Repurposed Firepit - Make a Planter!

Repurposing a Firepit as a Plant Container

Here's a repurposing idea for you - plant flowers in an old firepit.
 
I have had this firepit for about 13 years now. There is nothing I love more than an outdoor fire on summer evenings. But a few years ago, my son the firefighter said, "No fires this year, Mom. It's not worth it." 

Even here in Washington, summers can be very hot! So I took his advice. I don't want a spark to go up and catch a neighbor's tree on fire. Yikes!! That would be very bad. Definitely don't need that in my life.

It got me thinking about what to do with my cute little fire pit. Sell it? Well no, I really do love it and I might be able to use it again someday.

Then a light bulb went off in my head. Until the day I can use it again, why not make it a planter? So that's what I did, and it turned out pretty cute!

Since the firepit didn't have holes in the bottom, I filled it about 1/4 of the way up with rocks to provide drainage for the plants. If you want to drill holes in the bottom, you could do that and place a few rocks over the holes to keep the soil from washing out when you water the plants.

Then I added outdoor potting mix, planted a hosta in the middle and bedding plants around it. I love this new addition to the patio. Eventually the lobelia grew enough to start hanging over the sides.

This idea also got me to thinking. I'll bet you could find firepits dirt-cheap at garage sales and online sites that sell used items. Maybe you have one sitting in your garage that you never use.

An instant planter, and a pretty one at that!! 

Happy gardening, everyone.

~ Dana

 

How to Plant in a Firepit

Supplies
a free-standing patio-sized firepit
small rocks
outdoor potting mix
bedding plants

Instructions
1. If your firepit doesn't have holes in the bottom, fill it about 1/4-full with rocks for drainage.

2. If the firepit has holes in the bottom, place a few rocks over the holes to keep the soil from washing out when watered.

3. Add outdoor potting mix to the firepit.

4. Plant some pretty bedding plants such as hosta, marigolds, lobelia, etc. Water well, but not too much.

Printable Gardening Page


copyright 2025, Dana Meier, My Olde Country Home

Dana Meier is a caterer, cookbook author, online content creator and purveyor of historic crafts in Washington state. Her first cookbook was published in 2023.

My Olde Country Home: Olde Fashioned Christmas Desserts

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