Ideas for Yard Work

Anyone who worked in the yard for the past few weeks probably knows this, spring cleaning in the garden is not quite enjoyable in a windy day, because the mother nature likes to take the leaf and dead plants that were just been picked into the bag, along with the lawn bag itself altogether in an un-expected way, and spread the debris back into the yard.

We experienced the same thing last weekend, spent almost half of the time chasing the lawn bags that got away, cleaning the mess along the path, while we are working in the front yard, so I decided to put something together for a change.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend $9 for the store bought one, so I bought a bag of 1/2" schedule 40 PVC "T" and a bag of elbows (10 of each). These will be enough for two holders, one for our neighbor and one for us.

I have some left over 1/2" PVC in 10' section, both white and gray. And PVC cement (I ended up not using it at all, as the pipe and joints fit so tight, also, I would like to be able to take them apart for storage in the off season).

The size of the bag is 16" x 12" x 35" (h). Here is the cut list for making one lawn bag holder:

(4) x 21" section

(2) x 9 1/2" section

(2) x 13 1/2" section

(4) x 12" section

(4) elbows, and (4) "T" joints.

Have some fun and knock them together as pictured. I think this is a simple way to do it, but sky is the limit...

The bottom section has to be an open form, otherwise, it will be difficult to pull out of the bag when the bag is full (don't ask me why I know that...)

A $5 pipe cutter would also make the cuts clean, square and effortless.

Use a vise to hold the pipe while cutting, save you a lot of effort trying to hold a skinny pipe in one hand and rotate the pipe cutter with the other hand (again, don't ask me why I know that...)

Cost of each form holder:

(8) of elbow and "T" for $0.20 each = $1.60

(12) PVC section used one and half of 10' PVC = $3.00

Total $4.60

Fun of making it - priceless

The goal of making this lawn cart is make it light, but solid enough to haul the full bag of yard refuse, maybe additional smaller tools and a water bottle.

Please see the "Air Compressor Cart" for the detailed instruction. This light-weighted lawn cart will use the same construction but lighter material from my scrap pile and a couple of salvaged plastic wheels from an old grill.

The bottom of the cart is 3/8" plywood;

The side braces are the 1/4" plywood;

The vertical pieces are 3/4" x 2" x 37";

The handle is a leftover 2 x 2.

I used 2" 16 Gauge pin nails and glue, as well as some 1" drywall screws to assemble them together. Keep in mind, use a lot of glue, it will provide the majority of the holding force with lighter structure like this.

The plywood braces will add a lot of ridigity to the cart, it's very important to have them glued, nailed and screwed together.

Total cost = $0.00

Adding quite a few garden tools onto the cart with hooks. They are either made from salvaged electrical wire, or the wire cloth hanger.

And we are ready for work - pulling cart one hand and carrying a cooler with the other...

Next will be a pair of light-weight low garden stools that we can sit on while working. It should be light enough to hang it on the cart.

Happy Gardening!