Don't you just love it when you come across some perfectly good garden item that someone's disposing of? It's almost as good as winning the lotto...well, almost. Okay, here's the scoop on these 3 plant conainers and a piece of ornate metal...I have a weakness for ornate metal pieces.
I took a different road leading to my home one afternoon...minding my own business...when I noticed two pots (with dead and live plants still in them) sitting out by the road for garbage pickup. Yes, garbage pickup. :-( And, while I'm not one of those people who goes through other people's trash...I have enough of my own...I have been known to brake for worthwhile garden items, as I previously confessed in Thou Shalt Steal.
I slowed down to look...drove on by...then quickly decided to turn around and check them out again. I didn't like the idea of being seen putting someone's trash into the back of my SUV, but these pots looked too good to pass up. And, I hated to see them end up in the dump. Soooo, I drove home...grabbed a plastic bag (to put the dead plant in)...drove back and quickly loaded up my "found objects." By the way, the dead tree had 2 1/2 foot roots growing out the bottom of the pot...it was impossible to pull it out, so I ended up taking the dead plant, too. Shhhh, don't tell anyone about that.
When I got home I noticed there was a third pot inside one of the large ones. I also found the ornate metal piece...which is broken...but hey, I can find some use for it in the garden. Did I mention that I love ornate metal pieces? :-) I was delighted beyond belief with my "found objects." They are in great condition...a little cleaning is needed...but otherwise, they're fabulous finds and certainly not inexpensive. The larger pots are probably worth $30 each (maybe more) and the smaller one...well, at least $15. That's $75 worth of flower pots....WOW...now I'm even more excited.
I gave them a good scrub with a little bleach and water, and look how beautiful they are.
I, especially love the smaller terracotta pot. It has a very pretty design and the shape of the pot is like no other that I have.
As I looked around at my own pots, I realized how many different shapes, designs, and colors they come in. And, how beautiful each pot is, in it's own right.
I like to find unique looking pottery for a low price. That pretty pot in the upper left corner is from Big Lots. I have many from there because they are priced so well. Terracotta pots look best when they have an aged look to them...like the strawberry jar in the upper right corner.
Terracotta pots have a vareity of great designs on them. Two of my favorites are shown above...upper right corner and lower left corner. And, who doesn't want one of those pots that sits on its side (upper center photo). They're great for trailing plants that softly overflow from the pot.
I'm thrilled with my new pots, and always open to divine guidance leading me to future "found objects." And by the way, in case you're reading this post Mrs. T (did I mention that I know the owner of these pots? She was my daughter's second grade teacher.), next time you're throwing away garden items.....pleeaaasssseee, call me! :-)
I guess the old saying (which I modified) is true..."One woman's trash is another woman's treasure!"
15 comments:
Susan: I would say for a gardener, that is second best to winning a lotto!!! How lucy you are to find these three beautiful pots. I would have done the exact same thing if I spot them on the road. I think they worth more than $100 total. They could be quite expensive especially if they have beautiful textures on it like what you have found. Congratulations! You have given them the second life!
What a score! I can't believe what people throw away, at least put a free sign on them!
Jackpot!! If I could be so lucky!!!!
Wow Susan, that's a quite a haul. Those are very nice pots. Another blogger was showing some plants she found in someone's trash. I have got to do some drive-bys in my neighborhood on trash day.
A thumbs up for you for the trash save. The planters can get lots more use cleaned up and reused by you than they would in the trash dump. You just saved them from being wasted. Good for you!
I'm totally drooling!!! Lucky you.
Jackpot! Or is it flowerpot?
Who would throw away such beauties?!! I like your lovely container collection.
Great finds, Susan. As I've posted many times, I'm fortunate to find many plants, pots, etc. in curbside garbage piles. I used to be shy about it, but I'm not anymore. I've found some amazing plants! Your pots are especially great finds and they cleaned up beautifully! Your pot collection is also really nice.
Ami...I do feel lucky to have come across them. I saw some similar pots in an ad for Lowe's today and they were advertised at $40 each. So, they probably all did cost closer to $100.
Mom Taxi Julie...Welcome! It is a shame to throw away items that are still useful and in good condition. I look forward to visiting your blog. Thanks for commenting.
Darla...Keep your eyes open on garbage day, and maybe you will be. Now that you mention it...I have been lucky lately...won an orchid book in December, fertilizer from a local nursery last week and now these pots...I really need to play the lotto! :-)
Kay...You betcha - keep your eyes open. I wouldn't be surprised if you see more frozen plants in their pots by the side of the road.
Sanddune...It makes me think of all the other great items that end up in the dump...things that other people would be delighted to have.
Dani...I do feel very lucky and happy, too! :-)
Rainforest Gardener...LOL, that's cute!
Floridagirl...I don't know, but I wouldn't mind finding more goodies.
Kimberly...I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one. Glad you liked my collection. A gardener can NEVER have too many pots.
Really nice, Susan. How very fun and even a bit adventurous to bring home unexpected treasures for the garden that you "found". I enjoyed seeing your container collection, too. I especially like the two in the middle of the first collage.
Meems
Love,love,love those pots! and your post!You did good.
ChrisC
Meems...It definitely is fun to find useful items that are really pretty.
Chris...A gardener can never have too many pots! Glad you enjoyed it.
What a wonderful 'curbside shopped' find! I would have grabbed them also. I love all of your beautiful pots, and they must be a joy to see every day. I've also found plants, among other goodies and brought them home.
FlowerLady
Susan, I love all the pictures of pots. I always look at garage sales. I had a great find last week. I varied my walk one morning and on the curb was a compost bin (which I did not have). Drove by when I got home from work and knocked on the door. No answer. Later we drove over and the lady said that the guys working in their yard left it behind and did not want it. Definitely a great find.
Post a Comment