#ebay landscape equipment

[tameblog]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[ramestoryworld]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[alexha2210]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[angusstory]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[tumibaba]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[romaleen]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[monaleen101]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[iamownerofme]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[shelyold]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[iammeandmy]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[januishstory]

February 1st, 2025 Posted In: Garden Style & Living Recycled garden furniture, landscaping and planters can save you money.And they always add character and individuality to your garden or backyard.Plus it’s the most sustainable way of living. Even if your recycled garden isn’t cheaper than buying new, it’s still a better use of world resources.Recycling can look contemporary – or it can create a rustic garden charm. And it’s at the heart of cottage garden style, now sometimes called ‘cottagecore’.But finding the right recycled garden materials, furniture or pots isn’t always easy. By definition, these are not things you can just buy from a named retailer, who will deliver to your door in days.So this post will help unlock the secrets of creating a beautiful but practical recycled garden.Where can I find lovely vintage or recycled garden furniture and pots?Probably the biggest complaint I hear about buying vintage and recycled goods is people saying ‘I can never find what I’m looking for.’When you buy new, you go into a shop or online and search for a ‘garden bench’. You’ll see several garden benches in the store. And lots of garden benches will pop up online. There’s a good chance that you’ll see one you like. You order it and it’ll be delivered to your home.But if you go into a salvage yard or charity/thrift shop looking for a garden bench, you’re unlikely to find it the first time you go. Even if you go to the big online auction houses, such as eBay and Gumtree, you won’t find your perfect garden bench just by looking up ‘bench’ a couple of times.Get to know classic and vintage garden furniture styles. You’ll find out what you do and don’t like, and be able to spot bargains more quickly. Top is a metal bench at Doddington Place Gardens and above is a ‘Lutyens’ bench at Gravetye Manor Hotel.When I searched online for ‘garden bench’, there were one or two beautiful vintage ones – but they were expensive. And the cheap ones were not especially nice.However, if I were to repeat that search regularly, I’d have a better chance of finding what I’m looking for.Buying vintage and recycled garden furniture and pots is a long game.  All the top second-hand shoppers I know go into their local thrift or charity shops on a regular basis. They visit architectural salvage yards just to see what’s new.So identify online auctions that deliver to your area. Set up an alert for the item you want. Start with Gumtree, eBay and PreLoved.Then look for local architectural salvage yards or exchange sites.Look up charities near you that sell second-hand furniture. These include Habitat ReStore, which operates in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe and Asia. And the Salvation Army operates in 133 countries and has some larger centres selling second-hand furniture. In Europe and the UK,  there is Emmaus. Plus there are always local charities near you.Don’t forget to factor in the costs of transporting items. You may not be able to fit anything large or heavy into an ordinary car.And don’t forget to donate unwanted items to a charity if you’re clearing a house or garden. Some charities provide free pick-up if you are donating items.The insider secrets on finding the best recycled garden itemsThe most important thing is to ‘get your eye in.’ That means getting to know what sort of things you like and what you could do with them.Instead of looking for a particular item, such as a garden bench, start thinking about what you could turn something into.And step one of ‘getting your eye in’ is to look at as many recycled, upcycled and vintage items as possible. The more you see, either in videos or posts like these or in real life, the more you’ll be able to see what you could do with them.Four different ways of upcycling garden pots and planters. clockwise from top left: an old cooking pot re-used; food tins, painted and with the labels stripped off; old dustbins and garbage cans used as larger planters and equipment from a distillery re-purposed as garden planters.  