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Collecting: My vintage garden tools

Collecting vintage garden tools

The era of 1940 through 1950 is precious to many of us because that is the time when our grandmothers, mothers and we, ourselves, grew up.  Have you saved family treasures from this time? Many of us have!  We’ve saved well worn kitchen and garden things that have come down through the family and if not, have begun collections of vintage items from this time.

Here is one such collection from a true Flea Market gardener, Debbie McMurry.

Debbie McMurry’s study in yellow

Debbie McMurry, of Kansas, loves vintage garden tools and has collected some lovely yellow in hand tools,watering cans, sprinklers and an adorable McCoy flower pot.  All seem to come from the 30s- or 40s, an era i particularly like because it reminds me so much of my own Grandma and her kitchen and garden things.

 

Small vintage watering cans

Above, Debbie displays another small collection of vintage watering cans in front of her old wheelbarrow full of red petunias. I love the  time-worn patina they’ve acquired and the pretty flower decals.  These are possibly from the 1940s or 1950’s and were used to water house plants.

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My Daisy garden in old bed head boards

 

My scarecrow gal with sunflowers

 

Petunias in vintage garden carts. Who’s sneaking by?

 

Debbie’s vintage birdhouse and gorgeous clematis

 

Winning watering cans in the garden

Debbie McMurry’s greenhouse

Debbie has won!  If winning means you end up with the most vintage galvanized watering cans and the most charming and really fabulous way to display them.  She simply says, “A few of my vintage galvanized watering cans….fun to collect all sizes and styles.”  I guess so, but this is probably why I can’t find one at the Flea Market!

Thanks, Debbie, for sharing these with us…inspiring!  ~~ Sue

Sue Langley

Sue Langley, a passionate gardener and photographer lives and gardens with her husband and Corgi, Maggie on 7 acres just south of Yosemite, Zone 7 at 3000 feet. She manages the Flea Market Gardening Facebook page and website.

View Comments

  • Tawra@CoolGardenIdeas says:

    I have to say I am starting to collect watering cans and can't wait until my collection is like Debbie's! Wow, those are just great!

    Right now I'm mostly collecting anything galvanized and old windows. :-)

  • Love love love it all!!! I have 3 watering cans...it's a start. I have been on the hunt for a wheelbarrow like hers for a couple years since my son found one for my daughter in law at an auction for $15. I have 3 old ones, but none with the open metal wheel.

  • I love watering cans! Debbie has a wonderful collection.

  • Jeanne Sammons says:

    Debbie's collection is fabulous! Wow! All those watering cans! Great pics & great share, Sue Langley!

  • Julie Brown says:

    I have a small collection of watering cans (less than a dozen). Nice collection Debbie. Great article Sue. :)

  • Wow, what a huge collection of watering cans! I collect them too, but nowhere near as many as Debbie has. Love the way she displays them!
    Debbie :)

  • Shirley Eddinger says:

    I too have a large collection of vintage watering cans! About 26! But, I don't have a great way to display them like Debbie! Her pic is awesome!

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