Old School Tools

I love old gardening kit. I'd rather have an old, solidly made piece of kit that's been around for years and should last quite a few more than some plasticky piece of modern crap. I have two pairs of pretty rubbish modern shears in the garage, but these look and feel so much nicer, and they make a proper 'snick' noise when you use them.

I aquired them for the princely sum of £2.50 at the Tynemouth Sunday market. A bargainous find. They need a bit of a clean up and sharpen, but a bit of elbow grease and they'll be good as new.

 

Posted with Blogsy

The Hanging Planters Of.... Sunderland...

 

I read somewhere recently (possibly Gardeners World Magazine) about a thrifty method of preparing hanging baskets. Ever the cheapskate I decided to give it a go.

The general gist is quite simple - don't buy moss or whatever to line it with. Kill two birds with a single proverbial stone and use the mossy thatchy stuff that you can rake out of the lawn. Simple! Hanging basket liner and an incentive to get around to scarifying the lawn in one fell swoop.

Now to see how well it lasts. We've had a couple of seriously soggy, windy days since it went up and it has survived thus far. Only time and the ever delectable British climate will tell.

 

Posted with Blogsy

DIY Planters

DIY planters are hardly a new idea, but using things that would otherwise be chucked is one of my favourite things about gardening. I think it adds an interesting and eclectic look to the garden. These planters are parts from an old bread maker that we had that gave up the ghost. Not bad eh?