All have a rustic garden charm and would work in cottage gardens.Professional thrifting tipsVisit the thrift shops, second-hand fairs and salvage yards as often as you can.If it’s a fair or a market, get there early. Before it opens if you can.My mother had a second-hand stall in the Portobello Road in the 1970s and 80s. She said that the professionals – the dealers – always arrived before the market was open to help her unpack! They always got the best bargains.Be systematic. Start at one end of the room, yard or row of stalls and go slowly along. Then move methodically back up the row on the other side. Don’t dart about.Let people know you’re up for taking things they don’t want away. Sometimes you’ll see items left in the street or in front gardens. Always ask before taking anything – even if it has been discarded in a skip.Once people know you are interested in second-hand, they’ll often get in touch. Kathy Pickering’s rustic cottage garden is full of ‘finds’ discarded from friends’ gardens.And before you throw anything away, think about what it could be used for. Kathy has used the springs and frame of an old mattress as a trellis.Kathy Pickering turned this sofa frame into a trellis for climbing plants (top) and designer Amanda Grimes designed this recycled show garden for RHS Hampton Court, using flagstones and scaffolding boards to make benches.How to Landscape with Recycled MaterialsWe are all getting much more interested in using recycled landscape materials.Several show gardens have recently featured crushed hardcore or rubble used as a mulch.‘Chelsea Repurposed’ by Cityscapes (top) – a show garden using a crushed concrete and sand mulch. Above is a mulch made from bricks, stones and rubble picked out of the earth from elsewhere in the Walworth Garden. See here for more about the Walworth Garden’s recycled landscaping.If you have a garden in a town or a new-build development, you’ll probably have lots of bits of broken concrete, broken bricks, pebbles or rocks in your earth. You’ll have to pick them out before you can clear it for planting. Instead of taking them to landfills, you can use them as mulch.You can also use this kind of mulch as a basis for dry planting or a gravel garden.At Great Comp Garden in Kent, the owner had to dig lots of ragstone out of the ground to clear it for borders. He found so much that he decided to build ‘ruins’ with it in the garden.He also mounded the ground in one place up to build a ‘ruin’ on top of it. He used discarded washing machines and pieces of old agricultural equipment to get the volume of the mound before covering it all with soil. See more about how he did it in Garden Ruins & Follies.Make the most of what you’ve already gotThere’s an increasing interest in making the most of what you’ve got. If your yard is completely covered in concrete or pavers, then take some of it up to allow more planting. You can make it look more attractive by setting a pattern of brick or stone into it rather than replacing the whole area.Top: Leftover brick, stone and pebbles used to make a pattern. Above: this garden owner filled cracks in the concrete paving with patchwork patterns of tile, brick, stone and pebble rather than replacing the concrete completely.You may also be able to re-use landscape materials discarded from another garden. Tell your landscapers you’d like to use recycled materials if you can. They will usually know of a local depot or they may be able to sell or give you materials from another job.What are the best recycled materials for a garden?The best recycled materials for a garden will be anything that is already in your backyard or which can be transported  easily from nearby.But if you don’t have any second-hand materials nearby, then there is no single ‘best material.’Recycled wood, stone and brick mixed together. Old beams, pallet wood, railway sleepers and scaffolding boards are combined with different bricks in this show garden by Simon Cowell. The recycled materials give it a lovely textured feel.If your aim is to be more eco-friendly, then Oli Haden, head gardener and CEO of the Walworth Garden in London, says that there are two important questions to ask. This applies to both new and recycled materials.The first question is ‘how are you going to fix it into the garden?’ If you’re going to use concrete, then your recycled garden will be less sustainable and eco-friendly.Secondly, how long will it last? Materials that need replacing quickly are expensive – because it costs to replace them.’ The two materials which will need replacing soonest are artificial grass and softwood decking, so if you’re planning in staying somewhere for a long time, avoid those two.Oli says that recycled stone is the best material because it lasts for centuries and doesn’t have to be set into concrete.  However, Oli says you will have to fit the pavers together as closely as possible and add a boundary to hold them in place. This could be wood sleepers or a steel band.Read more about eco-friendly landscaping here. Recycled garden art and decorYou can re-purpose so many things as garden art and decor. Some of them may not last long, but if they were going to be thrown away anyway, you’re giving them another use before you eventually discard them.The garden shows in the UK now feature an increasing number of recycled garden ideas. See recycled RHS Chelsea and some of the show gardens in this RHS Hampton Court round-up.Plumbing pipes and tanks re-purposed for the garden. Top show Mike Long’s show garden featuring re-purposed concrete water ducts (the wide circular pipe), copper piping and taps used in a water feature. Above is Naomi Slade’s show garden featuring old water tanks re-used as ponds/water features. Both such great examples of ‘from trash to treasure!’Top shows broken terracotta pots fitted together and planted up with succulents. (These are called fairy gardens in some places.) Succulents have shallow roots so are happier than most plants in this kind of arrangement. Above is rusted petrol (gas) pump on a show garden by Gardena. Almost anything can be re-used or