Outdoor ideas for gardening, clotheslines, and more
All Around the Homestead: A page written by our readers
Even a small change can lead to a big amount of satisfaction if it saves time or trouble. Here are four inexpensive and simple ideas, straight from experienced country dwellers. With enhancements as quick and effective as these, be careful -- your city cousins may steal them!
Auxiliary storage where the action is
Keep an old mailbox out at the edge of the garden. You can store gloves, pliers, pruners, and other hand tools. It will even keep seeds dry. Saves numerous, time-consuming trips back and forth to your garden shed or garage. We picked ours up at an area rummage sale, and it was very inexpensive. It certainly has been a nice added convenience.
--R.C., Kansas
Keep clothes on the line
We attached 5-foot lengths of 1Ú4-inch chain to the ends of our clothesline. Now hangers can hook into the links. Things stay on the line even in strong winds, and we enjoy outdoor-fresh clothes -- without the clothespin marks.
--E.O, South Dakota
Pretty up the place
In front of the less attractive areas on our property, we stretch a fence of chicken wire using a post at each end. Then we plant morning glory seed right under the fence. As the vines climb, they create a screen.
--K.E., Connecticut
Neater paint jobs
To eliminate the mess of dripping paint from wiping the brush on the edge of the can, we take an old rubber band or piece of electrical tape and place it across the open center. The paint drips back into the container.
--A.B., Wisconsin
Share your handy homestead idea -- it could earn you $100!
Got a great idea you've been wanting to share? Living the Country Life magazine invites you to send it in.
Submissions should be precise. Include a sketch or photograph when needed. We pay $100 for a published idea. All material submitted becomes property of Meredith Corporation (parent company of LCL). If your idea is used, you give Meredith the right to use it in any manner.
E-mail us at paula.barbour@meredith.com with your idea and daytime phone number!
Or send ideas, along with your daytime phone number to:
Living the Country Life Magazine
All Around the Homestead"
1716 Locust Street LN422
Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
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