Getting ready to plant your spring garden? Whether you want to grow flowers, potatoes, or fruits and veggies, you want to make sure that you plan the most eco-friendly garden possible. That means skipping the chemical fertilizers, doing your best to xeriscape and choosing low-impact or reclaimed containers, if you're planning to do any container gardening.

We were hitting up the Lowe's by my house when I spotted a display of Jack Daniels whiskey barrel planters. At first glance, I was wary. Rustic planters like old barrels are super hip right now, so I was sure that these suckers were just new barrels distressed to look used. That is, until I got close enough to get a whiff. Woah! Booze city, y'all.

They smelled like used barrels, so I took a closer look at the tag on the side, and it turns out that these suckers are the genuine article! Whiskey barrels that have done their time in the distillery are great for planting all kinds of ornamental and food plants, and they're low impact to boot! These barrels seemed a little pricey to me: ours were $50 apiece at the Lowe's. A friend told me he saw them at the Home Depot for closer to $35 or $40, so that might be worth exploring.

To prep your whiskey barrel for planting, just use a big drill bit to drill holes in the bottom for drainage, fill with compost and potting soil, and you're ready to rock!

What fun, reclaimed planters have you guys been using in your gardens?