How To Use Thrift Store Finds in The Garden

I don’t know if Stewart and I kept our counting on track, but this was a really fun video to shoot! Here are 10 junk store finds and how I am using them in the garden. You requested and I responded. Hope you enjoy this video and some of the clever ways we can reuse, recycle and re-purpose in our gardens! Make sure to comment below and let me know how you would use the same things in your gardens :-)!
Sinnenglas solar jars: amzn.to/3sUJEdN
Chicken wire cloche
www.gardeners.com/buy/chicken...
Website: www.lindavater.com/
Instagram: / potagerblog
Facebook: / lindavatergardens
Pinterest: / lindapotager
My USDA Gardening Zone: 7a
Note this description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned and support my content at no cost to you. This affiliate link allows me to earn a small sum when you use the links listed above. You are in no way obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!

[@teraanaam]

Another NUT like me, always thinking creatively ! Once a teacher, always a teacher ! Love it, I feel I am not alone ! Keep creating, keep the dump clean !!!!!

[@alice_rabbit8345]

I just picked up a woven chair and a small bench on trash day!! Gotta recycle and up cycle!!

[@kelliez9991]

Our thrift shops are popular but expensive. Prices are often similar to retail stores unfortunately. But I still love to thrift shop.

[@pattymiller6696]

I bought the small wire garbage cans from the Dollar Tree and put over my plants that the rabbits and squirrels were trying to eat. Worked great and cheap! I love all your videos!

[@LindaVater]

Excellent idea!

[@marybusch6182]

Love it!!!

[@paulet990]

What a great idea!

[@alisonsneed3707]

One of the most upscale & content packed trash to treasure videos ever!

[@LindaVater]

Thank you!

[@terirachelsims8928]

I was just watching this video again as I clear out "links" I've saved - and I'm not deleting it! I have quite a few thrift store candle holders in my back yard I use for solar lights. And another view of this video gave me the idea of using a candle holder/metal planter basket as a lantern!

[@alygarden7879]

😅😆 you made me laugh when you said your husband has been mercilessly (and your son's also), making fun of you with "you are so creative" in that high pitch voice..... 😆 It's their "creative way" if verbalizing their love for you 💖☺️..... Loved one like teasing us but him being your camera person is showing great support ☺️ (even if he is laughing at you behind the camera and behind the scenes). Love your thrift finds and the uses you did with them!

[@chriswilliams6568]

Really good point about only buying a used plastic item.

[@TAdams-hx9lk]

Hurts to see you using that beautiful pan for gravel! Yuuch!

[@debraglass6054]

Hi Linda, Debra from Memphis here, girl you are a woman after my own heart. Not everyone has a eye for these great thrift stores recreation,I am new to your channel, but belive you me I will be looking forward to your great ideas in the future be blessed.

[@LindaVater]

Welcome!

[@marcusseidel6824]

Linda, I just came from the thrift store... ( found a lot of nice things...:) ) Came home and your video popped up. Perfect ....

[@alicechristian2980]

Wonderful, TFS🙏👍🤣

[@fritula6200]

Linda Vater what a creative detective......you know how to think ahead, and create in your mind something that other haven't got that gift. Love your determination. And you know how to recycle everything. Again rare gift.

[@gaylabarre2736]

I love that you encourage us to shop around for creative garden items. You give us great cost savings ideas and resources. Gardening can get very expensive as you know so inexpensive solutions is a great gift to all of us. I watch other garden influencers and they have good ideas but most of them are pushing products and seem to have deep pockets when putting together garden projects. Thanks Linda for making us feel like no matter what your budget you can produce a productive and beautiful garden.

[@LindaVater]

You are so right. Gardening can be so expensive. Even if you have the money though, I think it is so worthwhile to try to reuse things that already exist. Plus I do love the patina of all things. As long as we are careful not to make it look junky and to use things in a intentional stylish way, I think it’s a brilliant solution

[@joanshute3384]

Oh Lindavi Love, Love, Love Shopping Thrift store and garage sales. Thank you for all your tips. So until next time God Bless you and Stewart and have a Blessed day and Stay Safe my dear Friends.

