Hi Piper, I'm also in SoCal in Walnut, near Pomona. Will you use your wheelbarrow for other things? If you drill holes in it, it's still useful for everything except mixing cement or liquids. If you don't drill holes, even if you protect the bottom, it will collect rainwater unless it's under cover. I would drill holes in it, then spray the inside bottom, and maybe the outside, with car undercoating from the auto parts store. It's about $5 a can, but one can would easily do it with plenty left over for other projects. Let it dry for several days before using. The can says it dries in a few minutes, but that hasn't been my experience. It works really well You can plant directly in it or fill it with pots. Some people tip them over and plant them, which would prevent the water issue. If it's not painted with exterior paint, it could come off pretty quickly and need repainted. I'm sure others will have good ideas for you. Please post a picture, so we can see. Linda

Oh Linda, I've been thinking about you and the LA Fabric Mart!! I might be emailing you in the future for a 'buddy' to go up there with me.

Thanks for the good tips. The car undercoating sounds like a good idea and makes perfect sense!! I was thinking of drilling holes and seeing if I can find like a flexible plastic round thingey that wraps around the hole and I could coordinate with the hole size and put this in the hole as a liner so to speak that would keep the water that drains out, from corroding the whole I drilled. I guess I've seen these clear flexible plastic round things in other applications and will have to see if I can run anything like this down. I've also thought of planting in big plastic sink dishwashing plans and placing them in a bigger plastic pan to collect the water. I don't know, just throwing some ideas around. Thanks!!, Nicole