How can I turn my old mailbox into a flower pot?

I have replaced my old mailbox and would like some ideas on how I can display it as a planter or flower pot. i was thinking I could paint it and put our last name on it but how would I make flowers grow in it?

How can I turn my old mailbox into a flower pot?
Abrakadabra usually works.....If not, stand on end, fill with dirt, plant flowers in top pointing up....Nuf Said
Reply:If'n your memory is not the best, set the mailbox up it the garden with a pad of paper and a couple pencils inside



Also a good spot to set your cordless/cell phone
Reply:Sure! Make sure there are drainage holes and choose plants that trail or spill out like verbena, scaevola, or even ivy for that matter. You'll have to commit to watering by hand as the design would prevent rain from soaking in. You'll only be planting the opening, don't worry with the back of it. You may want to plant a vine like clematis to grow up and cover the top. Should look great.
Reply:i've actually done this! punch a hole in the bottom (i punched 4). Put enough gravel in the bottom so your plant doesn't get water-logged. I used regular potting soil with fertilizer in it already. Don't fill your mailbox up to the top though with the potting soil, you need to leave room for your plant! Kind of 'eyeball' where you would like your plant to start from. Then, put your plant in and start adding potting soil. Tamp it around the roots gently. Then water it well. The soil will sink somewhat, but don't panic. If the plant seems too deep inside, pull it up gently and refill with more potting soil. It should probably be a small plant like a petunia or lobelia, in a 2" - 4" pot you can get at the nursery, or put some seeds in! Try to keep your little plant evenly moist, not soaking wet. Petunias can get 'leggy' so you have to pinch them off after they have flowered. Anyway, i put in trailing lobelia, and it looked great! Good luck!
Reply:Yoiu could go to the michigan bulb website www.michiganbulb.com and type in the keyword "mailbox garden".They sell a collection of coneflowers,lavender and clematis with a diagram of how to plant to get the best look around a mailbox, lamppost ,or things like that. or you could plant wave petunias in it.They dont need alot of sun and would climb out the front
Reply:1. If your mailbox is metal, I would use tin snips to cut an oval out of the top of the mailbox.



2. Then using a set of wide pliers, bend the edges under into the mailbox and press to create a smooth and not dangerous edge. You may need to make some cuts with your tin snips to manage bending at the curves.



3.Turn the mailbox upside down and punch several holes in the bottom with an awl and hammer, or a Phillips head screwdriver and a hammer. These holes will let the excess water drain out. Cover the bottom of the mailbox with some old window screen to prevent the soil (or any ambitious roots) from leaking out.



4. Fill the mailbox with a high quality potting soil that has time-release fertilizer in it. You can just open the door and pour it in, providing that you are covering the top opening with your hand. Close the door. You can seal it with caulk if the door doesn't stay closed well. Use a box cutter to remove the seal for next year's planting.



5. Add your plants in from the top oval you cut out in step 1. Surround with more soil, press firmly all around the new plants, and give them a good drink (until water runs out the bottom)



Good Luck!

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