How to Make a Plant Tray from an Old Window

Today, we’re sharing how to make a plant tray from an old window! This DIY plant tray is super easy to create and comes in handy while weeding the garden beds. I know it’s something we’ll continue to use into the fall and winter seasons because it’s so convenient and I hope it’s something you guys will want to create and use too!

One of our biggest goals of the summer was to plant a memory garden for our sweet Talladega who passed away last year. She was the light of our lives and we miss her terribly every day.

Even at 17 and struggling with canine dementia it was not uncommon to find Tally standing by the door throughout the day wanting to go outside. She couldn’t really play anymore but she would lift her sweet face to the sun and just take it all in.

I’ll be honest with you guys, it was difficult to enjoy our back-patio area for most of last year. Every time we went out there it was a constant reminder of how much we missed her, so we rarely used the space. That being said, with the one-year anniversary of Tally’s passing approach this June, we decided to celebrate her life and create a memory garden in her honor.

Without a doubt it has been one of the best decisions we’ve made all year.

I asked my dad to build a container garden out of an old bench we had out in the garage. We’re waiting on some live moss to carpet the top of the bench which is going to be fun. We also enlisted my sweet niece and nephew to help us pick out flowers and plants as we all worked to till the overgrown soil. They literally chose every color of the rainbow they could find!

It took us a good part of the afternoon to pull the memory garden together and I would be lying if I didn’t say I started sobbing the minute we put the last plant in. It felt like the biggest gift to have those sweet littles and my family help to create something so pretty just to help make my grief journey easier.

I can honestly say, we’ve enjoyed being out in the memory garden nearly every day. Given it rains so much during the summers, I’ve had to stay on top of weeding. I’m shocked at how much they grow from week to week!

We didn’t want to have to drag the big wheelbarrow out each time we decided to weed, so we hatched a plan that would make it easier to haul the weeds to the burn pile at the same time. Enter the plant tray we made from an old window. Let me show you how you can make a plant tray too…

PLANT TRAY SUPPLIES:

Window (without the window panes)

Galvanized Hardware Cloth Roll

Wire Cutters

Gloves

Staple Gun

Staples

Hardware Handles

Measuring Tape

Screwdriver or Cordless Drill (if needed)

PLANT TRAY STEPS:

Step 1 – Turn one side of the window over to the back to measure how much hardware cloth you’ll need to cut.

Step 2 – Using caution and care, as hardware cloth and wire cutters will be sharp, cut the desired length of hardware cloth.

Step 3 – Again using caution and care, as hardware cloth edges will be sharp, affix the hardware cloth to the window using a staple gun and staples. Make sure the hardware cloth is completely secure to the window.

You’ll also need to tuck or clip off any prongs on the hardware cloth edge, so you don’t get stuck or pinched. You might even choose to put a piece of sturdy cloth or a piece of wood over the clipped edge of your plant tray and to help reinforce it.

Step 4 – Flip the plant tray over to the front and use a measuring tape to measure where the hardware handles will go.

We picked these up on sale at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 and used a drill to place them in the middle of each side of the tray.

Step 5 – You’re good to go – start weeding!

We used a large window, so we only have to make one or two trips to the burn pile but it’s really convenient not to have to pull the wheelbarrow out each time we decide to weed.

I’m already thinking about how pretty it’s going to be to stage this plant tray with pumpkins for fall!

Remember the hardware cloth will rust if it’s left out in the elements so make sure you put your plant tray back in the garage or your potting shed when you’re finished using it. I hope this simple idea helps!

Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Many blessings,

CoCo