Cast Iron and Galvanised

Metal troughs make excellent planters due the relatively light weight, large capacity and value for size of planting area.  We always have a good range of late 19th and early 20th Century cast iron troughs, usually agricultural in origin, though sometimes also industrial.  The nicer examples have makers names and incorporate iron rings, usually on the ends which would have been used to tether horses or other animals.  The shape and size of these troughs is related to their original use.  Pig troughs are heavy, low and often circular.  Pig troughs also often have dividers to stop the young piglets from eating each others food.  Horse troughs are usually long and rectangular and often have tethering rings on the sides or ends. The smallest troughs were originally meant for chickens or sheep. 

Old galvanised troughs have become popular in recent years as garden planters. They come in big range of sizes, the soft grey zinc colour looks good against a flower bed and the rivetted joints give an aura of a bygone industrial age.