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Gardeners and houseplant enthusiasts alike are bound to build up a stockpile of unused planters at some point. When they’re that cute, how can you resist? If you have more planters than you know what to do with, you can turn them into a bird feeder and hang it up so you can enjoy some bird watching. Take a shallow planter, fill it with birdseed, and hang it up outside — the birds will come to you in no time.
Shallow planters are ideal for this project because you won’t have to fill it too full to reach the top, and it won’t be too deep for birds to reach into. Look for containers that are only a few inches tall, such as succulent planters or small pots like the Heart Shaped Boho Hanging Plant Holder from Hajia. If the planter you want to use is a little too deep, try creating a false bottom with wood to reduce the depth and how much birdseed you have to use.
Making the bird feeder the way you want
Hanging planters are the best option for this DIY project because they already have the holes you need to hang them up. However, you can convert regular planters by drilling holes or attaching a hanging system like twine or macrame ropes; the latter will be much easier and can even be another fun DIY hobby if you want to learn macrame yourself. The material you choose needs to be sturdy enough to hold a planter full of seeds and a couple of birds. If the rope method doesn’t work for you, a decorative metal hanger will do the trick.
Any good hanging planter will have a drainage hole, but you’ll need to plug up the holes so the birdseed won’t fall out. This process is as simple as placing a planter tray in the planter. You can also glue down some fabric to cover the holes.
You can modify this project in endless ways to make it suit your needs. Lay a teacup on its side and glue it to a saucer to create a whimsical bird feeder. Opt for the kind of hanging planters that are meant to hang on fences or railings if you don’t have as much vertical space to work with. The RIOGOO Flower Pots are brightly-colored options that will add some color to your space.
