GARDEN HALF BARREL PLANTER BLACK PLASTIC 50CM DIAMETER - X 2 PLANTERS

Product Information

Measuring approximately 70 cm in diameter and 38 cm high, this half barrel is a decent size for planting one medium-size shrub, or several smaller plants. There are no drainage holes, so these need to be made once it arrives (if you’re intending to use the barrel as a planter!), but this can be done relatively easily with a standard drill bit. Furthermore, like our first planter the Marko half barrel has a hole, with a 2.4cm diameter drilled into its base, making this the perfect product for planting. This of course means that the planter is not to be used as a water feature, so have a think about exactly what you want your half barrel to operate as before buying. You have options with the Marko half barrel planter, primarily when it comes to the colour. Available in a dark burntwood design or a fresh ‘natural’ colour which is most similar to the colour of pine, I enjoy the aesthetic versatility of this product. Like the previous planter, the Marko half barrel measures 30cm x 38cm, so it’s not exactly the biggest half barrel planter on the market, but don’t let this put you off – there are many things to love about this planter. Despite looking like part of a wooden barrel, this planter is in fact made from recycled plastic. It therefore has the charm of a traditional planter, but can be left outside all year round without the fear of applying waterproofing treatments or dealing with wood rot. If you have a small garden, or want to use the planter inside, you should carefully measure how much space you have available. It seems that particularly wooden planters, that are upcycled from real barrels, are often larger than customers expect.

Plastic Half Barrel Cask Planters 28 Rustic Style Dark Grey Plastic Half Barrel Cask Planters 28

The ‘copper’ option uses warmer tones, fitting in with oranges and browns in the garden, whilst the ‘pewter’ model works well with cooler tones like stonework and gravel. Of course, neither planter is actually made from genuine metal, and is instead constructed from realistically-moulded plastic. If you want to add some character to your garden, a half barrel planter is a great choice. Not only do these make the perfect home for shrubs, flowers and herbs, they’re also eye-catching features in their own right ( and they can often be used as mini ponds too!). Half barrel planters are usually very large, often with a volume of up to 100L. The depth and diameter are the main indicators of the size. By not having holes already in place, there is also the option of using this planter as a small water feature. It has a 22 L capacity and the plastic is completely watertight making for an inexpensive solution to get an ornamental pond in the garden. In terms of plastic half barrel planters, the UK-Gardens product isn’t a bad contender, combining practicality with aestheticism to make for a well-rounded planter which does exactly what it says on the tin.

Super Plugs

Unsurprisingly, this large solid oak barrel is heavy, weighing approximately 30 kg. It’s therefore a lot harder to move around the garden than a plastic model, which may be a necessary consideration for some people. These barrels are watertight and can be used as small ponds and water features, or they can be used as planters. Much like with wooden barrels, if using as a planter you will likely need to drill holes in the base for drainage – they don’t tend to come pre-drilled. Half barrel planters are either made from wood or plastic. If you’re after authenticity, you’ll want to consider a genuine wooden barrel. These are created from real alcohol barrels, and often still hold onto a light smell of whiskey or wine. Plastic barrels can look surprisingly like the real thing, especially from a distance. They are often made from resin, or another type of plastic, and are moulded to look like wooden barrels with metal belts.

Planters Oak-Effect Set of 4 - Coopers of Stortford Barrell Planters Oak-Effect Set of 4 - Coopers of Stortford

The dimensions are 64 cm wide by 45 cm tall, resulting in a large planter with a very generous capacity. It may be too large for some smaller gardens, but if you’ve got enough space you’ll be able to plant bulbs, flowers, shrubs and even small trees. Depending on the age of the wooden barrel, the rusticity of its appearance can vary. Some look relatively new, whilst others have been darkened by age or show signs of rust on the metal rings holding them together. To some, this is aesthetically desirable, but others may prefer the structural reassurance of no visible rust. Measuring approximately 70 cm in diameter and 40 cm tall, this barrel has one of the largest capacities on this list at 100 L. As a result, it’s large enough to plant larger bushes in, such as hydrangeas and roses.In addition to this, the base of the planter is totally watertight, with no holes drilled. This is good news for those of you who are after a half barrel planter to use as a water feature, but bad news for those who need drainage holes for planting. However, drilling your own drainage holes is hardly a lengthy or technical process, so this should not be a dealbreaker.

Best half barrel planters UK: top plastic and wooden extra

Upcycled from an original solid oak barrel, in a previous life this planter held red wine for wineries in Europe. Now, it can be used as either a large planter or water feature in the garden. Made from recycled materials, the Strata Sankey Oakwood Barrel Planter is a rustic-looking, low-maintenance option that’s also environmentally friendly. It’s manufactured by a relatively small UK company based in Nottinghamshire.

Value Plugs

What sets this style apart from the standard Temesso barrel planters are the rusting metal bands and darker, uneven tones of the wood; these features give the barrel an older, more traditional appearance. Measuring in at 25cm x 49cm, this barrel is a decent size, sitting around the mid to large range for half barrel planter. It weighs approximately 16kg, which is a pretty decent weight for a half barrel planter – not too heavy, but not so light that it will blow away on a particularly blustery day. With great design and even better value for money, the Cooper of Stortford half barrel plastic planter is a worthy winner of the best plastic planter. Weighing a light 1.4 kg, it’s also practical to move around the garden, whilst still feeling solid and robust. In fact, it’s so watertight that many customers have even reported using the Oakwood Barrel Planter as a small pond, or water-feature, to great effect.

Half Barrel Cask Planter, Flower Pots SG Traders Large Half Barrel Cask Planter, Flower Pots

Another unfortunate shortcoming of this planter is the fact that it is in no way waterproof. Now, this is to be expected with wooden planters, as exposure to water can often lead to rotting and long-term damage to the wood. However, where many wooden planters can overcome this issue with wood treatment, the wood used with this particular product has a slightly cheap and thin feeling to it. Don’t be surprised if you notice wood stains coming off in your hand when handling this product after a heavy downpour, as the coating also is not of the best quality. Specification: Material: Plastic , Single hole in centre of base for liquid drainage: yes , Size (Approx): 25 x 49cm To avoid buying new plastic products, I recommend choosing a plastic barrel made from recycled materials . These offer a good compromise between respecting the environment and maintaining the practical qualities of plastic. Measuring at approximately 30cm x 38 cm, this barrel is decent sized, and would work well as a planter for some mid-sized flowers, such as geraniums and roses, or as a mini herb garden. Unfortunately, if you were looking for a larger planter which could hold a tree or bush then this planter is a little too small.

2 litre Potted Plants

Large barrels (around 70 cm in diameter) are best for planting shrubs and trees . Smaller barrels, with a diameter of around 50 cm, are better suited to small gardens. They’re a great option for planting herbs and flowers.