55 Gallon Barrels For Small Raised Beds or Planters

We can buy 55 gallon plastic barrels for $5 from our local recycling center. We are going to fill them with dirt and plant some of the harder to contain herbs in them.

We decided to cut some of the barrels in half horizontally and others vertically.  For the vertically cut barrels we lay them over on their side and place them in a homemade wooden cradle for stability. 1/4" and 1/2" holes are drilled in the bottoms of the planters for drainage.

The Cradle is made from 2" cedar boards with the two end boards cut with a jigsaw to match the curvature of the barrel for good support.