What I don't love, is our current landscaping and garden situation. We have a bit of work ahead of us this year, and I am getting excited to hop in and get dirty. Weeding, planting, digging and gardening. And this current "garden caddy", a.k.a. ceramic planter filled with tools, just isn't going to cut it!
Toting around the planter isn't the safest {could easily slip and break}, and when combined with a huge bag of potting soil in my arms, it is just a recipe for disaster.
So, it was time for a new plan. We dug out an old five gallon bucket...
Filled it was potting soil.
And ordered the cutest little garden apron off of Etsy, which I tied around the bucket.
Seriously, isn't it adorable? I am smitten! And if you have sewing skills, you could totally DIY this at home.
I couldn't wait to fill up all those pockets!
Six large pockets to be exact!
Garden tools, weed picker, sheers, gloves, seeds and flower food... and with room to spare!
I totally adore that I can just toss on the cover and keep this stored in the garage, and the dirt stays nice and fresh. And because it's a bucket with an awesome handle, toting it around the yard from place to place is now a breeze!
Will the apron get a bit dirty? Maybe. But it is washable which is a huge plus.
Who else loves this time of year? Big gardening or landscaping plans in your future? Anyone else have a bucket system like this that they heart like crazy?
What a fantastic idea!!! Love it.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute! What a great idea for the apron.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking of making 2 of these. One for gardening and one for a wrapping station. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun fabrics!
ReplyDeleteI have a challenge for you girlfriend... post a picture of that apron/cover after a season of gardening. :)
Happy dirt digging to you!
xo, Jay
Love this...I even have some of that fabric!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I've been having the same dilemma - we've always done a lot of flowering gardening in the front yard but it's so close to the garage that it wasn't too bad to just grab our supplies as we needed them but this year we're doing a vegetable garden in the back so I need a way to tote our tools around. With as much yard work as we do I'd probably have to do something a little more durable with the fabric - that apron is so cute I'd be sad the first time it got covered in dirt! (Though it's probably outdoor fabric and washable right?) You always have the cutest ideas!
ReplyDeleteI am doing this for my grandma for mother's day! amazing idea THANKS
ReplyDeleteI like this idea a little better than the one I have used in the past. You can find tool liners for 5 gallon buckets at Lowe's, Home Depoty etc but the difference between your design and those is the missing inside flap. I would have never thought to use the inside of the bucket for dirt, I ususlly toss the weeds into the middle to dump in the compost later. The design from the stores won;t allow diret to pur freely our of the bucket or close the lid back up. So, I am likeing your idea better. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable apron! You are like the Oprah of blogging. All you have to do is mention a product and it will fly off the shelf! I'm sure those Ball freezer jars from earlier this week are selling like hot cakes! :) As always, an amazing job! - Heather
ReplyDeleteShe's totally the Oprah of blogging! haha I love this comparison! :)
Delete♥Emily
I bought some jewelry from Shy of Perfect this week. ;-)
DeleteI love this idea. I would have never thought of anything close to this. Thank you for your brilliance!
ReplyDeleteYou are so genius, Jen! What a great way to combine the two items. I need to copy this STAT! :)
ReplyDeleteAWESOME idea! I just went and ordered an apron for myself. How do you keep the apron from slipping down the bucket from the weight of the tools?
ReplyDeleteHi Courtney!
DeleteI tied the apron pretty securely and there is a nice lip at the top of the bucket which prevents it from sliding. :)
xoxo!
Jen
Very clever idea!!!!You are very good!!I love your posts!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I love the apron, such a pretty pattern and colours :)
ReplyDeleteI thought this was made for the the bucket but I see its an actual apron - arent you clever! Like a PP said - how do you keep it from slipping?
ReplyDeleteHi Gina!
DeleteI tied the apron pretty securely and there is a nice lip at the top of the bucket which prevents it from sliding. :)
xoxo!
Jen
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great Mother's Day gift!!!! : )
ReplyDeleteOMG!! GENIUS!
