I thought my Cactus and Succulent Friends might enjoy this article, so wanted to share it. It's from a friend of mines blog, Grant Meyer. It's about using some of your old dinnerware and serving pieces as gardening tools.

http://grantmeyer.blogspot.com...

The knife really does work well when potting up your cactus!! =)

Very amusing. And true, in many cases!

Funny you should mention that. The thread I read right before this one over in the sempervivum forum showed how she made a handle for a fork that she uses for her plants.

Loved that article, Alan. I make decorative totems and stacks for the yard/garden with old dishes and glassware. That should fit right in!

Pictures please :)

Alan

Ummmm ... let me look.

I have also seen old forks stuck in the ground, tines up, used as plant markers. And plants, especially succulents, in broken pottery like teapots and cups/sauces, but that's pretty common.

Eventually you have a real dish garden.

Meanwhile, I'll post this:

Love that, especially the 'stuffing' coming out of the bottom of the seat!

Alan: Thanks for the link to that article! I agree with your friends tip regarding NOT up-planting into too large of a container. I once overheard someone at a garden center telling another person who was buying a small 4" potted plant that they should repot it into a gallon or larger size container, saying it would have more room to grow faster!%&*@!

The kitchen utensil idea for potting is a great tip! I've used old forks for digging, they work well especially when planting terrariums. Knives come in handy for many gardening chores too! In the past I'd use old wooden spoons for digging but always ended up breaking the handles so they are only used as stakes for houseplants. For digging tools one can find very inexpensive kitchen utensils at thrift stores!

That's out in CA. Not so practical here. Zone envy today.

Found a couple shots of some dish and glass totems. Or part of a view of one in the center background of the first pic. Things are in winter storage right now so not so much out in the yard. However, you'd never be able to tell it's "winter" today at 65º!

Oops, cross-posted with you, Lin. Utensils are perfect for terrarium gardening.