[@lioness5953]

You are a sweetheart. They are teasing you bc they care about you. Love ur channel. Blessings

[@bagpipes978]

Love your creativity and enthusiasm! Your family can tease you mercilessly all they want but you know they actually respect and admire your brilliant ideas and thriftiness! You've inspired me! Thank you!

[@rondal7316]

This is the first time I have seen your videos and I loved it you are so creative . I really love plants and flowers I worked for one spring/summer and am hooked and love plants and flowers. Love thrift stores 😀 Blessings love and light. Washington State

[@katiesutter7130]

I use egg shells to start those finicky nasturtiums and anything that doesn't like being disturbed. Just like a hole for drainage while germinating, plant the entire egg shell and you've feed your plant as well. Snake shed scares the squirrels away also, they don't want to be eaten. As a child we used pieces of an old water hose which worked for awhile, think they finally figured it out though.

[@yourpathmatters]

What a great topic!

[@lisaolsen2213]

Enjoyed the video Linda!

[@basketcase-0140]

I too found some gardening pants at Goodwill! Not as fancy as yours, but I was so pleased because they’re cotton and a name brand so good construction. I used to wear worn out jeans but they were too heavy but these pants are so lightweight I can wear them even on hot days and they protect me from bug bites, etc. And they only cost $3.99!🦋🐰🌷Thanks for the inspiration-new subscriber!

[@peggyshepherd90]

Love your ideas

[@kyleclark7740]

I love when you break the fourth wall (4:44) and ask Stewart to answer your question. that makes me happy.

[@petermcfadden9426]

Thanks for the very useful ideas. Greetings from North Wales, UK.

[@cynthiajones823]

I love your show!!!! It's 2:36 a.m. and I just can't seem to stop viewing all the goodies you share with us. Thanks for providing great ideas for those of us who LOVE to shop in thrift stores.

[@LindaVater]

Sleep in this morning!!

[@puplover6265]

KZbinrs seem to find neat stuff at thrift stores. Maybe I don't have the gift for spotting such great items, but it's nice to see what others score. Glad you're out in the garden again.

[@marilynpeppers1356]

Me too. I’m not necessarily creative, but I can copy!😉

[@lizbeth9222]

Just keep trying. I go to Goodwill and Salvation Army often. Sometimes I don't find anything and others I really score.

[@rebeccawhite9379]

Totally terminator! Adorable and practical

[@lauraschreuders2799]

Linda, you spur my kind of "winter dead imagination". Stewart may be teasing, but you are so creative and artistic!

[@sherrisclafani9702]

Thrift store shopping is the bomb🌻

[@SharkSandwich451]

Get some Breck’s coral bells. In ground, or pots, mostly shade, keep soil moist, add coffee grounds 1x week for 2 weeks, mix or put next to ladies mantel. I emailed them photos of those coral bells and they are absolutely thriving now.

[@avrilcaulfield7627]

A really well presented video Tks for sharing

[@berlindaarmijo9251]

Wow!! You are creative. And i love that wall your seating on. Its very nicely made. TY for your video

[@melshark13]

I just stumbled upon your channel. Absoltely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your eco-friendly soul. I too love to upcycle EVERYTHING. I LOVE "trash" to treasure using the term (trash) lightly. Most things people toss - usually have so much life left and can always be upcycled into something beautiful, and useful. I really enjoy to re-use, recycle, upcycle, multi purpose items. Thift stores, consignment, flea market, garage, yard, and estate sales = THE BEST! We all can help do our part, and stop buying new. (Some items must be new. Non negotiable = under wear, bras) 😁 We need to stop being a 'throw away' society. Thank you for taking time to share your wonderful videos with all of us. Sending hugs, beach vibes, and sunshine- from the Texas Gulf Coast 🤗🏝🌅 Mel

[@thomaswiegand7348]

ABSOLUTELY love this type of video. I, too, enjoy repurposing found treasures! So much fun,and, they are one of a kind!

[@crystalann32]

me too

[@jorenegardner1390]

My first time to see your program. Love. It. ,,,

[@patriciasandoval7048]

YES Please! Recycle ♻️ Reuse 💡 Repurpose! 🔁

[@danahyatt5760]

What is a (wrong spelling) potashay? I’ve never heard that word. Pardon my ignorance!