ReplyDeleteThis is way too cute! I've got a whole yard to landscape this summer and this would help me out so much! I'm off to go shop that etsy site. Great project!
ReplyDeleteclearly, you go out into the garden once a year.
ReplyDeletewhat does one lug around a pail of potting soil for? you fill the pots once a season and done? makes no sense. it would be much better to show a useful storage option for the hand held garden tools. Like using a smaller bucket, putting play sand in and adding motor oil. Use that to store hand held garden tools to prevent rust keep them clean and sharp. I'm all for cute, but come on.
Thanks for the tip. I actually do a lot of planters and such throughout the year, plant herbs and and use soil around the yard here and there. I typically try and lug a big bag of potting soil from location to location, this is a better option for me personally, and I just prefer to carry one thing vs. many. I am not a gardening "pro", but this method works for me...
Deletexo,
Jen
I think this is a fantastic idea! There is no reason to be ugly just because you do not agree or because you would not do this....Remember ...if cannot say something nice ...do not say anything at all...wisdom from Thumpers mom in Bambi
DeleteI think this is a great idea however I would also not carry around soil for every job but one person above said how they have something similar and keep it empty to pick up weeds and carry anything extra for the job at hand so there's scope for many things. This blog is not for us to criticise when we don't like its just to take what we do like and to adapt it to our own uses then hopefully share our ideas.
DeleteSo clever and cute! Love it Jen!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cute. I think I would also add a top so I could use it as a stool.
ReplyDeleteOooh, it has a lid on it already - would it be too much if I were to upholster a bucket lid? lol, totally kidding of course...
Deletexoxo!
Jen
Yes! You should upholster it!!! I saw that before - they added batting then upholstery - it can be a seat when you get tired of digging =) Ohhh.... and then post it so we can all see it =)
DeleteI was going to comment below but this is a better place!!! I use a milk crate with a goodwill seath cushion tied on to it! Recover a really ugly one with pretty fabric and add a set of ties at each corner. Tie these to the bottom of your milk crate and use as a stool. Works great to tote along your tools with also. Eat your heart out Martha Stewart!!
Deletevery cute idea! i am having a lot of trouble with the speed of your site, it is SOOO slow, almost to the point of being annoying. I hope you can fix this problem as I love your site, but find I am not checking in as often as I would like because it takes so long to scroll down. Hope you have a solution soon. Thanks for the great ideas!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Sara,
DeleteI have deleted most special add-ons, wish I knew what was causing the lags. It is just a very photo intensive site. I am looking at new hosting options however, so hopefully that will fix things down the line.
xoxo,
Jen
I used to have the same problem but then I tried a different internet browser and it worked perfectly. I was using Internet Explorer and like you said, it was soooo slooow, then I tried Google Chrome and I haven't had any issues since. I've also used Mozilla Firefox and haven't had any issues with that. Just a thought! :) - Heather
DeleteI use Google chrome as well and the site loads up lickety split! Explorer was a whole other bag of worms. lol
DeleteI saw this idea (or something similar) ages ago but had forgotten about it. It is just what I need! I hate dragging that bag of soil around. My kids are always finding a pot somewhere to plant something in. I think the project I saw added velcro to hold the apron on. Can't remember now. Can't wait to do this anyway! (oh, and snipey anonymous, please go and start your own blog and offer up your suggestions so we can all benefit from your overflowing wisdom ..) :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome and would make a great gift! Have to file this away...
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I hate lugging the whole bag of soil around!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jen for sharing your awsome ideas! :) I value them immensely! :)
ReplyDeleteTracy
I think I could make something like that. Except with our black muddy dirt, neither the apron nor the tools would stay that clean for long :)
ReplyDeleteIf you really like it try making it with laminated fabric. There are some really great ones out there on web. I know Fabric.com and Joanns sells it.
DeleteGreat tip! I agree, there may be other fabric choices to make this still a project that could work for you. I would google for Oilcloth Fabric, could be a good fit.
Deletexoxo!
