Category: gardening

Did you know that 1 in 3 US households is now growing its own food and that a study in 2012 revealed that 164 million of us enjoy gardening in our spare time?

There are so many keen amateur gardeners these days that it’s super easy to find cheap gardening tools.

Here are 4 cheap gardening tools that you need to own to make life easy.

Gloves

Never underestimate the power of a good pair of gloves. Although it’s a hazard you expect to encounter gardening, getting a well-placed thorn or itchy rash from pulling up the wrong plant is never pleasant.

A good pair of gloves can be fairly pricey, but not always – especially if you take advantage of a great deal.

Keep an eye out for a pair which has good protection along the palm and all the way up the fingers. If the back is made of a softer material, don’t worry too much (unless it looks really flimsy). A bit more stretch in the back side will keep your hands moving freely.

A trowel

You need a trowel. They’re helpful for seeding, weeding, planting and so much more.

Trowels are cheap gardening tools in general – you don’t need anything too fancy and the prices don’t really go up over time. This key tool shouldn’t cost you more than a few bucks.

You can get thin trowels for digging into plastic or resin flower pot arrangements in the yard, or wider trowels for when you’re just working directly in the earth.

Forks and spades

Alright, this is really two cheap gardening tools, but they go together like cheese and wine.

They’re both for digging with but serve different purposes. A spade is for digging big, deep holes you might want to plant a tree in.

A fork is used for loosening and turning over earth, to prepare it for seed sowing.

I recommend you grab metal tools, not plastic – as these will break. But don’t worry, they’re still a very affordable item. You should be able to grab both for well under $50.

I appreciate that might sound like a lot, but these things don’t break easily. They should last you for years and years. Think of it as an investment for all those delicious vegetables you’ll be growing in the yard.

Loppers

Loppers are razor sharp cutting tools that are used to prune back trees and dense bushes. If your garden is in need of some drastic cuts, these may well be your best option, short of more expensive electric tools.

Also consider their smaller cousins, the secateurs (also known as ‘pruners’), which are dead handy to have around the place.

These are easier to use on smaller plants such as overgrown runner beans or roses.

Green fingers itching for cheap gardening tools?

Any dedicated gardener reading this will be raring to get back to the garden by now.

Just remember that when you’ve got hold of your tools, you’re wasting money if you don’t look after them. Store them away safely out of sight, and keep them as dry as possible to prevent rust on metal parts.

I’ve got more DIY tips on your garden waiting for you later. But in the meantime, get those green fingers back to the garden and grow, grow, grow.

Wanting a fun and festive Memorial Day DIY? Look no further! This super affordable craft can be painted with different colors to match your decor or holidays! Below you will find the simple and easy to follow directions:

Materials:
*4 cinder blocks
*Red Spray Paint (i would find one with a primer in it)
*2 pieces of wood (cut to the correct width of cinder blocks and how over long you want)
*Blue latex paint

Directions:
-thoroughly spray pain the cinder blocks. You might need a few coats as the cinder blocks do absorb some paint. Make sure you lay card board or a cloth down if you want to protect ANYTHING from the spray pain! Let dry completely! While the cinder blocks are drying go ahead and paint both pieces of the wood! You might want to do 2 coats on them! Once everything is dry, it is time to assemble! Place 2 cinder blocks where you want them, add a shelf, and repeat until finished! Add some colorful flower pots and decorations and you are DONE!

If you loved this DIY, check out our others! Remember to give it a personal touch and most importantly, have fun!

Dalmatians are iconic for their appearance with and around firetrucks! Do you love dogs? If so then you are going to want to do this super fun and easy DIY Dalmatian made from terra cotta pots! Below you will find instructions on how to make your own!

List of supplies:
*3 large terra cotta pots (for head and body)
*3 large saucers (these normally catch run over water) (for collar and feet)
*4 medium terra cotta pots (for arms)
*rope (to hold arms on)
8super strong glue (I like gorilla glue)
*acrylic paint:
*white
*red
*black
*blue
*old black socks (for ears)
*dirt (for potting)
*some of your favorite flowers (for top)

Directions:
*paint the pots according to the picture above, or add your own designs 🙂 Remember you are making this for you, so keep it personal!
*Let paint completely dry before you start assembling him/her!
*glue the bottom of pot onto the feet.
*run a rope through the hole in the middle pot out to each arm and make a knot. tie off rope where you feel comfortable with arm length.
*glue the middle pot to the bottom pot and let that dry!
*once dry glue the collar on top of middle pot then glue the head onto the collar!
*add some dirt, attach ears (I used gorilla glue to attache to inside of pot), add more dirt and plant your flowers!!!

Its super easy and fun for everyone!! I can’t wait to see what yours look like! Post your thoughts and finished products in the comments below!

For more DIY crafts click me 🙂

Spring is upon us and time for gorgeous colors, fresh flowers, and crafts!  This DIY is fun and easy for all ages! Grab some supplies, such as, flower pots, paint, favorite flower or plant, and your favorite people and get crafting! I know what I will be doing with my kids this weekend!

For the complete list of supplies and instructions please follow me here!

I realize many people reading this post title are thinking I have lost my mind! They are looking out their windows to see snow covering the ground. There isn’t a hint of spring to be seen.

Here in the deep south, we are seeing a much different sight with spring already here. We did not have much of a winter this year. It was pretty mild, and this is the warmest January I can remember in years. January is normally one of the coldest months of the whole year in South Louisiana, but not this year. We are getting a day or two of cold weather, but then it warms back up to the 70’s and flirting with the 80’s! I have even had to run my air conditioner a few times already this month. That is really crazy!

The biggest sign of spring are the clover patches in my grass, and many trees are already blooming along with my azalea bushes. The picture above are blooms from one of my azalea bushes. They are so pretty. I usually do not see this sight until mid to late February. My husband actually had to cut the grass earlier this month. Again our grass is usually dead and no clover in the yard.

All of this spring weather has gotten to me thinking about my spring garden. If you want to grow your own transplants of tomatoes or bell peppers, then in Zone 9 you would have started earlier this month. I decided to skip growing tomatoes as we do not really eat them. I simply do not have the time to make sauces. I am growing bell peppers, but I have my fil giving me some next month as I only need a few plants. I usually chop them up to freeze. The main plant I want to grow this year is cucumbers. I eat at least 2-3 weekly in my salads, but I want to make Refrigerator Sweet Pickle Chips again this year. It was a huge hit with everyone. I will also get some blackberry shoots from my fil as I love fresh berries. One year I plan to tackle growing strawberries. I think I will also grow some red potatoes as well. Nothing like harvesting fresh vegetables and fruits.

Are you seeing signs of spring in your area, or does old man winter look like he is staying? Are you planning your spring garden yet? If you are, then please share with me what you are growing. I love reading about what others are doing in different parts of the country and world.