[@cheekypiper512]

No no no stone on the candelabra. A patina of some sort to enhance the details. Why cover it in stone?

[@ritastutler1470]

I am so much like you. I found all kind of treasures in my basement. We look for old chairs and take the bottoms out and put netting and put flowers. I use an old metal wheelbarrow with holes.put dirt and 💐 flowers. I love all of your ideas. I use old beautiful plates , bottles, glass bowlset c in my gardens.

[@AcornHillHomestead]

Awesome ideas!!!!

[@Cenepk101]

Awesome, Linda. That gravel scoop made me jealous!!!! THAT was a fabulous find !!!!! And those britches are cool too. Loved everything

[@matthewtucker4515]

I love this! Keep them coming!

[@shey2444]

Great video. Useful. To the point. No waffling.

[@CL-rh8ti]

Linda, you’re such a good teacher.

[@ellenford4738]

I have a wire basket exactly like your number two item. Mine was from my previous refrigerator. I too use it in the garden.so glad I saved it. Very useful.

[@edstud1]

So many things can be be done with a little creativity! I love repurposing things I find along the road!

[@Tanya-uo3qq]

I LOVE your pants!

[@LindaVater]

Thank you Tanya!

[@Tanya-uo3qq]

@@LindaVater ...Your channel is fantastic, by the way...But I bet you don't get many compliments on those cool pants! HA! Take care....;-)

[@carolbrooks9161]

You inspired me. I love to shop at thrift stores but I will definitely be looking for stuff I can use in the garden now. And Thanks for the ideas for discouraging the squirrels. I'm about to scream with frustration!

[@OneTrueWord1988]

Carol Brooks: Try splashing hot sauce around your plants. It works for me!

[@doreen7554]

Last summer I repurposed an out of use wrought iron plate hanger that displayed three plates vertically. I hung it on the fence and hung three plant pots from it!

[@LindaVater]

Smart you!

[@mpatzera2763]

@@LindaVater BC my ku be hhvbbbgbg by

[@kathiparshall8094]

I've been getting items for the garden from thrift stores for years! I love seeing how you use some of the things that I pass up. Now I will look at them with a new light. Thanks

[@eleanorwinters5200]

Love all that stuff. Always on the look out...

[@lindalary7760]

I am obsessed with topiaries too

[@DixieGirl9876]

Love them all! Doesn't Stewart know better than to make fun of the Terminator gardening chick?! lol I too love to incorporate thrifty finds in the garden. I have my girls old wagon with thrifted galvanized pots planted with cascading stone crop, tulips and pansies at the moment, an old rusty hand water pump as art, a couple of metal chairs planted, a couple of thrifted bikes that I've painted white and added wire baskets to the front and back that I plant seasonally, birdhouses turned fairy houses. Happy gardening!

[@jensingerlady]

I will watch for these items at the Goodwill. Great ideas!

[@carlaross5654]

Cute and your shoes are always cute.

[@lauraw.7008]

Your bonus basket is a harvest basket! I use mine for more than harvesting; I stand mine on end and set a pot on it indoors in winter. I use it as a weed basket - the roots dry as I'm working, and the soil falls back into the garden. You've given me more ideas as well! Thanks

[@susansmith4749]

This one was good enough to watch twice!

[@debratess9183]

Absolutely brilliant !!

[@Laura-vv6cf]

Last time I went to Restore another customer was standing in line with s beautiful outdoor urn. It's all in being at right place right time for those great finds at thrift, charity and consignment shops!

[@LindaVater]

So true!

[@mardisteffenhagen9405]

Ok. Ok. I will start looking at my thrift store for stuff!! I guess my Grandmother was right after all🤣❤️🥰

[@oscargoldfield1593]

Grandmother's are always right.😁

[@Elaine_Jim_McGuire]

Yup, thrifting for the garden... I subscribed.

[@marythomson3229]

Love how your creative mind works. Keep these coming!