Jen
You can laminate your own fabric as well, they sell the laminate at Joann's. It's so easy you just iron it on, I used it for some chairs in our dining room and it holds up well!
DeleteOH, I totally forgot about that stuff. Love it! Here is a link to an example of {pre}laminated fabric. lol
Deletehttp://www.fabric.com/just-arrived-just-arrived-home-decorating-fabric-heather-bailey-freshcut-laminated-cotton-heather-bailey-freshcut-laminated-cotton-graphic-mums-turquoise.aspx?cm_vc=756b1813-cbc1-43b3-84bd-29889bf8fb7b
What a fabulous idea!
ReplyDelete~Steph @ Silver Boxes
How adorable!
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric of the apron. I hadn't thought of using an apron but it's a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI love using those wheeled grocery carts that little old ladies are supposed to use to go to and from the store. I have a small one and a bigger one and it sure makes it easier to tote things, but I'm in the country and have a big yard. I find a box that will fit inside the opening so the tools (rakes, shoves, mattock, etc.) don't slip through the bottom.
Barbara H.
I love all of your ideas! My family and I just moved into a new house (from an apartment) and now that we have a backyard, I'd love to have a vegetable/fruit garden for the first time! This is such a cute and practical idea. I'm so glad I found your site a few months ago. I was able to organize my kitchen/pantry/kids' playroom all from the start, thanks to your ideas! You are so inspiring. I'll definitely be trying this once I get my garden going!
ReplyDeleteI use a very similar bucket-pocket thing (but mine isn't as pretty as yours)...but I don't put soil in my bucket, we have a very large veggie/flower garden with a lot of dirt, so I let my husband do the dirt moving with his wheel barrow...BUT, instead I use my bucket to collect weeds while I am gardening, I pull them out and put them in the bucket as I move around the yard, and then at the end I dump it all in the yard waste pile!
ReplyDeleteHappy Gardening!! -Andrea
Will cute, Jen. And those colors are my favorites!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea!
ReplyDeleteToo funny, we just moved our garden stuff into a ceramic planter. But that was a step up from laying all over the garage. Great idea though!
ReplyDeleteSO cute Jen! Pretty and functional!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I LOVE this! I think this would be adorable for a Mother's Day gift too.
ReplyDeletewow, i love this idea!! I actually have a couple of those buckets!!! Totally pinning this. :) thanks!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteI love it! The little apron is too cute for words! Great Idea Jen!
Lots of Love
Ashli
That's a great idea. Love the colours of the apron.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this idea, but I have 6 acres, so I think I need to outfit a wheelbarrow with a cute apron :)
ReplyDeleteI just planted my herb garden the other day using old, broken pots as markers... check it out - http://www.hardlyhousewives.com/2012/04/2012-herb-garden.html
Loved this idea! Went and ordered an apron right away to make this. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteisn't it heavy though? I have seen lots of cute ideas with bucklets and aprons...
ReplyDeleteNo more heavy than a big bag of soil. And the bucket is simple to carry since it has a handle. It could easily be tossed into a wagon also.
Deletexoxo!
Jen
I LOVED this so much that I used this as my mother's day gift! I gave you lots of credit, so thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://homesweethere.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/pin-itmake-it-mothers-day-garden-bucket/
I'm totally going to keep this in mind for my mum! She loves gardening so I think she'd appreciate this one a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get all of your tools and gloves ypu carry with it
ReplyDeleteTypically at Target, dollar section! :)
Deletexoxo,
Jen
You are so ridiculously crafty - all of your ideas are fabulous. SO glad I have found this site!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI am really late to the party, lol.. LOVE your great idea of wrapping a garden apron around a five gallon bucket.. So CUTE!! Wish I could find the Etsy shoppe owner you got the apron from.. It's exactly what Im looking for myself.. Looks like her shop is no longer there.. So am now considering sewing my own.. just curious if you recall if the apron fit all the way around the bucket and how did you accommodate the bucket handle.. Thanks so much.
Best Regards,
Shannon