Last updated on June 7th, 2021
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If you want something with a little more “oomph” for your container flower displays, we think you should definitely consider a wheelbarrow planter. We review wooden wheelbarrow planters which all look quite rustic and metal wheelbarrow planters that offer a more modern shape and style. After listing each model’s pros and cons, we discuss their features along with our recommendation. Our Buyer’s Guide points out the very few things to consider in your purchase decision.
Make no mistake, all these planters are wheelbarrow shaped but not wheelbarrow-sized. In fact, they are not very large in size but they are perfect for displaying a closely packed mass of flowers, herbs or greenery, but don’t expect a display the size of, well, a garden wheelbarrow.
Best Picks
Curved Style Wood Planter
Straight Style
Wheelbarrow planters made of solid wood tend to be of one standard overall size – 73cm (length), 32cm (width) and 28 cm (height) and have a rustic appearance. The main differences between them all are the type of wood used to build them and the style of the top side rims of the planter part – curved with a slightly scalloped edge or straight, giving an angular appearance to the planter.
Depending on your design preference, either of these wooden wheelbarrow planters suit a more natural garden landscape or plant selection.
Best Pick – Large Planter
Best Pick – Metal
Best Wheelbarrow Planters Reviews
Wooden Planters
1. My Garden Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter – Rustic Finish
Best Pick – Curved Style
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The solid fir wood (unspecified) construction of the My Garden Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter – Rustic Finish shows its rustic-ness in the beautiful grain of the wood that travels horizontally around the planter’s structure. Even the single wheel at the front and the handles at the rear continue this grain pattern. The curved top of an otherwise geometric shape adds some visual movement to the design.
This My Garden planter is the standard size of most wheelbarrow planters – 73cm long and 31cm wide – and has been finished to be weatherproof. The wheel has a traditional barrow design and can rotate, allowing you to move the planter around your garden depending on the sunlight requirements of the plants you put in it.
Pros
- Made of solid fir wood (unspecified) with regular grain that gives a rustic appearance to the planter.
- The top edges of the barrow have a scalloped design to soften the otherwise geometric shape.
- The handles are notched for ease of holding.
- Dimensions: 73cm (length); 31cm (wide) and 28cm (height).
Cons
Our recommendation
The My Garden Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter – Rustic Finish is a solid wheelbarrow planter of standard size that adds a bit of design flair to its rustic appearance with a curvy top.
2. Groundlevel Farmyard Wooden Wheel Barrow Planter/Flower Pot – Vintage White Wood
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The Groundlevel Farmyard Wooden Wheel Barrow Planter/Flower Pot has one visual feature that sets it apart from the other wooden wheelbarrow planters that we review. It’s painted white. And that one change makes a huge difference in making it visible in your garden and serves as a higher contrast to your flowers and other plants.
The paint seems to be semi-opaque so you can see some of the wood grain through it.
Other than this one change, the wheelbarrow planter looks exactly the same as the SIAM EXPRESS Wooden Wheelbarrow Traditional Planter we mention in this Curved Style section. In fact, Groundlevel, the seller, offers their own unpainted version too. The wood used in the planter isn’t specified but this container is the standard wheelbarrow size.
Pros
- Solid wood (type unspecified) planter that’s painted white with some transparency.
- Curved style with wavy top side rims and angular elsewhere.
- Working single wheel at the front.
- Dimensions: 73cm (length); 31cm (wide) and 28cm (height).
Cons
- Flimsy structure.
Our recommendation
The Groundlevel Farmyard Wooden Wheel Barrow Planter/Flower Pot gives you the same partly organic style as the other curvy wheelbarrow planters but in a fresh white colour. This makes it stand out more in your garden landscape and draws attention to the bright flowers and other plants nestling in it.
Alternatives for curved styles
Most wheelbarrow planters with a curved style have very similar features. Here are some others that we reviewed, with information as to the unique features that they offer – all the rest is the same as in our Best Pick above.
The SIAM EXPRESS Wooden Wheelbarrow Traditional Planter is made of an unspecified wood but is sanded smooth with a uniform natural brown colour for a less rustic look.
The Garden mile Woodland Wheelbarrow Planter Garden is made of pinewood and comes with a plastic liner. It looks the most rustic out of the curved style planters in this review.
3. Mason & Jones Of Great Britain Outdoor Garden Burntwood Wheelbarrow Planter
Best Pick – Straight Style
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This Mason & Jones Of Great Britain Outdoor Garden Burntwood Wheelbarrow Planter is all angles. The front and back of the barrow are slanted and the top is straight. But there is a slight curve cut into the handle to make it more comfortable for you to push the planter to the best location for it – the single wheel at the front does turn. This is a “no-nonsense” style.