[@sharonmcmurrick3853]

Really great ideas!!! I love the wire cloches and baskets, I have chickens this would work to keep them out of my pots.

[@jeanburgin160]

Fun video!!!

[@kyleverschuur7014]

I think I’ve decided that you’re my spirit animal 😂 awesome videos, fab inspiration and it’s so refreshing to know I’m not the only one that refuses to spend more than I have to to garden here in the UK! Thank you for sharing 🙌🏼 x

[@LindaVater]

I feel so honored!

[@marybethlaratta7242]

Love this type of video

[@zenagardner868]

Hi Linda, I am new to your channel, love your content. I have been gardening for 8 years and love it. This year I will be using my twin sons' wagon. They are 31 now, but it took me a long time to decide to use it. I will use it to hold some of my veggie plants, making it easier to move them around my backyard chasing the sun.

[@LindaVater]

Smart👍👍

[@angelahagood7143]

Just found your channel! Where have you been hiding??? How refreshing to see gardening through your eyes! Love this episode...love those pants! What a great idea! Yesterday I purchased a pair of work overalls and never thought of walking across the street to my local Goodwill and looking for second hand, already broke-in work pants. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Now I must binge watch your channel to learn more valuable tidbits of garden knowledge! Thank you, thank you for sharing. I too am obsessed with all things topiary! 🥰🙌🏻👍🏻🌺

[@LindaVater]

Welcome!!

[@filomenaburdick871]

I love what you do

[@jojo-tl5ei]

Like those pants. Agree with you Linda, I try to avoid buying new plastic things. Great segment! 👍

[@melissabeswick9430]

I love that you avoid new plastic things!

[@lindaortolano7837]

Linda you crack me up because you remind me of ME!! I do the same thing! I love thrift store finds!! Funny, I get laughed at too!! :)

[@carolking6355]

I love your channel. Thank you. I can no longer garden but you are giving me ideas for my gardener. I am also having a small conservatory added to my house so I can sit in winter sun. I need lots of ideas for plants to pack it full for next winter. I get so excited at the thought. Thank goodness you don’t do mosaic. I have just watched a garden full of it. It is not a plant. A birdbath and sun dial I have but what a garden is , is plants.

[@LindaVater]

How 🥰 lovely!

[@fotyfar]

Very practical beautiful lady , love ur way

[@LindaVater]

🙏🙏🙏

[@reicyspearman5927]

Beautiful treasures I love the thrift store we used to get talked about as a child for shopping at thrift stores but oh how the same ladies that had something to say back then boy do I run into all of them shopping there

[@kscommentary9710]

Awesomely great! Thanks

[@lincasteel-butler531]

Awesome! My greatest "transformation" was an vintage pedestal for a sink; from a salvage store. With an vintage light shade on top.....walah.....a bird bath. I spray painted the pedestal a bronze so it blended but still held its own. Total cost: $25 for a one of a kind.

[@LindaVater]

How cool!

[@skywonderly1768]

You are creative that’s why gardening is a art!

[@LM-qs6eq]

Fantastic Ideas! Love it!

[@jenniecrawley4343]

Oh Linda. I loved this video. Spoke to my thrifting heart ❤️ and I smiled when you referred to your gardening pants as “britches”. My daughters laugh at me when I call them by that name. They say they have never heard anyone else call them that! 😂😉 Happy Saturday in the Garden

[@LindaVater]

🤣🤣🤣

[@2gooddrifters]

Britchrs is an old English word, still used in Yorkshire

[@karenhudgin8631]

OMG I love this channel and your ideas!

[@DetroitDutchezz]

1st I love your style, 2nd your gardening esthetic is so unique and last I love the idea of thrift gifts! The basket on the candle holder is simply genius...So inspiring!

[@colsen4616]

Love all your ideas! When I potted up some tulip bulbs, I was planning on just crossing my fingers that they’d survive the squirrels. A couple of days later I came across a couple battered hanging baskets buried in the garage. I upended them in the pots cloche style (they fit perfectly inside) and now every bulb has come up. I wish that was the case in the flower beds. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@LindaVater]

Clever girl

[@lynnbulmahn4086]

Chicken wire spread over your flower beds would probably work to thwart the squirrels and other bulb-eating critters. If you don't like the wire showing, cover it with mulch.

