They are really pretty. I have an olive bucket I used inside for awhile and decided to move it out on my porch and I really wish I had two. Your porch is beautiful.
Love your porch Ann; just ordered the olive bucket you featured for mine!!