The planter is made of unspecified wood but described as “Burntwood”. This process imparts a blackened appearance to it which gives it a weathered rustic look as well as making it waterproof. Online reviewers remark that the blackened wood does rub off, so either wear gloves when you assemble the unit or seal the wood with wood preservative.
This planter is the standard size so you can mix and match it with other styles for some design variety. It comes with a sheet of plastic lining to put into the barrow to keep water from the plants off the wooden structure.
Pros
- Constructed from solid wood (unspecified type) that’s gone through a burning process.
- The angular design gives a work-like look to the planter.
- The single wheel (at the front) turns so you can move the planter around.
- Included plastic liner to put under your potting soil.
- Dimensions: 73cm (length); 32cm (wide) and 28cm (height).
- Planter: 43cm (length); 32cm (width) and 18cm (depth).
Cons
- Blackened wood rubs off.
Our recommendation
The Mason & Jones Of Great Britain Outdoor Garden Burntwood Wheelbarrow Planter has a blackened, aged appearance that contrasts nicely with any flowers or greenery that you plant in it.
Alternatives for straight styles
Other companies offer what seems to be exactly the same wheelbarrow planter as our Best Pick – Straight Style at various price points. Prices do change, so check around for availability and cost.
The Beautiful Burntwood Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter, the Caprican Burnt Wood Wheel Barrow Garden Planter and the eShop4U Burntwood Wooden Wheelbarrow all have the same photo and description.
4. Smart Garden Extra Large Woodland Wheelbarrow Planter
Best Pick – Extra Large
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The Smart Garden Extra Large Woodland Wheelbarrow Planter is definitely larger than the other wooden planters in this review, at 98cm long and 60cm wide and high. It’s made from pine (a softwood) that has been aged to give this unit an organic, rustic appearance that is enhanced by the curved top of the barrow and the handles. The steel-rimmed wheel works, allowing you to wheel this planter to its best position in your garden.
Online reviewers recommend treating the wood with a preservative before the first time you use this planter. Using the included plastic sheet to line the planter container also helps to lengthen the life of the wood.
Pros
- Constructed from solid robust pine and slightly burned for a rustic look.
- The topside edges of the wheelbarrow have a curved design as do the bottom edges of the handles.
- The single wheel in front of the barrow has a metal rim and the wheel turns.
- Comes with a plastic liner for the planter section.
- Dimensions: 98cm (length); 60cm (width) and 60cm (height).
Cons
- Pre-drilled holes missing or not lined up correctly.
Our recommendation
The Extra Large Woodland Wheelbarrow Planter is a great choice if you like to have your container plants – flowers or even vegetables- in large masses.
Metal Planters
5. Roots & Shoots Ornate Bronze Effect Wheelbarrow Planter
Best Metal Planter
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This Roots & Shoots Ornate Bronze Effect Wheelbarrow Planter adds an elegant touch to any garden with its metal construction and bronze colour finish. The filigree pattern of the bowl is open with a grid base and so it’s best to put your flowers and other plants in a pot before putting them in this planter.
The wheels have attractive scroll patterns but they are just for show – they don’t move. You must carry this planter to its final place in your garden. But don’t worry, it’s not heavy. Two legs attached to the handles enable the planter to stand up. Some online reviewers , however, state that the legs are flimsy and have to be reinforced somehow or tapped firmly down into the ground.
Be aware that the planting part of this unit is only 20cm in diameter – that’s small. Measure this out on a piece of paper to really visualise it and plan your flowers, plants or herbs accordingly. This planter is weatherproof and rustproof and can be left out all year round.
Pros
- Constructed of brass in a leaf filigree pattern with ornate wheels with a scroll design on either side.
- A glossy bronze–coloured finish adds elegance to the planter.
- The base of the planter is matching metal in a large grid.
- Weatherproof and rust-proof.
- Two wheels at the front for show only; they don’t turn.
- Has two legs so that it stands up.
- Dimensions: 45cm (length) 24cm (width) and 19cm (height). Planter is 20cm in diameter.
Cons
- Legs are flimsy.
- Need to have plants in a pot.
Our recommendation
The Roots & Shoots Ornate Bronze Effect Wheelbarrow Planter is an elegant addition to any garden and is a great size for planting a single species of plant or herb.
6. Thompson and Morgan Attractive Cream Metal Wheelbarrow Planter
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This Thompson and Morgan planter is constructed of (unspecified) metal and painted in an elegant cream colour. Be careful about this unknown metal rusting through the paint. The gracefulness of this planter continues into the decorative scrolled lines around the round planting bowl and in the curved handles.
The pre-drilled holes in the bottom of the planting bowl prevent your plants becoming waterlogged and mouldy as they sit in undrained water. Unfortunately, we couldn’t track down how large this planter is, but we suspect that it’s comparable to the other metal planters we review.
Pros
- Cream painted (unknown) metal wheelbarrow planter in an elegant design.