[@TashasTattoos]

Good point , about buying used plastic & I'd probably spray it with some outdoor spray paint/ Rust-Oleum too.

[@kathyseymour4812]

I am so happy to have stumbled upon this video. Thank you so much to inspire me to update some old stuff into new.

[@suzetteccc]

First of all - the shirt!! It's perfect. I'm not sure I would qualify, but I'm getting there. My guy came to trim the big hedge, and I was planting two Green Mountain cones in pots, and he said "Another boxwood?" Yup😆 Can't have too many!. Second - Can't wait to see the candelabra. Plus, (bonus) Linda - no wonder your mouth won't work. Every day you have another video! You work too hard. Thanks a billion, btw. We love them.💚🌳

[@LindaVater]

Thanks Sweet Pea!

[@nikkibonbon1600]

Love it

[@NguyenVinhHang]

Yes! Loving the gardening tips and the Sarah Conner vibe for the garden😀🌿

[@susanbucasas804]

You mentioned battery operated candles in the garden. I decided to use them in the gazebo. They were in the shade but we just had a heat wave in the Pacific Northwest. 113 degrees by our thermometer. They melt! Even in the shade, so bring them inside if it gets too hot. I now have deformed battery operated candles. LOL

[@CindyS1965]

Great video

[@lovingatlanta]

🙏Awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing. 💝

[@thatsssick]

Hahah your "but wait, if you subscribe now" made me laugh 💕💕💕 love these tips

[@LindaVater]

😜

[@jeanieh9386]

I am obsessed with the chalice planter. I have to head to Goodwill now and hope for the best!

[@michaeljonesdougherty.209]

Linda all very gr8 ideas 😄I love the thrift stores💟 i find gr8 finds for the yard & my home. & look at you in short sleeve its 34.& sunny here in Rehoboth beach delawere. But its supose to reach 64 next week !. iam heading in the yard to do clean up today love your videos.

[@tuijawilska9913]

What wonderful thrifted items repurposed for the garden. You have given me so much inspiration. Thank you for this video. I really enjoy watching your junk store finds.

[@joannerios7034]

Hi Linda. Thank you again for your inspirational and enjoyable videos. I wanted to pass along a tip for keeping squirrels from digging up your plants. It's tool! I learned this from "Robbie and Gary Gardening Easy ". Robbie places a little tool fabric around her pots just on top of the soil and the squirrels hate that their little nails get caught up in it. She uses the dark green or even black so that it doesn't stand out. It's awesome!

[@LindaVater]

What an incredible idea! Thank you

[@LindaVater]

I am so gonna copy that! You’re the best!

[@ellepienews6249]

Such excellent finds and tips! You have a good eye and imagination. Stewart better be nice to you, there’s more of us then him!🤣😉However the terminator comparison was spot on.

[@lindaparker4950]

Awesome ideas, wonderful video !!

[@zenagardner868]

I never had problems with the squirrels, until last summer. I did the hot pepper seeds on the tops of my veggies plants. It worked for a while, you just have to do it often. This spring I will be using rubber snakes, I was told that squirrels don"t like them. I will keep you posted.

[@nikkihaley4133]

Hello, i was wondering if you had any luck with those rubber snakes?

[@terriebutler6737]

LOVE IT! Especially that rusty metal tray 🪴🪴🪴

[@conniejones3074]

Love this video! Two of my favorite things - thrifting and gardening 😍

[@doloresramirez3289]

Hey..Ms pretty Linda.. You are a ray of sunshine. Loved your thrift finds. Thank you. ❤🙏

[@LindaVater]

Thanks dear!

[@dianegao9176]

I love your ideas of using candlesticks in the garden which I always passed up. You have good eye. The fist non-essential store I will go is the Thrift store when it's reopened.

[@tishgordon]

I LOVE these tips and tricks! You're teaching us how to open our eyes to new possibilities and recycle and reuse! AND I love how using old items can help some of our younger gardens look more aged and tenured. Thanks again, Linda!

[@LindaVater]

You bet!