Repurpose An Old Washing Machine To Grow A Bounty Of Veggies In The Backyard

Got an old washing machine taking up space in your home? Big, bulky appliances like washers can be a real nuisance. You don't know where to put them or what to do with them. If you enjoy repurposing household items, you may see potential in upcycling a washing machine, but how?

One idea is to turn your old washing machine into a vegetable planter in the backyard. There are several tutorials online on how to remove the washer drum to turn it into a planter, but the washing machine's design itself offers a lot of potential positives as it provides a fully enclosed, sizable drum with built-in drainage, perfect for easy-to-grow container vegetables like potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, cabbage, carrots, and more. Using a washing machine as a planter yields many of the same benefits as container gardens, including protecting plants from pests and soil-borne diseases. Plus, you have the option to close the lid on your washer planter at night for added protection from animals.

While upcycling a washing machine in your garden is an interesting idea, there are some things to consider before planting your potatoes where you used to launder your linens. One is lingering chemical residue. If you're going to turn your washer into a planter, be sure to clean it thoroughly to make sure your plants won't be tainted by leftover bleach or detergent deposits.

Heavy metals leaching into the soil is also a concern. While washing machines are often made with galvanized or otherwise coated metals to make them resistant to corrosion and rust, they aren't designed to be outdoors in direct sunlight, nor are they intended to house and grow food. So, using your washing machine as a vegetable planter should be done with caution. You might consider having the soil periodically tested for heavy metals to ensure your washing machine veggies are safe to eat.

Even if you decide against using your washing machine as a vegetable planter, there are still several ways to utilize it in your backyard garden. Upcycle this unsightly household item into a beautiful planter by growing vine plants down the sides with a flower bed in the middle of the drum opening. Or, use it as a compost bin, rain barrel, or tool storage bin. If you determine your old washer isn't a good fit for your backyard garden, you can still recycle it by taking it to a qualified appliance recycler. They will be able to give the steel, aluminum, copper, and many of the mechanical parts a new life.