recycled if you like how it looks!Top: Broken china and shells collected from the beach used as mosaic garden decor and (above) industrial equipment re-purposed as a moongate arbour seat in Pip Probert’s Viewers Garden at BBC Gardeners World LiveRecycled garden border edgingRecycled garden border edging ideas include using strips of old corrugated iron, recycled bricks and scaffolding boards.You can also use wicker for a rustic look, but be aware that it won’t last long.Garden border edging using painted car tyres in Spain and wine bottle edging in Jo Rutherford’s garden on a budget.In the photo above, gardener Jo Rutherford collected wine bottles. She sank them into the earth so that they were approximately half buried. Many people have suggested that these could freeze and break in winter. So far they haven’t, but Jo is based in Whitstable, a coastal town with mild winters.Car tyre edging also has its issues. Car tyres slowly leach chemicals over a number of years. They’re not advised for vegetable growing, although the process is very slow.If you’re using wooden sleepers or scaffolding boards, try to avoid those that are treated with tar or creosote. They’ll look darker than untreated wood. Tar and creosote also leach chemicals into the soil, although if they are old, it may already have worn off.Some sleepers and scaffolding boards are tanalised, which is considered safe for use in gardens.From trash to treasure – pots and plantersPlants will grow in any kind of container.Plants will grow in anything – the top shows two pots hanging from some old plumbing pipes and the photo above is a rusted dustpan turned upside down for cyclamen.So there are only two things you need to know about re-purposing things as pots and planters.Firstly, you must have drainage. If water sits at the bottom of a pot, the roots of the plant will rot. You can drill holes in wood and metal, but china and stone are more problematic.Secondly, most plants need room for their roots to grow. The size of the pot you need depends on the plant – for example, succulents can grow in very shallow containers.However, larger plants need a pot that’s at least roughly half the height of the fully grown plant.In terms of width, go for a pot that is just an inch or so wider than the root ball. If the plant is still young, you may have to re-pot it several times as it grows.Make sure your re-purposed pots will survive your wintersAnd in terms of outdoor planters, you need to choose a material that will survive your winters.This chest of drawers is planted up as a fun item by garden designer Mark Lane (top). The picture above shows old olive tins used as planters – note how the whole plant is just a bit bigger than the size of the tin.Beyond that, you can use almost anything for a planter. Garden designer and BBC Gardeners World presenter Frances Tophill says she has used an old washing machine drum in the past.People have used drawers (although wood will rot quickly), agricultural troughs, old laundry bins and food tins, watering cans that no longer hold water, rusted wheelbarrows and all kinds of industrial equipment such as oak casks from distilleries to water tanks.From office to backyard? Re-purposing indoor furnitureWhen you’re looking for second-hand furniture, don’t forget to check sales of old office furniture or shop-fittings. Very often these will be made of durable materials that will last outside, such as metal.Look at shop and office equipment as well as indoor furniture, provided that it’s made of waterproof material. The top photos show a widely available style of dining or cafe chair in metal, so it can used outside. The table and mannequin in the photo above were both bought from a shop that was shutting down.Composting – the ultimate recyclingThe more you can recycle and compost the waste material from your kitchen and garden, the better. You’ll be returning nutrients to the earth and saving on trips to the dump. And you will save some – although not all – of the costs of buying new mulch.However, you do need some space to compost unless you are using, for example, a Hotbin, which breaks down waste material fast.The essential thing to know is that there is fast compost and there is easy compost. Unless you are using something like a Hotbin, there is no fast, easy compost.With easy compost you need at least three bin areas. Add vegetable and fruit kitchen scraps, but not meat, fish or cooked food. Add clippings and pruning from the garden. If you cut them up, they will biodegrade faster.With fast compost, you may need more bin areas. You need to pay attention to the mix of ‘brown’ and ‘green’ elements. You will turn the compost at least once a week. It’s not difficult but it does need management.Fast compost breaks down over a few months, so it should give you more compost. Easy compost can take a year to eighteen months. I do easy compost (see here) and speed it up with a compost accelerator such as Garotta or Envii. (note, these are affiliate links, see disclosure)Compost breaks down, so a huge pile of garden clippings turns into quite a small layer of mulch. This means that very few gardens ever make enough compost to completely cover their garden beds. But at least you’ll save some money on it!Pin to remember recycled garden ideasAnd do join us. Sign up here for a free weekly email with more gardening tips, ideas and inspiration. Source link

