A quick look in old gardening magazines and books can often bring to one's attention some useful ideas that never really date.
These usually do not need anything extra to be bought, as they are handy to one's junkheap.
A few adjustments and they are ready for their new life.
1.
Take an old drawer from a desk or wardrobe which has avoided going to the dump with its parent.
Drill a few holes of reasonable size in the base.
Put it in the position where one wishes it placed.
Fill it to within 2inches(5cms) of the top with good soil or potting mix to make an extra gardening bed.
Smaller drawers are fine to start seeds, if seed-raising mix is used.
2.
Old tyres have long been used for potatoes, but why not herbs? Some herbs have sprawling, spreading habits, and placing in tyres showcases this well.
Place the tyre on the grass or in the garden bed.
Paint it with whatever colour will contrast with the herb's foliage colour, or accentuates it.
The tyre can be hidden behind other plants if so wanted.
Fill it with a mixture of garden soil and soilless potting mix.
Lavender, prostrate rosemary, oregano, sage and thyme are some herbs that look good in this setting.
Get the kids to help - you never know, they might grow up to be creative gardeners! 3.
Have one's pots got too much weight in them to easily move around? Want perfect drainage? Wondering what to do with those millions of packing peanuts of styrofoam/ plastic pieces that come in parcels? Layer them 1inch(2.
5cms) in the base of smaller pots, and 3inches(7cms) into the bottoms of larger pots under the potting mix or soil for drainage help.
They can also be dug into packed, hard soils or clay soils to aid drainage.
It takes away the risk of bad cuts from broken crockery or pottery.
This is a good way to both help the ecosystem and lighten the pots.
4.
Have an old metal or strong plastic dustpan around? These can be very useful as an alternative to a shovel.
Kneel on a mat beside the soil needing moving, with the wheelbarrow within easy reach, dig into the soil with the dustpan and transfer the soil to the wheelbarrow.
It may look a little odd to passers-by, but who cares, if it protects one's back? 5.
Inexpensive garden lights can be made using large empty glass jars.
Wash them out, and remove any labels.
Paint the jars, leaving plain patches to form patterns, if wanted.
Pour 2to3inches(5to7cms) of clean sand into the jar, and embed a white candle into it.
Try to get jars that will hold the sand and the candle comfortably within.
Pillar candles are best.
Set them along garden paths or set them in a favourite spot.
These usually do not need anything extra to be bought, as they are handy to one's junkheap.
A few adjustments and they are ready for their new life.
1.
Take an old drawer from a desk or wardrobe which has avoided going to the dump with its parent.
Drill a few holes of reasonable size in the base.
Put it in the position where one wishes it placed.
Fill it to within 2inches(5cms) of the top with good soil or potting mix to make an extra gardening bed.
Smaller drawers are fine to start seeds, if seed-raising mix is used.
2.
Old tyres have long been used for potatoes, but why not herbs? Some herbs have sprawling, spreading habits, and placing in tyres showcases this well.
Place the tyre on the grass or in the garden bed.
Paint it with whatever colour will contrast with the herb's foliage colour, or accentuates it.
The tyre can be hidden behind other plants if so wanted.
Fill it with a mixture of garden soil and soilless potting mix.
Lavender, prostrate rosemary, oregano, sage and thyme are some herbs that look good in this setting.
Get the kids to help - you never know, they might grow up to be creative gardeners! 3.
Have one's pots got too much weight in them to easily move around? Want perfect drainage? Wondering what to do with those millions of packing peanuts of styrofoam/ plastic pieces that come in parcels? Layer them 1inch(2.
5cms) in the base of smaller pots, and 3inches(7cms) into the bottoms of larger pots under the potting mix or soil for drainage help.
They can also be dug into packed, hard soils or clay soils to aid drainage.
It takes away the risk of bad cuts from broken crockery or pottery.
This is a good way to both help the ecosystem and lighten the pots.
4.
Have an old metal or strong plastic dustpan around? These can be very useful as an alternative to a shovel.
Kneel on a mat beside the soil needing moving, with the wheelbarrow within easy reach, dig into the soil with the dustpan and transfer the soil to the wheelbarrow.
It may look a little odd to passers-by, but who cares, if it protects one's back? 5.
Inexpensive garden lights can be made using large empty glass jars.
Wash them out, and remove any labels.
Paint the jars, leaving plain patches to form patterns, if wanted.
Pour 2to3inches(5to7cms) of clean sand into the jar, and embed a white candle into it.
Try to get jars that will hold the sand and the candle comfortably within.
Pillar candles are best.
Set them along garden paths or set them in a favourite spot.