The Yard, Gardens, and Patio of a Junk Collector

January 26, 2014
I started collecting vintage items about 20 years ago.

My mom has always loved antiques, auctions, garage sales and thrift shops.  We sold collectibles together on Ebay for a few years in the 1990's, and were quite successful.  My mom continued to sell at consignment shops to supplement her retirement income (and for fun).  She still dabbles in selling, even though downsizing to an apartment slowed down her buying and selling.

When I first started collecting, I read the collecting guides that really stressed condition, condition, condition of the item.  So chipped, cracked, worn items seldom came home with me.  Over the years my tastes have changed some, and I have my pretty collections and my rustic, junky collections.

So, what do I collect?  You will see my collections all over my house and gardens.  I could never be a minimalist, but I like my collections and clutter to be ORGANIZED!

Here are my favorite collectibles used outdoors:

PAILS & BUCKETS:
Junk Garden Galvanized Buckets www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
You can just never have too many galvanized buckets.


Junk Garden Galvanized Mop Bucket www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Old mop buckets are tops in the bucket world!

Junk Garden Galvanized Buckets www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Buckets work for all seasons.

Junk Garden Galvanized Minnow Buckets www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Minnow buckets and inserts ROCK!

VINTAGE KITCHEN WARE:
Junk Garden Kitchen Ware www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
I used pot lids, measuring cups, an ice cube tray, Jello molds, aluminum pots and butter knives for a kitchen fairy garden.

Junk Garden Kitchen Ware www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Kitchen fairy garden 2012 had a muffin tin and a ricer.

Junk Garden Kitchen Ware www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Indian corn in a berry sieve on the potting bench/sink.

Junk Garden Kitchen Ware www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
A toaster planted with hen and chicks, and a berry sieve with lantana and creeping Jenny.

PLATES:
Junk Garden Plates www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Frame a hosta with garage sale or thrift shop dinner plates.

Junk Garden Plates www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Plates in my potting sink!

WATERING CANS:
Junk Garden Waterning Cans www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
This is a no brainer!  Watering cans are a must have outdoor collectible.

Junk Garden Waterning Cans www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
I love the old galvanized patina of vintage watering cans.

GARDEN & FARM TOOLS:
Junk Garden Farm Tools www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
 Pick up inexpensive vintage yard and farm tools to display in a grouping.

Junk Garden Lawn Tools www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Old sprinklers are a fun collectible.

Junk Garden Hand Tools www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
I love displaying vintage garden hand tools.

Junk Garden Farm Tools www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
This is an old Ro-Ho cultivator.

Junk Garden Farm Tools www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Some old farm implements will even hold a terra cotta pot.

OLD LADDERS:
Junk Garden Ladders www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Stepladders work perfect with terra cotta pots.  I put a large nail or spike through the rung from the bottom and anchor the pot by putting the pot hole over the nail.

Junk Garden Ladders www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Ladders www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
An old tree house ladder.

OUTDOOR GAMES:
Junk Garden Games www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Marbles and a dart board.

Junk Garden Games www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Croquet and bocce balls on the patio.

Junk Garden Games www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
A rusty metal toy car and horseshoes.

CHAIRS:
Junk Garden Chairs www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Old chairs with pots on the seat, or planted right in the seat with chicken wire and moss.

Junk Garden Chairs www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Chairs www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Chairs www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Chairs www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Even a high chair!

FUNNELS:
Junk Garden Funnels www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Funnel on a broom stick planter.

Junk Garden Funnels www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Funnels in a flower pot.

LAUNDRY TUBS AND ACCESSORIES:
Junk Garden Laundry Tubs www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
I love planting in old galvanized laundry tubs.

Junk Garden Ironing Board www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
An old ironing board, iron, and clothespin bag on the patio.

Junk Garden Laundry Tub & Wringer www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Laundry tubs in the wheelbarrow with a vintage wringer. 

CRATES, LANTERNS, MILK CANS, AND PUMPS:
Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Junk Garden Crates, Lanterns, Milk Cans & Pumps www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com
Even a milk can top holds a terra cotta pot!

Outdoor Junk Decorating Ideas for all Seasons & Holidays www.organizedclutterqueen.blogspot.com

Did I inspire you to decorate your gardens and yards with collections?  I hope so!  It's fun!





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Thanks for reading my blog, Carlene

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Comments

  1. I love, love, love this post!!! Now I am on fire to find all sorts of containers for flowers....:) You are so creative and your flowers were beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Now I really miss summer!! Your gardens are gorgeous!!!
    Denise

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  3. You know I love it...I have a favor to ask. Is there a way you could do a video or farther away pictures. I would love to get a feel of the whole yard.

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  4. I just love your garden posts and they truly inspire me to do something wonderful in the yard even if a small thing. Thank you so much!

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  5. LOVE YOUR JUNK!! I think I could live in your garden - amazing!

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  6. Love your post and you have so many beautiful items in your garden. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
    Mary

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  7. Oh yes...you inspired me to want to decorate my flower gardens and yard with collections!! I used to have lots of things out in my front flower gardens, but I stopped after waking up one morning to find that someone had stolen stuff from my front yard. I so put a few things outback in the fenced in area. I so love seeing pictures of your pretty gardens.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  8. You need to write a book. Your pictures would tell the store. You could do a series.....one for inside and one for indoors, and the how tos. Great ideas for all of us.

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  9. I never get tired of seeing your gardens and they certainly were inspiring here in the dead of winter!

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  10. Love your beautiful photos and your beautiful junk!
    Pam
    scrap-n-sewgranny.blogspot.com

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  11. You're getting me excited for spring to get here. It is coming, right?

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  12. Love all your antiques!! But you must spend ALOT of time watering all your plants!!!

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  13. Love ...Love ...Love... your pretty garden ideas with the collectables ♥ ♥ ♥

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  14. I lie everything especially the one on the plates around the hosta---

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  15. Your changing vignettes are so clever! Thanks for providing some ideas.

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  16. How do you find enough time to care for your beautiful garden on top of collecting, upcycling, and everything else you do?

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