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9 uses for a rusty old rake in the garden

In praise of … the garden rake!

Our old tools are worth keeping.  Yes, they’ve done a good job all their lives and should be retired in other ways, by honoring them in the garden.  Some tools we keep from our grandparent’s day when things seemed  simpler.  I get a good feeling when I see them.  I like handling things that my Grandma did, too.

Be rakish…

If you have old long handled tools, or when you do  find some at Flea Markets or yard sales, here are some ideas for what to do with rakes. With or without the handle….the best rakish ideas from the gardeners right here on Flea Market Gardening….you!

A hand-painted rake

From, All Nations Trading, Anita Earnest says, “Don’t throw away the rake just because it broke! It can become are really nice flower!”

 

Jeanie Merritt’s rake became a trellis when her Morning Glories went ramblin’

Jeanie Merritt says, “I planted seeds..morning glory seeds…( late in the season, I might add) waited what seemed an eternity to see them sprout, then a “forever” to see them grow and grab ahold of an 8 foot trellis….They did, eventually grow,trail and bloom, but the prettiest sight was this one, when they meandered over a few feet and graced the structure of an old small garden tool turned upside down.. Life is like that. Doesn’t always go in the direction of our well-thought out plans……sometimes better!”

 

Carol Boyd’s rakes seem to wave at you

Carol Boyd shows us, “My garden of old garden tools.”

Rake rack

Sue Langley’s Rake for tools

 

My hand tools hang on an old rake head. This is on my potting shed wall.

 

Caroline Lawson’s rakish bird

Caroline Lawson

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shows a whimsical bird made from a pulley and some rusty old rakes.

Kathy Hardin’s birdhouse holder

Kathy Hardin’s old rake head helps support her bird house….

 

Simple rake hanger

Morning Glory Craft Cottage: The handle on the old rake had long ago broken off, hung it on the trellis my husband had made me for my craft cottage porch with wire and added some old bottles. Now the morning glory vines have grown in and thru it.

 

Flea2Fab’s artist, Sue Gerdes displays a birdhouse on her barn

Sue Gerdes of  Flea2Fab, says, “I made this with a old rake….I tell people that I found it at a tornado site…hee, hee!”

 

The Picket Fence made good use of a wooden rake

The Picket Fence:  “A friend gave me this rake a few days ago & I love it!”

 

Debbie Haer: “The front of my building. Love old rusty tools have them everywhere.”

 

Lesilee Worthing-Tellez’s rakish ‘wreath’

 

Linda Anderson’s pot holder

Will you be rakish?  Yes, be on the lookout and don’t throw one out!  ~~ 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.

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  • Sue Jordan says:

    Sweet article...... picked up another idea!

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