Winning tip: Keep those doors open

My work-shed doors are spring loaded to help keep them closed. The problem was keeping them open when I was moving a mower or tiller in and out. I buried a 24-inch length of 1½-inch-diameter PVC pipe next to each side of the ramp. Now all I do is drop a 1-inch-square stake into one of the pipes and the door remains open. When I’m done, I pull the stake and the door shuts.

—Tom Porter, Belchertown, Massachusetts

From damaged lantern to hanging planter

I volunteer at my local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which sends any metal that can’t be sold to a recycling center. One day as I was going in the back door, I spotted an elaborate copper lantern sitting on top of the recycling container. One of the store employees told me that it had come in with many other things and been accepted with them as a lot. The damaged lantern had obviously fallen from where it had hung. I pulled it out and bought it. After straightening the bent areas, I bought a chain and a mandevilla plant. With the aid of a Velcro hanger—so no damage is done to the tree—it now hangs from a limb on a cherry tree.

—Paul Brothe, Newburgh, New York

Potted plants, rise up!

You know those risers that are made of tough plastic that parents buy for their kids’ dorm beds to give a little extra height for storage underneath? They also make great risers in large cachepots for dummy planting. I have plants that live in very nice plastic liner pots because their cachepots are simply too heavy and I would never be able to move them. For example, I use an antique crock for an indoor potted palm. But I like to give the palm a shower once in a while during the winter, and having the liner raised makes lifting it out of the crock much easier.

—Carla Z. Mudry, Malvern, Pennsylvania

Enjoy now, move later

Orange 1-inch flagging tape has become a useful tool when I relocate herbaceous perennials in the fall. I have a variety and abundance of daylilies. When they bloom in spring and summer, I see that some would look better in other places in my garden due to color, size, fragrance, and charm. But because they are blooming, I don’t want to disturb them. I tag them with the tape, noting with a permanent marker where they would look better in my garden. I enjoy their beautiful summer blooms undisturbed and then safely move them in the fall. This way I don’t have to rely on my memory to get it right.

—Pam Morgan, Monroe, North Carolina

Efficient container watering

I am from Maine, where water was abundant, but now I live in Georgia, where recent droughts have reinforced the need for water-saving practices. Now when I water my many containers, hanging or fixed, I place them on top of a 5-gallon bucket. I give the plants a good drink, and any excess water drains into the bucket. It’s amazing how much of this precious resource can be collected this way and reused on another needy plant. Every drop counts!

—Kate Coker, McDonough, Georgia

From Fine Gardening #201

Photos: courtesy of the contributors

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

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High Quality Fabric - Gardzen Garden Waste Bags are made from 4.4oz/yd2 (150g/㎡) durable polypropylene fabric that can withstand heavy loads and rough handling. Please note that they should not be left out in the sun for long periods. Environmentally Friendly - These reusable yard waste bags are an environmentally friendly choice as they can be used over and over again, unlike disposable bags. The strong handles make it easy to carry the bags, even when they are full. These garden bags for debris allow you to complete your gardening tasks efficiently and effectively, while minimising waste and promoting sustainability. Large Capacity - With a height of 30 inches and a diameter of 26 inches, there is plenty of room for a large amount of garden waste. Whether it's leaves, branches or grass clippings, these yard waste containers can handle it all. A Must-Have For Gardeners - these leaf bags are an essential tool for managing garden waste and can make your gardening tasks much more efficient. The large capacity and durable construction make them ideal for storing and transporting various items. The yard bags can also be folded and stored compactly when not needed, saving valuable space. Package Included - A great value set of 3pcs heavy duty lawn and leaf bags. 3pcs white plastic hoops. There are 2pcs double stitched webbing handles in the top and 1pc strong webbing corner handles in the bottom.

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Ashman Garden Cultivator (1Pack)

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Solid Build—The Ashman Garden Cultivator/Tiller is strong in construction so that it can withstand heavy work in the garden. The blade and the shaft are coupled well for deep digging and uprooting the soil from the depths. It serves the purpose of cultivation very well. Create a blooming crop and watch it blossom and reap the benefits. Sharpened Fine piercing Blade—The blades are razor sharp and are made to pierce into any kind of soil and to serve digging, loosening soil, and weeding. The blades are rust-proof and have chip-resistant coating enhancing durability. Use it to control weeds, bury crop residue in the soil, and for preparing a proper seed bed. High-Quality Design—The thoughtful design incorporated to shape the blades in L shape helps dig deep into the soil and rip it from beneath for cultivation. This helps a lot when weeding. Dig well and plant well. The handle is made to fit in the hand well and can be held tightly to apply push and pull forces effectively. Practical Utility—The garden cultivator is made with “practical utility” as the core of its purpose. It serves all the necessary purposes when gardening. Helps mix soil, which will loosen it up, providing more nutrients for the crops.

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Corona® Multi-Purpose Metal Mini Garden Shovel

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Longer Service Life: The blade of this round small shovel is made of carbon steel, which can effectively improve the hardness by high temperature quenching, and the surface has anti-rust coating to avoid rusting. In the process of use when encountering hard objects will not bend and deformation. Sturdy Structure: The small garden shovel with D-handle, ergonomically designed grip can increase the grip of the hand when using, the handle is made of strong fiberglass, will not bend and break under heavy pressure. Quick Digging: Well-made digging shovel has a sharp blade, and the round shovel head is designed to easily penetrate the soil and cut quickly while digging to enhance your work efficiency.

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