Tin Can Flowers

                                                                                                                                                          
Decide what colors to paint the cans. Select a rust-inhibiting paint such as Tremclad spray paint. If the look of the original aluminum is preferred, select a clear coat spray, instead.
Set up a work area outdoors in a location where ventilation is good, on a day that is not too windy. A portable workbench lined with newspaper set up in the driveway or back yard is ideal for spray painting the cans.
Wearing old work clothes and a pair of rubber gloves, spray each can according to the product’s directions. It is not necessary to paint the interior of the cans. Allow the cans to dry thoroughly. 
Avoid planting directly in the coffee cans, instead placing a reused plastic flower pot inside as a liner. This will allow for better drainage. A six inch plastic flower pot will normally fit into a large coffee can. A smaller pot can be placed upside down in the bottom of the can to raise up the level of the plant set inside. Experiment with the plastic pots that are left from last season’s garden, and avoid purchasing new pots, since the goal of this project is to reuse existing household materials.

Arrange the brightly-colored coffee can planters in groups around the deck or balcony, planted up with blooming annuals, edible flowers such as nasturtiums, herbs or even vegetables, depending on the size of the can and variety of the plant.
When the growing season is over, and it’s time to clean up the garden for autumn and winter, remember to bring the cans into the garden shed, garage or basement to ensure they will last for several seasons. If necessary, touch up the paint if it gets scratched or the paint becomes chipped as the pots sit outside.