which is not bad. However, if you are going to use them as planters, seal them well. I've had several warp really fast.
We are in the middle of a renovation and those crates are the only shelves our kitchen has (all piled up on the counters...)
The wine stores do use them to send large orders out, so they may not let you have them free; however, they should not ask for much.

Hi Cher,

I'm always keen on free wood finds, but I must admit that I'm not a wine drinker and have no clue what wine boxes look like. I did a web search and found a few that housed one or two bottles of wine. It sounded, however, that you were referring to something larger. How big is what you mean and what kind of wood is it generally made of? Do they have tops? Are the boxes solid or made with slats?

I'd appreciate a photo (or link) if you have one... I'm already thinking of a few projects I could do if they are what I imagine them to be.

Thanks!! Monica

I'm glad you asked that, Monica, because I too have been wondering what they look like and what I could do with them.

Alex

I've posted a link to a pic below.

The ones I've been getting are twice as high as the one in the pic, however.

Types of things to use them for:

--I lined one with plastic and put compost from my worm bin in it. Sorted out the new worms and took out the plastic bag and the box was as good as new.

--As posted above, they are terrific for storage. Very stackable.

--They can be used for planting but drasaid has a good point. They need to be sealed...but on the other hand, if you're lazy, they could be used for at least one season without the sealing.

If you do use them for planting...

Once the box has started to disintegrate,if they have a nice French (or Italian) wine label on them, pull the imprinted part off and hang it somewhere around your garden shed as a sort of aged French sign. My husband brought home a couple of signs that were actually manufactured to look like aged wine crate pieces.

Years ago I had a wine crate like the one in the pic below. I divided it with wooden pieces from another wine crate that had fallen apart. It was divided into six equal areas and into each area, I put various types of soils (sandy, loamy, etc.). This allowed me to grow plants like hens n' chicks right next to plants that needed plenty of water. After the plants grew enough to cover the dividers, it really looked amazing! My gardening friends could not figure out how I managed to grow dry-condition plants next to moist-condition plants, heh!

Cher

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:52647}}

I wanted to add this tip. I was just reading an article on vermicomposting and the author said that worms do much better in wood bins than plastic. I think I'll change my bins over from plastic to wood wine crates.

Cher

I have to agree, why buy wine crates when you can get them for free?

Let me tell you why this is very difficult. Only fine wine stores really get wine crates, because wine crates are used to ship very expensive wines. The vast majority of wine is shipped in cardboard.

The wine stores that actually do get wine crates use them for displays, remove the engraved panels for wall decoration or give them to their best customers. The crates they give away to the public are usually the ones that nobody wants! Mostly, these crates have been shipped several times and are in very poor condition. The truth is: Who has the time to go to 10 different wine shops looking for an unusable wine crate, they probably won't find?

At winepine.com, We have been in the wine business for over 10 years. The crates we offer are in the best possible condition, because they were only shipped once. They come directly from their country of origin to us, and then are stored in a clean and secure warehouse designed to protect high-end wine. Special attention is paid to the crates to prevent imperfections. Once the actual wine is sold, the crate is then lightly sanded, all excess staples/nails are removed and any stickers are also removed. The end result is the best possible crate and the most time saved for our customer.

At winepine you will know exactly what you are getting. Our rating system points out any mild imperfection that may exist. Looking for a specific type of wine crate? We probably have it! All types of French, Bordeaux, Spanish, Italian, Australian and many many more.

Please visit us at www.winepine.com and browse our huge selection.

Over 1,000 transactions & 100% Feedback on eBay!

Here is a link that might be useful: Winepine Website

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I'll do that tomorrow! I may not use them all for planters, but they'll come in handy.

Sam's Club always has wine crates, although this time of year you will have a hard time finding one that is close to empty due to the high demand. They are free. I am not advertising for Sam's but have grabbed about 9 crates so far over the course of about 4 visits.

Grapes used to come in little crates too.

Corn is shipped in crates also. Ask they are free.

Treat the wooden boxes with what? I need something non-toxic if I am going to be planting edible herbs and veggies. Thanks!

budgetmaven, I have the exact same question. What veggies do you want to plant? I also need to hunt down as many boxes, bins, crates, and buckets as I can for my tomatoes seedlings, and so far wood supplies seem to be the easiest to nab.

Speaking of wine crates, I incidentally found a wine box (big enough for ONE veggie plant, maybe) the day before yesterday. I decided on a whim to go hunting for bins/containers of any sort, and one of the very first little streets in my neighborhood that I turned onto had a bunch of wood furniture pieces out on the sidewalk. Among these were some older wood play-kitchen "appliances," just a couple feet tall, if that. One even has a little plastic tub in the top for a "sink," which I figured I could use separately for seedlings/winter sowing as well.

Not only exactly what I was looking for, but pretty adorable.

Does anyone know where I can score a few crates in the Hampton Roads area?

Does anyone know what are wooden wine crates are treated with and is it safe to plant edibles in them?