There’s a particular satisfaction in putting old things back to work, and whilst you might assume antiques are so precious that they belong exclusively in the home, in many instances, the opposite is true. Gardens are hard on materials and antiques that survive there tend to do so because they were well made to begin with.
A chunky stone mortar or an old galvanised wash tub will outperform many modern day garden accessories. There’s no need to treat these objects gently either – they can be adapted, up-cycled and only look even more charming further weathered.
Ahead, are six antiques that make surprisingly useful garden accessories.
1. Stone mortars
Large stone mortars once used for grinding grain or herbs, have a natural depth and weight that suit them perfectly to life outdoors. Filled with rainwater, they become steady bird baths that won’t tip in a strong wind or crack under frost.
The interior texture gives birds secure footing, and the height can be adjusted with a simple plinth of brick or stone.
2. Wooden ladders
An old orchard ladder, preferably hardwood and well-worn, can be leaned against a wall or fence to create a vertical growing structure. It suits climbing beans, sweet peas or even fruit plants trained along its rungs.
The advantage over new trellis is its flexibility. You can move it as the light changes, or lay it flat as a low support for peas. The irregularity of the wood – the slight bends and variations – gives plants more to grip, and often lasts longer than treated softwood alternatives.
3. Zinc buckets
Simple zinc buckets can be hung from hooks or rails to create planting at eye level. Herbs, trailing flowers, or even strawberries will do well, provided there’s adequate drainage. Like the larger tubs, they fare well even in rainy conditions, losing their shine and becoming wonderfully weathered.
4. Chimney pots
Antique chimney pots are common enough (Hadley Reclaimed sell a ton of them), that they are both overlooked and often cheaper than terracotta pots. Yet they make excellent planters, particularly for deep-rooted herbs or small shrubs. Their height gives roots space to develop and the clay breathes in a way plastic simply cannot.
Set directly on soil, they drain freely, and raised slightly on feet, they can be moved and grouped. A line of them along a path, each planted differently – rosemary, bay, lavender and so on – becomes something both practical and beautiful.
5. Galvanised washtubs
Before mains plumbing was standard, galvanised tubs were a staple – used for washing, soaking, or any number of domestic jobs. Today, they make effective planters, particularly for taller perennials such as foxgloves – quite beautifully demonstrated in this Somerset garden belonging to upholsterer Hana Reynolds.
The width allows for a reasonable spread of roots, while the metal copes well with exposure to the elements. Drainage matters – either drilled or improvised – but once sorted, the tub behaves much like any other container.
"Think of your garden as an extension to your home and take elements that would normally sit inside, out, to decorate it," says Hana. "Robust enamelled signs or old tubs are perfect."
6. Dairy churns
Metal milk churns make secure, weather-resistant storage for things you’d rather not leave exposed such as seeds or bird feed – the lid keeping out rain and rodents alike.
They’re especially useful in smaller gardens where a full shed isn’t practical. Tucked beside a wall or hedge, they take up little space and don’t deteriorate quickly. The more they dull and mark, the better they seem to fit.
Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
