Add Photo to Journal
|
|
| Photo Credit: Janet Rademacher |
| Rusty bedsprings serve as bookends for a great old Chevy grill. Low voltage lights glow from the headlights. |
For many gardeners, the use of salvaged objects as garden art has evolved into a passionate hunt for jewels in the junk pile. Thrifty and creative souls can transform nearly any discarded and unwanted items into unique and eye-catching works of art. An old tire can turn into a fun planter, flattened bottle caps can decorate a birdhouse – the possibilities are endless.
So where can you find the good stuff? Here are a few suggestions: Friends are Forever: Friends are the best source of great junk. Once they know you’ll welcome anything, they’ll drop off old metal radiators, tractor seats, bedsprings, headboards and goodness knows what else. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Janet Rademacher | | This giant-sized bouquet of flowers fashioned from old fans was created by artist Jennie Curé. |
Wildcat Dump Sites: You can probably think of a spot in your local woods or nearby desert where people have created an impromptu dump site. Be on the lookout for anything rusty and intriguing. Old bedsprings, for example, as well as sofa and chair springs, are easy to find and make great trellises. (And they’re free!)
Second-Hand and Antique Stores: Not into dump-diving? For the more squeamish, clean stores that carry antiques and other old items can be a great source of cool garden art, too. (They’re more expensive, but cool nonetheless!) Finding great junk is relativity easy. The biggest challenge is to properly incorporate it into the garden so it looks tasteful instead of tacky. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when finding a home for your fabulous junk/artwork:
|