[mineursworld]

Buy Antminer S17 Online

In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency mining, choosing the right hardware can dramatically impact your profitability and efficiency. Among the myriad of mining machines available, the Antminer S17 stands out due to its robust performance. If you are considering diving into the world of mining, this comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to know about buying the Antminer S17 online.

Introduction

Cryptocurrency mining has gained significant momentum over the past decade, influencing the financial landscape across the globe. As the demand for various cryptocurrencies peaks, so does the necessity for competent mining hardware. The Antminer S17, developed by Bitmain, is one of the most popular ASIC miners on the market today. This guide focuses on how to effectively purchase the Antminer S17 online, optimizing your search for the best deal while ensuring you acquire a legitimate product. We will delve into features, pricing, where to buy, comparisons with other models, and tips for enhancing your mining operation.

Understanding the Antminer S17

What is the Antminer S17? The Antminer S17 is an ASIC miner designed specifically for Bitcoin mining. Operating with the SHA-256 algorithm, it has become a favored choice for miners looking to maximize efficiency and profitability. Here are some key specifications: - Hash Rate: The Antminer S17 offers a hash rate of up to 50 TH/s, allowing miners to process transactions and secure the network significantly faster than previous models. - Power Consumption: With a power consumption of around 2200W, it is critical to have adequate power supply and cooling systems in place. - Efficiency: The miner’s efficiency is approximately 45 J/TH, making it one of the most efficient models of its time. - Cooling: Comes equipped with dual fans for efficient cooling and to maintain optimal operating temperature. Advantages of the Antminer S17 - High Efficiency: The S17 leverages advanced technology to ensure that it consumes less power while maximizing the hash rate. - Durable Build: Designed to withstand rigorous operations, the S17’s build quality ensures longevity. - Support: Being a product from Bitmain, the S17 benefits from extensive community support and product documentation.

Why You Should Buy Antminer S17 Online

Purchasing an Antminer S17 online offers numerous advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar stores: - Broader Selection: Online platforms provide a wider array of options, allowing you to compare prices and models easily. - User Reviews: Access to user feedback and reviews can guide your decision-making process. - Price Comparison Tools: Numerous online tools allow users to compare prices quickly, ensuring you get the best deal. - Convenience: The ability to buy from your own home makes shopping for mining equipment significantly more comfortable.

Where to Buy Antminer S17 Online

E-commerce Websites - Amazon: While the availability of Antminer S17 can be inconsistent due to demand, Amazon frequently has listings for new and used units. - eBay: A good platform for finding both new and second-hand Antminers. Always check seller ratings and reviews to avoid scams. - Specialized Mining Hardware Stores: Websites like Mineurs World specialize in mining equipment and often provide competitive pricing and expert advice. Manufacturer Websites The most reliable option is purchasing directly from the manufacturer. Bitmain's website sells Antminer S17 units and typically offers the latest models directly to consumers. Cryptocurrency Forums Forums and marketplaces, such as Reddit, can provide access to community members selling their equipment. However, exercise caution to avoid scams.

Comparing Different Models

Antminer S17 vs. Antminer S19 - Hash Rate: The S19 has significantly higher hash rates (up to 110 TH/s), but the S17 is more accessible for small-scale miners. - Price: The S17 is generally less expensive compared to the S19, making it a more budget-friendly option. - Power Consumption: Both machines have similar consumption rates, but the S19 is more efficient regarding performance per watt. Antminer S17 vs. Whatsminer M20S - Hash Rate: The Whatsminer M20S offers a comparable hash rate but often at a lower price point. - Performance: The S17 is known for its durability, while the M20S might be a more attractive option for those looking for value. Phone farming

Pricing Trends for Antminer S17

The price of the Antminer S17 can fluctuate significantly based on market demand, availability, and the price of Bitcoin. Currently, prices can range from $2,000 to $3,500, depending on conditions. To stay competitive, consider these strategies: - Timing Your Purchase: The prices of mining equipment tend to rise with an increase in Bitcoin value. - Buying Used Units: A second-hand S17 could be substantially cheaper while often offering similar performance.

