Today I’m sharing posts for the light up globe planters I made for the back patio of our house in Florida. These are all cell phone pictures, I didn’t bring my DSLR camera on this trip so the color, sharpness and quality aren’t that great, it’s also hard to take pictures at dusk, but these are good enough to get the idea across.
We have a long rectangular patio and I have two nice sitting areas, but it gets pitch dark at night because there is no outside light here, so this was my seasonal solution. It’s beautiful during the day, but so dark at night, so these ambient lights make the evening hours longer.
Here are the sources for the project: two 27” white corrugated tall resin planters; two sets of 25′ white exterior lights; 4 50 lb bags of quick-setting concrete (2 for each planter); 15 ft outdoor waterproof extension cord (for turning on lights); two white 96″ closet rods; 1¼” screw eye hooks, attached to the top of the post and house; 1.5 cubic feet of soil per plant; galvanized wire connecting light threads to screw eyes; electric drill and drill bits.
First step: Drill pilot holes in one end of the cabinet rods, then attach the hook to the screws.
Second step: Fill each planter with 50 lb bags of concrete following the mixing instructions. Use a level to ensure the rod is level and stabilize the cabinet post with painter’s tape to allow the concrete to harden. Repeat with another bag for each planter.
The third step: Just above the cement line, drill several drainage holes with a drill bit on one side of the planter to allow water to drain out of the soil. Apply a 1.5 cubic foot layer of soil over the set cement around each post in each planter and add plants of your choice, I used aztec grass.
Step Four: Remove the glass bulbs from the light strings. Place the planter posts on the patio and thread the light wires into place, attaching the electrical wires to both the top of the planter posts and your home.
Step Five: Reattach the glass bulbs to the light cords, plug into an outdoor electrical outlet with an extension cord, and enjoy!
I captured the process and much more of the outdoor scene on video so check out today’s Reel on Instagram to see how this project came to be!
Globe lights add charm and ambiance as day turns to night, all made possible by two very strong posts anchored in the planter!
When the mosquitoes or gnats come around, I have my DIY citronella candle and this awesome rechargeable bug catcher to keep those pests at bay.
Next, I’m on the hunt for a nice rug and a few more plants to complete this space, but for now I’m kicking off my flip flops, listening to the breeze, and relaxing on this outdoor patio.