Spring cleaning for us includes the obligatory window cleaning (I focus on the result of being able to better see the wonders of spring vs. the chore of cleaning multiple surfaces of lots of windows), deck and porch cleaning, and a re-evaluation of all of the stuff in my basement and garage. My wife and I aren’t hoarders, but we don’t always see the value of some of the things one of us chooses to keep.

Some years I have a short written “to do” list of things that need to be cleaned or checked out. Sometimes I just have a mental list, which seems to make the process a little less daunting and often more enjoyable.

This year, one of the things on my mental list is to consider using some of the interesting containers I’ve saved over the years for outdoor planters or flower vases. This is part of my spring cleaning list because when my wife says “Throw it out” I’ll be able to say “It’ll make a really interesting planter for our deck.” We love to entertain outside, and I think that you can almost always find room for one or two more planters or vases. And, I feel better about using them than contributing them to the local trash stream. Some of the containers on my list might need just a little bit of work before they can be used as planters for annuals or vases for cut flowers.

My wife bought an old milk can from Lancaster, PA at a yard sale some years ago. It’s been sitting in our garage for years, and she really likes it. This year, I’m going to clean it up and make into an attractive planter or plant stand.

We have a watering can that no longer holds water (that’ll happen when water inside the can freezes and makes a small split in the seam). It’ll make an interesting container for cut flowers on our deck.

We bought an old milk carton many years ago because it had the name of a local dairy imprinted on the side. Unfortunately, the dairy is long gone; but, the carton lives on as nice reminder of simpler times. I think this will be a good planter and perhaps a conversation starter for our summer outdoor parties.

Our old berry lug from a farm in California somehow found its way to Pennsylvania and to our collection. It, too, should make an interesting container for several small potted geraniums.

I plan to have the “after” photos to show you this summer. Wish me luck!