Assessing Legitimate Sellers

When buying an Antminer S17 online, it's crucial to ensure that you are purchasing from a reputable and trustworthy source. Here are some signs to look for: - Secure Website: Check for HTTPS in the URL and verify that the site is well-designed and professional. - Customer Reviews: Look for user reviews and testimonials to gauge the seller's reputation. - Return Policy: Legitimate sellers should have a clear return policy in case of issues with the equipment. - Customer Support: Availability of support for troubleshooting and inquiries is a major plus.

Optimizing Your Purchase

Researching Pricing Utilize price comparison websites and cryptocurrency forums to track price trends over time. Factors like supply chain disruptions, Bitcoin price changes, and seasonal demands affect prices. Understanding Shipping Costs Factor in shipping costs when buying the Antminer S17 online. Depending on your location, international shipping can add to the overall cost. Warranty and Support Invest in a device that comes with a warranty. This can save you money and hassle in case of hardware failure.

Setting Up Your Antminer S17

Once you have procured your Antminer S17, setting it up effectively is the next critical step. Step-by-Step Guide to Setup - Unboxing and Inspection: Ensure all components are included and check for any physical damage. - Connecting to Power Supply: Use the appropriate power supply unit (PSU) to connect your miner. - Network Configuration: Connect your Antminer S17 to your network via Ethernet; ensure a stable internet connection. - Mining Pool Configuration: Join a mining pool to combine your hashing power. Input your pool's URL and your wallet address into the Antminer’s default settings. Monitoring Your Miner Use monitoring tools and software applications to track the performance of your Antminer S17. Look out for metrics like hash rate, temperature, and power consumption to optimize performance.

Enhancing Your Mining Efficiency

To maximize the potential of your Antminer S17, consider implementing the following strategies: - Optimal Cooling Solutions: Use additional cooling solutions to maintain ideal operating temperatures. - Regular Maintenance: Keep your hardware clean and free from dust to prolong its operational lifespan. - Power Optimization: Schedule your mining to align with lower electricity costs if your provider has variable pricing.

Staying Updated with Mining Trends

The cryptocurrency landscape is dynamic, and staying abreast of the latest developments is crucial for mining profitability. Follow reputable news sites, forums, and industry reports.

Conclusion

Investing in the Antminer S17 is a pivotal decision for anyone serious about cryptocurrency mining. With the ability to buy the Antminer S17 online, this guide has provided a comprehensive roadmap to navigate your purchasing journey—from understanding its advantages to configuring your new device effectively. As the cryptocurrency world continues to expand, keeping informed and adapting your strategies will position you to achieve greater success in your mining endeavors. Consider your options wisely, select a reliable seller, and embark on maximizing your profitability with the Antminer S17.

Final Thoughts

As you embark on your journey to buy an Antminer S17 online, remember that thorough research and strategic buying can greatly enhance your mining experience. The world of cryptocurrency mining is rife with opportunities; being prepared and informed will enable you to seize them effectively. Read the full article

[willpaul229]

The History of Auctions : From Traditional Bidding to Modern Trends

Minnesota’s auction history dates back to the early 19th century when settlers gathered to trade surplus goods, livestock, and other essentials. These auctions were simple yet effective, held in community spaces like town halls, barns, and public markets. Farmers, craftsmen, and merchants would gather to sell and exchange items, fostering local economies and encouraging trade. Alongside these, liquidation auctions also became popular, where businesses would sell off surplus inventory, equipment, or assets quickly to clear out stock and recover funds.

