You don't have to spend a fortune on gardening containers to green your backyard.  Just about anything you can find in your attic or in the trash that you can poke a few holes in the bottom will do--even throwaways: a mini trash can, plastic soda bottles, tin coffee cans, an old boot, a wooden trunk, you name it.  You can even spray paint the ones you don't like the look of and make a color coordinated collection of your motley crew of planters. A couple tips to keep in mind will help make your garden grow beautifully:

• If your container may inhibit drainage, line the bottom with a couple inches of rocks, which will prevent water from gathering at the bottom and will prevent fungus.
• Use high quality soil for your plants.  Nothing will help them grow better than good soil.
• Water and care for your plants as usual.
• If you decide to spray paint your containers, use paint with RustOleum, which will prevent you from having to do it again next year.

Photo via re-nest.com