repurposed stepladder
Until recently, we had a 3-tiered plant stand on the patio. A years old hand-me-down. From someone. Over time, the weather and water took its toll.
We’ve been meaning to get another plant/gardening shelf.
A random thought settled in my brain, when I least expected it: use a step ladder.
I pulled a step ladder from the garage, one that we seldom use. This one is heavy (one of the big reasons that we don’t use it often) and will probably be able to endure some weather exposure. I came up with a plan to hang a couple of flowerpots on it immediately.
The one in the back is made from one of those mesh bags used to pack oranges. You know what I mean? You might have one in your refrigerator right now. It’s fairly sturdy and simple to make. You just need your bag, a little wire, string and a ring for the top.
If the bottom of the bag is open, like mine was, either tie a knot in the bottom or wrap a strand of wire tightly around the netting to secure it. Fold down the top edge several times to form a little cuff. Take a strand of medium weight wire, long enough to pass your flower pot through, and thread the wire through the netting in the cuff to form a big circle. Twist the ends of the wire together. Cut 3 strands of string, loop them through a ring, knot under the ring to secure, then tie the ends in pairs to the cuff wire at 3 points. There. A recycled orange-bag hanging basket.
Oh, but how to attach the hanging basket to the stepladder?
Well, you know those holes in the stepladder that hold hammers and other tools? I put a measuring spoon through that hole.
And attached the ring of my hanging basket to the bottom end of the measuring spoon with a small S hook.
See? I knew there was another way to make use of some of the 43 measuring spoons in the kitchen drawer.
Just one more way to repurpose a ladder, a measuring spoon and recycle an orange bag! All in 30 minutes. Thank you for reading, I love getting new ideas from bloggers and hope that I can give back, every once in a while. 🙂
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“Just one more way to repurpose a ladder, a measuring spoon and recycle an orange bag! All in 30 minutes”
Viola!
You continue to awe me with your creativity, Diane!
LOVE IT! Especially your use of the measuring spoon. Ingenious!
Happy Wednesday, my friend!
X to you and C!
Holy Moley, Diane! You think if things that wouldn’t occur to another person on this planet! I have some of those mesh bags~I’m going to have to look twice at them.
Very cool!
Smart thinkin’…I especially love the measuring spoon for a hook…very clever! Laurel
Such a great idea! I’ve been trying to figure out what to use on my patio for veggie pots this summer. I have trouble getting up and down to water and having them higher like this would be perfect. Maybe I’ll hit some re-sale shops for an older wooden model or something. Thanks for sharing!
so cute! i host a garden party on Thursday’s – would love to have you link up & share this post with other gardeners?????? pleeeeeeaaaaaaasssssseeeee??????? xoox, tracie
Miss Smartie Pants! Really….the measuring spoon….the orange bag hanging basket…you are obviously brilliant. We have the smallest back yard ever and this would give me an opportunity to grow a few more pretties! Thank You!
Kim
http://www.kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com
Kim you just made me laugh! Sometimes I think it is the spirit of my frugal father moving through me & making something useful out of just regular old stuff. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This is a really creative and cute way to display your plants. I can think of all kinds of things to do now with my step ladder. Maybe I will cover the steps with pieces of slate that I have been re using around the yard for various things. I think that yours looks great and I would like the mix of terracotta and slate! Maybe a few candles mixed in..Thanks for the great idea.
I love this! I did a ladder garden this week too! I might have to hang a couple pots now too – I’ve already got a stash of orange and onion bags!
LOVE ladders and this is a really cool idea in order to achieve layers of plants. Great idea!
Donna