The Rise of Auction Houses

As societies developed and economies grew, the auction industry evolved. In the 17th and 18th centuries, auction houses began to establish themselves as prominent players in the sale of luxury items, antiques, and art. Places like Sotheby’s and Christie’s became well-known auction houses that specialized in high-end goods, including rare collectibles, fine jewelry, artwork, and valuable antiques. These auctions attracted wealthy buyers and collectors, creating a prestigious reputation for the auction industry. Auctions became an integral part of the cultural and economic landscape, facilitating the exchange of valuable items on a global scale.

Traditional Bidding: Live Auctions

For centuries, the most common form of auctioning was live, in-person bidding. These auctions often took place in physical locations such as community centers, auction halls, or even barns, where bidders would gather to participate in real-time bidding. Auctioneers would present items for sale, describing them in detail, and the bidding process would unfold through verbal offers. The excitement of live bidding, combined with the communal atmosphere, made auctions a popular event for buyers looking to engage directly with sellers and other bidders.

The Impact of Technology on Auctions

With the advent of the internet, auctions underwent a significant transformation in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The rise of online auction platforms such as eBay, Amazon Auctions, and other specialized sites brought convenience and global accessibility to the auction process. Online auctions allowed buyers to participate from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for physical presence. This shift democratized the auction industry, enabling both small buyers and large collectors to engage in bidding without geographic limitations.

Modern Trends in Auctions

Today, auctions have evolved beyond traditional live bidding and online platforms. Hybrid auctions have become increasingly popular, combining the best of both worlds by offering live events alongside online bidding options. Buyers can now attend auctions either in person or virtually, creating flexibility and reaching a broader audience. Additionally, specialized auctions have emerged, such as charity auctions, estate sales, real estate auctions, and niche market auctions focused on specific items like art, antiques, and collectibles.

Another notable trend is the growing interest in digital collectibles, such as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), which have transformed the concept of auctioning into the virtual realm. These blockchain-based items, including digital art, virtual real estate, and limited-edition virtual assets, have become highly sought after in the online auction space.

Conclusion

The history of auctions is a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. From traditional in-person bidding to the global reach of online auctions and the rise of digital collectibles, auctions have continuously evolved to meet changing consumer needs. Today, auctions remain a dynamic marketplace, offering buyers and sellers alike the chance to acquire unique items, engage with communities, and experience the thrill of competitive bidding whether in-person, online, or through digital platforms.

[billconrad]

My Writing Space

    I recently came across an article describing the perfect writing space. In summary: “Sit in a giant fluffy bean bag with pen in hand.” Lying in a cozy spot only makes me want to fall asleep, so I thought it would be fun to describe my writing space and schedule.

    Writing is a right-brain (creative) activity. These mental tools focus on social situations, nuance, and bringing imagination to words. I have learned the hard way that forcing myself to write only leads to disaster. Yet, I have seen people writing in Starbucks. So, there is room for alternative approaches.

    At the beginning of my writing adventure, I had a plan regarding my writing place. It begins with a plain particle board desk from Ikea. It is clean and faces a window with closed blinds. On my desk are a few pens, Post-its, and only one trinket, a silly air quality detector. Yes, I am a geek. On the left side is a paper scanner, and on the right is my computer. In front are three identical monitors. The left is positioned portrait, center landscape, and right portrait. I write on the left, do automated (Grammarly) editing on the center, and copy/paste on the right. When I purchased the monitors, they had the highest contrast, which would reduce eye strain.

    My computer is eight years old, but it was a powerhouse when I purchased it. Today, it still runs the latest operating system with the latest updates. When it becomes too bogged down, unreliable, or will not run the latest OS, I will upgrade. From a writing perspective, the keyboard is the most crucial part of my computer. It is a Unicomp that uses the same buckling-spring technology that IBM invented for their keyboards in the early 70s. Each key makes a loud ping/click noise when I type, which provides audio feedback. As a result, I type fewer errors. My mouse is a Logitech Trackman Marble, and they stopped producing them in the 2000s, so I must purchase them on eBay. This pointing device reduces hand strain and provides good finger feedback. I have mapped the center button to paste.

    I only installed the essential programs and kept them updated. This includes Word, Excel, Visio, Corel Draw, Outlook, Firefox (my primary browser), Edge (for one website that will not work on Firefox), Rocketcake (my website developer program), and Acrobat Professional. I do not install free programs or shareware because I do not want to risk stability or data loss. When I need to run something nonstandard, I use an old computer. Overall, I would describe my computer as 100% utility. My computer is not a gamer, workstation, or business desktop.

