Not everyone has the ability to think outside the square. Apparently, creative people are more likely than others to have this skill.
Gardeners are creative people, often able to think of different and innovative ways of doing things.
In our younger days, people repaired and recycled many things - mainly because goods were usually better made in the first place and most didn't have the money to buy new things all the time.
They had to make do. I think these days are coming back because people are now much more aware of saving the environment and don't want to waste resources unnecessarily.
Paul and I have lots of recycled stuff in our garden. If anyone we know has an item they're throwing out and we can use it, we ask if we can have it.
We have used things like old casserole dishes for bird water dishes; decorated wrought iron from step railings to grow creepers on; old metal bed ends for climbing roses; small tables and stands to sit pot plants on - both in the house and in the garden; plastic and china plates as decorations on walls and fences (need a hole drilled in them for hanging purposes); plastic pots; and much, much more.
Sometimes a small repair job is needed. Repainting with low gloss water-based paint (to hide imperfections and give colour) and using staking to secure stands can do the trick.
When the item eventually wears out we can really justify throwing it in the trash, knowing it has served us well.
You can also recycle plants by taking cuttings, dividing bulbs and collecting seeds that can be shared with friends.
Some nurseries have a "throw out" table with plants that need rescuing and which are usually cheaply priced. If you know what you are doing, many can be saved.
When we open our garden to the public, people are fascinated by how we have used different items to give the garden a "zing". With a bit of thought, you can too.
