Well, Joe got me motivated with his picture tutorials this week so I thought I’d photograph my wine barrel container makeover. The only difference is Joe’s tutorials involve a skill set that he has for grafting whereas my project doesn’t involve any intelligence or skill (and thus even I can do it ). Anyway, I just thought I’d share how I try to dress up my half wine barrels and protect them from the elements.

Most of the wine barrels I’ve purchased ended up on clearance and look awful. The wood is grey, stains, rust, etc are prevalent. Some might prefer that look and in many cases it looks fine in the right setting as shown below:


Fortunately I have a pressure washer that will typically take the barrel above and make it look like this:

I was lucky this time and Dixieline Lumber had half barrels that were in fantastic shape compared to what I normally get (I also paid $8 more this time since they weren’t on clearance). Personally, I like to get the half of the barrel that has the steel band on the bottom of it. I haven’t had problems with rust stains on my patio and I like the idea of the weight of the barrel, tree, and soil resting on metal instead of the wood. The only downside, is that I have a strict boycott of French products and I didn’t check the barrel before I bought it.

My second step after pressure washing is typically to remove any stains or stray marks on the barrel. I find that a wire brush works well. I also hit any rust on the steel rings with the brush too, but this is likely a mistake since I’m probably taking off the galvanization that prevents further rust.

I then drill a dozen holes or so in the bottom of the barrel for drainage.

I then spray the barrel down with a bleach solution on the exterior. I do this to lighten the wood to make it look more uniform. I also try to kill any mold left over from before I pressure washed it.

I also spray the interior with pruning seal to try to increase the longevity of the barrel and hopefully help prevent the wood from rotting.

After the bleach water is dried, I started masking the steel rings before I put the wood sealer on. I didn’t do this with my first barrel and thought I could just scrape of the wood sealer when I was done. Masking takes a lot less time!!!!

I use Behr Wood Sealant with a Red Tone. I use this on my fence and I’ll tell you the stuff is great. My fence went in at the same time as my neighbors and their fences are all grey and ugly (or rustic if that’s your look ). I’ve had to reapply it to my fence every few years, but I’ve never had to do the barrels other than a touch up here and there from kids scratching them.

I painted on the top half first:

Then the bottom:

And here’s the final product after peeling the tape off (in the rain tonight).


Anyway I ordered a new citrus tree that came into the nursery today, so my plan is to plant it into this using the CHC media. I’m going to try the pot-in-a-pot method since I’ve recently learned that I did a big “no no” planting my small trees into a large container like this.


If anyone else has other container ideas, I’d love to hear about them. I could use some variety besides the wine barrels. (Please no ideas like “toilets in the back yard with Buddha’s Hand growing out of it”. I’m sure it would be making a statement, but not the one I’m looking for. )

Phillip

Merci Sylvain pour ton intervention, j'ai moi aussi été assez surpris et déçu par ce genre de réflection ( si au moins elle avait été suivie par un smiley wink ) ). La pensée Bushiste à encore de belles journées devant elle !!!
All the best for knowledgeable people
Robert

Very nice looking barrel. Generally the wine industry believes French oak gives the wine a fuller robust taste. However, many local wineries are converting to American oak because it is less expensive. Thanks for the tutorial. - Millet

No problem,
It's a simply "epidermique reaction", you have only forgot the wink smiley, because i assume that you drank the contents of the barrel too fast
Without rancor, all the best.
Robert

Many American have an animosity for the French because they did not support our invasion of Iraq. I for one like the French--I think they were right. But many Americans do not know that French intelligence had infiltrated Al Qaida prior to 9-11 and they tried to warn us with very accurate information. Maybe we could use a few more friends like them!

Thank-you skeeter for theese appaisantes and clearsighted words, it happens regrettably that between the best friends sometimes misunderstandings appears, but fortunately between reals friends the problems can be settled around a barrel of Wine; French !!! Of course !!!
CHIN-CHIN ))
Robert

I don't know much about French wine, but French girls are quite special. - Millet

Oh yea! I agree that. But I think you know than French girls are more and more expensive than somes wine barrels, I am aware, because married with a French girl!!!
Robert

When I was last in Paris, I ate at McDonalds. Not all French girls are treated nicely. Look what they did to Saint Joan of Ark. - Millet