    Since I began writing, I have had three office chairs. The first one was free from a company going out of business. It was comfortable, but it fell apart after two years. I paid $$$ for the second one, and while comfortable, it only lasted for a year and left hundreds of black fake leather bits everywhere. I am still finding them four years later. True Innovations made my present office chair; I purchased it at Costco. It has grey vinyl and adjusts well to my posture. I find it solid, and it does not squeak. I anticipate it will last a few years, but there was a mistake. I should have purchased three.

    To me, writing is all business, but where is the joy? The joy comes from creating the words; the space supports this activity, so my space does not have clutter or frills. But where is the inspiration? When I turn to my right, I have a bookshelf loaded with personal memories, including family pictures and random stuff. This junk includes old test equipment, a professional video camera, ceramics made by my father, and a few record albums. I sometimes turn to this shelf for a distraction when I get stuck.

    Writing is my third priority, the first being my family and the second being my full-time job. Still, I treat writing as a profession and try to reserve at least three hours per day on weekdays and two on weekends. My best writing is in the morning and early afternoon, but my job makes this problematic, so I write late.

    The biggest disrupter of my creativity is YouTube. Yet, it is the perfect distraction to free my mind when I get stuck—a strange double-edged sword. What I need to do is set a distraction time limit. Yeah, I will work on that.

    What do I watch? Politics, tractor repair (I have no idea why this fascinates me. My yard is 5x10 feet, and I will never own a tractor.), old computers, China, Ukraine, machining, and electronics. I do not watch videos about writing, entertainment, or other creative outlets.

    That is how my bonkers mind creates what you have been reading. What advice do I have for other writers? Writing is like any other activity. To be good at it, one must take a high-level view with a goal in mind. This means asking questions, recording data, doing experiments, changing bad behavior, listening, researching, trying new things, and being dedicated. It has taken a long time to figure out what works for me, and it should be no surprise that other writers have come to different conclusions. A good example is George R. R. Martin, author of Game of Thrones, who uses a DOS computer with WordStar 4.0. Yikes! Yet, he created an outstanding work.

    Hmm. Perhaps I should do an eBay search for WordStar 4.0.

    You’re the best -Bill

    December 10, 2024

    Hey, book lovers, I published four. Please check them out:

   Interviewing Immortality. A dramatic first-person psychological thriller that weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-confrontation.

    Pushed to the Edge of Survival. A drama, romance, and science fiction story about two unlikely people surviving a shipwreck and living with the consequences.

    Cable Ties. A slow-burn political thriller that reflects the realities of modern intelligence, law enforcement, department cooperation, and international politics.

    Saving Immortality. Continuing in the first-person psychological thriller genre, James Kimble searches for his former captor to answer his life’s questions.

    These books are available in softcover on Amazon and in eBook format everywhere.

[vovatess6]

Vova Tess: The Young E-Commerce Trailblazer

Early Beginnings

Vova’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 10 years old. With a keen eye for opportunity, he started selling his old video games and sneakers online through eBay. This initial venture wasn’t just a way to declutter his home; it was the spark that ignited his passion for business. Making hundreds of dollars from items he no longer used was not just impressive for a child; it was a pivotal moment that showcased the potential of online entrepreneurship.

As he delved deeper into the world of e-commerce, Vova quickly realized that the internet was a vast marketplace filled with opportunities. He began selling anything he could find around the house, and this enterprising spirit allowed him to accumulate his first $1,000 online. This early success served as a strong foundation, motivating him to explore more avenues within the e-commerce space.

Embracing the Digital Landscape

Vova Tess stands out not only for his financial achievements but also for his understanding of the digital landscape. At a young age, he recognized the immense advantages of leveraging social media to reach broader audiences. By building his brand online, he has cultivated a substantial following that resonates with young aspiring entrepreneurs and their parents alike.

