Let’s Get Your Garden Rolling

Easter, to me, has always been associated with new life — and it’s not limited to religious connotations. You’ve no doubt noticed the influx of baby chicks, bunnies and ducklings adorning display windows, school projects and even monthly calendars. Maybe it’s just the spirit of the season, but it makes me want to breathe new life into my container garden as well.

One of the key points I’ve learned in my lanai gardening is to pay attention to a plant’s sun and shade needs. This includes moving the plants, if necessary, to keep them from getting too much or too little sun. Why not make the job easier and put your planter on wheels?

An easy way to achieve this is to purchase a plant stand on wheels. You can find these at your local hardware or gardening store. They come in both square and circular shapes as well as in wooden and plastic materials. Make it your own by spray-painting to match your home’s color scheme. Then, you can set your containers on top.

Another option is to place your containers onto a rolling cart or table. If you have the space, an antique wagon can do the trick while adding character to your garden.

If you’re starting fresh, you can purchase plant containers with wheels already installed. I did some shopping myself, and rolling planters were somewhat difficult to find locally, but are abundant online. The good news is, though, you can easily turn your existing containers into rollers with items that are readily available.

Take your existing (empty) container, flip it over, and make sure it has drainage holes. If not, drill some into the bottom, about 1/2-inch in diameter and at least 1-inch apart. Keep in mind where you’ll place your casters (small, freely swiveling wheels) and avoid those areas.

Then, take locking casters, which you can purchase at the local hardware store, and place them on the bottom of the container. Make sure you use enough casters to evenly distribute the weight of the container. The number of casters will vary depending on the shape and size of your container. For most average-sized containers, four casters should do the trick. Mark the caster holes, remove the casters, then drill the marks using a 1/8-inch drill bit.

Next, line the casters back up and bolt them into place. Turn the container over and roll it around to make sure it works properly. Then, seal around the bolt holes with caulk to avoid leaks. Now, it’s ready for planting.