Safe paint

Hi - my mum very kindly rescue this from a local saleroom. £5.00 bargain!

Fancy painting it a nice colour and then planting strawberries and or tomatoes and or (any suggestions) in it.

Concerned whether some paints/varnishes could be toxic. What should I be looking for?

 

You could use any gloss paint or varnish, most varnishes or water based now, and modern gloss paint doesn't contain any nasties these days.
Hope this helps

 

there are special non toxic paints for toys

 

My concern would be, what has it already been treated with in the past.