Through engaging content, Vova shares his insights on e-commerce strategies, personal branding, and the mindset required for success. His ability to connect with his audience sets him apart as a relatable figure in the entrepreneurial world, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

A Multi-Faceted Entrepreneur

What sets Vova apart is not just his success in selling products online, but his holistic approach to entrepreneurship. He has diversified his endeavors, exploring various niches and continuously learning about market trends. As a social media influencer, Vova uses his platform to educate others, offering tips and strategies that can help budding entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of the online marketplace.

The Future of Vova Tess

As Vova Tess continues to grow his brand, his future looks incredibly bright. With the lessons learned from his early ventures and his proactive approach to business, he is well-equipped to tackle new challenges and explore innovative opportunities. His journey serves as a reminder that with determination, creativity, and a willingness to learn, anyone can achieve remarkable success — regardless of age.

In conclusion, Vova Tess is not just a young entrepreneur; he is a trailblazer redefining what it means to succeed in the digital era. His story encourages young individuals everywhere to harness the power of the internet and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. With each step forward, Vova continues to inspire the next generation of innovators, proving that the future of entrepreneurship is indeed bright.

[musicinsurancecompany]

Need Insurance for Appraisers in the Evolving Online Domain

The internet has thoroughly changed how we do things - from shopping, trading, researching, etc. And the world of musical instruments is no different. The opening of online shops and the invention of special devices that check if things are real. It has made buying, selling, and knowing the value of equipment much different. This blog will talk about how these new technologies have affected the domain of musical instrument appraisal.

The Digital Revolution in Musical Instrument Appraisal

One of the most substantial impacts of online marketplaces is the increased accessibility and transparency they provide to both buyers and sellers. It brings more clarity to the entire process. Previously, it was daunting to find a reputed dealer or auction house to buy and sell a piece of musical instrument. However, with the rise of e-commerce platforms, including Reverb, eBay, and Amazon, people can connect with a worldwide network of sellers and buyers sitting in the comforts of their homes. This has democratized the market, making it easier for people to find rare or unique instruments previously difficult to obtain. Undoubtedly, it has transformed the world of musical instrument appraisers, necessitating the need to buy insurance for appraisers without fail.

Furthermore, online marketplaces have also made it easier for appraisers to conduct their research. Now, they can access the database of sold instruments and gain valuable insights into market trends, fluctuations in prices, and the overall worth of specific models and their variants. They use this information to provide more precise and informed assessments to their clients. Additionally, online platforms often have built-in features that allow buyers and sellers to upload images and descriptions of their instruments. It makes things easier for appraisers and they can assess the instrument's condition and identify any potential issues smoothly and accurately.

However, apart from the perks, the rise of the online front has also presented new challenges for appraisers. Do you know the primary concern? It is the upsurge of fake instruments. Yes! With the ease of manufacturing and delivery of goods across borders, it has become increasingly difficult to differentiate between genuine and counterfeit instruments. Appraisers must now be equipped with advanced techniques and knowledge to detect forgeries and protect their clients from purchasing counterfeit goods. Also, they should not ignore the importance of insurance for appraisers no matter what.

Another thing to add here is the creation of digital authentication tools. These have also played a significant role in transforming the landscape of musical instrument appraisal. These tools mostly use advanced technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) and blockchain, which can help verify the genuineness of instruments and track their origin. Here is an example. Some gears are now equipped with unique identifiers or digital certificates. You can verify them online. It can provide buyers and sellers with added confidence in the authenticity and value of a tool.

However, there is a catch here just like the two sides of a coin. The use of digital authentication tools is good, but it also increases worries about privacy and security. There is likely to be a risk that personal information about instrument owners could be compromised. Also, there is the potential for hackers to exploit digital records. As such, it is essential for appraisers to be aware of the potential risks and to ensure that any digital authentication tools they use are secure and reliable.

To Conclude

Last but not least, the evolution of online marketplaces and digital authentication tools has significantly changed the geography of musical instrument appraisal. While these advancements have brought numerous benefits, such as increased accessibility and transparency, they have also introduced new challenges, such as the proliferation of counterfeit instruments and concerns about privacy and security. Appraisers must learn to adapt to these changes. They can do it by staying informed about emerging technologies and cultivating the skills necessary to handle the digital marketplace.