The rain held off, so today was a good day to get out and do some field tests for our magnetic planters. We just stuck around the neighbourhood, but did a general test to see what surfaces were magnetic. Unfortunately, the street signs that I had anticipated being a perfect surface for these are not magnetic, but chain link fences are, along with some other random surfaces.
We’ll continue with research on making these planters this week, but also start to think of what we can stamp / stencil / draw onto the flat surface of these.
While the telephone pole itself is made of concrete, there was a metal pole attached to it, rusty and ready for a planter.
I think having multiple planters stacked on top of one another would be ideal for a surface like this.
A dumpster worked really well.
Attaching this to a mailbox could be a nice gift for a Canada Post person.
Drainage pipes (or at least the connectors).
And some more chain link fence. I’m really, really, really happy that chain link fences are magnetic. I think next on the to-do list should be a way to harvest rain water off a fence and direct to it a series of planters.
Very clever! I’da figured the street signs were made of steel?
Use the fence to water? Easy, a certain amount of water will run down the links. Loop a piece of string around an X (or 2) in the fence and the other end in the planter and it’ll wick itself into the planter. Twine might work well and it’s easy to try out – you guys are smart enough to work it thru!
Best,
Barry
Barry – good call! We’ll have to do some tests next time it rains, but feeding water to the planter with twine sounds perfectly simple and doable.
Haven’t tested all street signs, maybe there are some older ones made of steel?
If you’re available during the day any time this week or early next and want to do a quick paper sheeting demo, e-mail me and we can set something up. I don’t always remember to check back here so if you reply in the comments I might not see it in time.
…nice to see it come to a completion. What seed have you experimented with already? Love to hear which ones if you got time. What about hooks for the fences?
steveg
These planters just have wildflower seeds… though we’ve thought about the potential of putting some seeds for an ivy or creeping virginia or something if we mount them on a fence. Also open to other ideas…
We went with magnets so that if someone wants to take a planter, or move it, they can. The magnets make them a bit more flexible (in terms of placement), and a bit more fun to play with when moving them around.
…also, hooks could be used on those new fences at schools that have plastic coating. If you planted peas, mung beans (bean sprouts), or other light vines they could be like a random food source where you could pick a pea pod and eat! I’m experimenting with hanging jars and viney veggies to have fun around my garden, in the home on high places, and at the farm. Keep up the good work, and always always wear a helmut.
Hi
I think this magnetic planter is a fantastik idea.
Where can i get some of these?
Thanks
Marissa
Marissa,
We’ll be posting some more thorough instructions on how to make the magnetic planters soon, they’re fairly easy to make!!