Old cars as garden art: things to think about

Old Cars as Garden Art: Garden decor series

It’s an interesting phenomenon! Junky, old cars as garden art. Or “sculpture” to be more exact. One might never imagine the idea would become so popular. Why is that? (those who know me, know I’m a “why” person). Part of it, I think, is the nostalgia factor. Additionally, Vintage and up-cycling are pretty hot trends right now.

The other part of it–probably even more so–is the ingenuity or “whimsy” of it and the artistic value. So it’s a combination of the two. Something like an old battered car that seemingly has little worth, transformed in a display surrounded by heaps of brilliant flowers. It brings about beaming smiles and the irresistible urge for a selfie!

I find it fascinating and I’m not alone. Old cars as garden art flood Pinterest and social media. It’s tempting to want one if you have the space. It looks so cool in that photo you saw on Instagram, but what about having it in your own backyard? Before you do, here are some practical things to think about.

Using old cars as garden art

If you’re considering doing something like this, there’s some important questions that need to be asked. First of all, how do you turn an old vehicle into a planter? Do you fill the thing up with dirt? Or do you just leave the plants in their pots?

How about stability? Would the vehicle need some type of special support? Should it be up on blocks or can it rest naturally on the ground? Assuming an old vehicle is not operational, what’s involved in getting it to your house?

For answers, I reached out to Mike Monterusso, Executive Director of Alaska Botanical Garden. (this writer’s home state) They have an old 1947 Chevy pickup in one of their garden displays. Each summer, the truck bed is overflowing with large cabbage. Needless to say, that truck is a big hit with the public.

Monterusso was instrumental in acquiring the classic auto. It had been a “project” car the owner realized he was just never going to finish. It was partially donated by the local resident.

Creating the display

The Botanical Garden was looking for some structural-type art that would fit with their Anchorage Heritage Garden. Something that would reflect the early years of farming in Alaska from the 1880’s to the 1950’s. Someone suggested an old pick-up truck. And so the search began. Monterusso recalls that as time passed, they had almost given up hope when they found one on Craig’s List.

The truck, which had been painted by the previous owner, has no engine in it. It was hauled into the garden on a tow truck or flatbed loader type of vehicle and set in place. But it’s also not intended to be permanent. It’s just ornamental, which means they can move it when they want to do something different in the future. But for the time being, it’s immensely popular with visitors to the garden.

Turning a vehicle into a Planter: Q & A

1) Do you have to do anything special to support the truck?

“Not really, no”, Monterusso said. “We don’t use cinder blocks or anything, we just let it sit on the ground. We do try to keep the tires inflated, but dry rot has set in. One tire is completely flat now.”

“The objective here is obviously not preservation”, he said. “That would be costly”. So, there it sits. Over time, it will become part of the scenery. Then it will look less staged, and more and more like someone just left it there long ago.

2) How do you plant things in a truck? Do you fill the bed with dirt or just leave the plants in their pots?

I’ve always wondered: “how did they do that?”

Monterusso explained that the old truck would not be able to support the weight of all that soil in the back. So, they opted instead to fill it with wood chips. Then they stick the potted cabbages down on the inside. So the truck really does function like a planter.

3) Was it necessary to line the pick-up’s bed with a sheet of plywood for additional support?

Monterusso can’t recall if they added any sheet plywood or protective liner underneath before adding the chips.

Out in the weather, wet wood chips can get heavy too, can’t they? “Yes, they do”, he replied. “Anything with some weight to it will settle and sink a bit. The truck is slightly lopsided now”.

Some good advice

As an executive, Monterusso has the following advice for anyone interested in using old cars as garden art. If you intend for your auto to be on display–such as on the front lawn or any space that’s accessible to the public, be prepared for people who will stop and take pictures. It helps to be a people person! Just be aware that you’ve got something super photogenic, with or without flowers.

At Alaska Botanical Gardens, Monterusso says visitors have climbed up on the hood or opened the door to sit behind the wheel for a photo. Right now, their truck is pretty stable. However, as a property owner, you may wish to take precautions to secure your display if you don’t want it to be a temptation.