- Round planting bowl with decorative scrolls and curved handles.
- Bowl has pre-drilled planting holes.
Cons
- Unknown dimensions.
Our recommendation
The Attractive Cream Metal Wheelbarrow Planter provides a stylish alternative to the more rustic wood wheelbarrow planters that are widely available.
7. WDSZXH Oxidized Finish Metal Decorative Country Farmhouse Wheelbarrow Planter
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No products found.The very rustic look of the WDSZXH Oxidized Finish Metal wheelbarrow planter stands in sharp contrast to the elegance of the Thompson and Morgan planter reviewed above. This metal barrow (of unknown type) has a blackened rust finish that makes it appear well-worn and weathered. And as if it’s been out in all weathers for many years. If it does rust, you won’t really notice the change.
The handles, single front wheel and stands are glossy black which contrasts well with the rest of the barrow. The unusual shape of the planter part lets you arrange your plants in a long arrangement rather than just bunching them up into a clump.
Be aware – this has a small planter bowl with room only for a few plants which are best kept in pots on it. Think about using it for small pots of herbs on your patio table or wall; or perhaps with growing flowers as a living centrepiece on your outdoor coffee table.
Pros
- Metal (unspecified) wheelbarrow planter has an aged rust appearance that fits with a rustic, rural antique garden theme.
- Glossy black handles and single (unmoveable) front wheels in contrast.
- The unusual shape of the planter bowl offers room for unique arrangement designs.
- Dimensions: 68cm (length); 20cm (width) and 23.5cm (height).
Cons
Our recommendation
The WDSZXH Oxidized Finish Metal Decorative Country Farmhouse Wheelbarrow Planter has a farmhouse appearance that fits into rural gardens and yet acts as a contrast in more urban settings. The unusual elongated shape of the planting section offers a new space for innovative flower pot arrangements.
No products found.
Buyer’s Guide
It’s not difficult to select the right wheelbarrow planter for you, so here are the few things to keep in mind.
Size
We’ve said this throughout this review and we are mentioning it again as many of the online complaints about this product refer to the unexpected smallness of the planters. These planters are not the size of garden wheelbarrows. Please read the dimensions given and draw them out on a piece of paper. And then put a plant pot in the outline so you can see how much planting room you really have.
Material and style
The style of your planter is pretty much linked to the material you choose. Wooden wheelbarrow planters tend to be rustic, even if they come painted as in the Groundlevel Farmyard Wooden Wheel Barrow Planter/Flower Pot. Keep in mind that, as with any wooden garden structure, you can stain or paint it yourself to fit your outdoor colour scheme. Even if you keep the wood in its natural state, we recommend that you put a protective sealant coat over it before you first use the planter.
The metal wheelbarrow planters we found tend to have a more modern design. Some, such as the Thompson and Morgan Cream Metal Wheelbarrow Planter, use curves a lot in the planter bowl and scroll decorations. The best metal plants have a powder coating that protects the metal from rust and all weathers, while others are painted which doesn’t give as much protection.
Liner and holes
Although wood is generally waterproof, especially if you’ve sealed it, we recommend that you use a liner in the planting section to protect the planter from water running off your plants. This is especially true for metal planters. And it also helps if you place your flowers and so on in clay pots inside the planter.
It’s your choice if you want to put holes in the liner and the bottom of the planter to let water out to the ground below. There are mixed opinions about this and it can depend on how much you over-water your plants.
Final Conclusion
A wheelbarrow planter, whether a rustic wood one or a more modern metal style, is a ready-made container in which to plant flowers that has their own visual impact. Whether you use just one in a corner, scatter a few throughout your landscape or gather two or three in a collection, these planters invoke familiar memories in those who see them and relate to your love of gardening.
Our Best Pick for wooden wheelbarrow planter – curved style is the My Garden Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter – Rustic Finish. The Best Pick for straight style is the Mason & Jones Of Great Britain Outdoor Garden Burntwood Wheelbarrow Planter. Both of these planters have working wheels and a rustic finish.
We also have a Best Pick for a Large Wooden Wheelbarrow Planter – the Extra Large Woodland Wheelbarrow Planter. It’s 25cm longer and 29cm wider than the standard wood wheelbarrow planter.
Our choice for the Best Metal Wheelbarrow Planter is the Roots & Shoots Ornate Bronze Effect Wheelbarrow Planter. This adds a more modern style to your garden while still showing off your colourful blooms.
Adding planters to your garden lets you grow plants in places where there is no soil and lets you provide the best growing environment for each flower, fruit or vegetable. Provide trellis planters for climbing plants and vines, tomato planters to encourage and protect your precious crops and herb planters to create your own formal herb garden. For general use, our Best Wooden Planters review looks at all different kinds of wooden planters, including wishing wells.
Last update on 2024-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