Additionally, Monterusso cautioned to make sure it’s clear of hazards. There’s no engine in their vehicle so they don’t have to worry about any gasoline or oil leaks.

Finally, my own two cents worth: Before you set your sites on a vehicle, check first with your HOA. Even without one, there may be city codes in place. And although you may consider it “art”, someone else may not see it that way. You want your project to be as fun and hassle-free as possible.

Things to think about

When it comes to using old cars as garden art, keep this one thing in mind. If you live in a winter climate, an old vehicle isn’t going to look like those pretty pictures for a portion of the year. Will you be OK with that? Also, there’s the cost of flowers–ideally lots of them. Flowers are gorgeous and really “make” this attraction. But the maintenance is a lot of work keeping them watered and dead-headed.

Other costs may involve having the vehicle painted. Some people like bright, cheerful colors and may be of the opinion that it looks a lot less like “salvage” if it’s painted. (as with the top photo) Others prefer the rugged, rustic look.

Either way, it could be made more interesting if you select a vintage car or truck that has some historic ties to your local area. You may even wish to get an old tractor if it’s a farming community.

If there’s no engine, you can arrange potted plants under the hood. The raised hood will draw attention to the display and also provide shade from the hot afternoon sun.

Create an eye-catching vignette

Consider some clever ways to decorate your vehicle planter to give it more of an artsy appearance. The easiest thing to do is to simply change it out seasonally. For Fall and harvest, surround it with pumpkins and bales of hay. You might even make a scarecrow and set him in behind the wheel. For Valentine’s Day, make a cute display with hearts carved from plywood and bouquet of plastic roses.

Use some auto-related props in your display. Things like vintage oil cans or gas cans or old speed limit signs. Or, what about an old sign from a car dealership? Again, it’s even more effective if there’s some local history tied to it.

Finally, while you may have lots of ideas now, you need to look ahead, too. Large and complex car sculptures in the backyard can be problematic. As utterly charming as your car or truck planter may be, you may get tired of the look or just keeping flower beds maintained.

Should you decide to do something different in the future, you’ll have a vehicle you no longer want taking up space. Unless you find a buyer who will pick up the towing tab, it will cost you again to remove it. An old vehicle can also be an issue if you sell your property. So really consider this seriously.

Other options

However, if you’re really set on creating the “look”, here’s some great alternatives that may work out better for you in the long run. In fact, it’s not even necessary to have a whole vehicle to convey “car” and “the good ol’ days”!

Have you thought about using automotive pieces and parts? These are all less expensive and something you can haul yourself, which saves you money. It’s much more manageable to collect smaller parts rather than the entire automobile. For example, I saw a vignette on Pinterest just cute as a button. They made a simple vignette by grouping together a single car door, a vintage Coca-Cola sign and potted plants. With the window still intact and rolled down part way, it was enough in and of itself to give a sense of the by-gone days we love.

You can also incorporate tires, rims, a steering wheel, or just the iconic hood of a classic car. You’ve probably seen tailgate benches that are all the rage. Together, these work wonders to get your “car junk” scene across!

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Final thoughts

Old autos used as garden decor are very tricky to get ‘right’ so that they look like art and not junk. Folks like you and me –we ‘get it’! We can see the artistic value, but the reality is, not everyone can. So, do a little homework before your project gets too far along. You don’t want your neighbors calling the city to complain about an eye-sore.

But for many, there’s something about the past that touches us and moves us on the inside. Something happy and sweet about a bygone era we romanticize. See, I told you I was a “why” person.

I’m only reflecting on the way I respond when I happen across an old vehicle. One that’s before my time. One that belongs to my parents or even my grandparent’s time. A part of us wonders about the lifestyle back then and what it must have been like living in those days when the old car was new. It gives us something real that we can touch and handle–a part of history that makes us think–if only for a brief moment and then we move on.

Related posts you may enjoy:

The Art of the Flea Market Garden

Ideas for a Bicycle in the Garden

Trash to Treasure: How to Shop for Garden Decor