10 Farm Finds for Your Landscaping

What do you do during a pandemic when you’re working from home and lose your one-hour daily commute? You update your landscaping, of course! And when we say “update,” that’s just a less labor-intensive way of saying we pulled out nine bushes, cut down one lilac tree with half its limbs gone, and hauled tons (literally tons) of rock out just to haul in mulch. It was past time to get rid of the overgrown landscaping (which was designed for a city residence) and move to something a little more fitting for the country…and something that doesn’t require trimming! Besides, we’re Inspired By The Farm, so we should look the part, don’t ya think?

 

Before you get to decorate, even with outdoor décor, you must put in the hard work first. Decorating is the fun part, the bow on top of the present, so to speak. Once the manual labor is complete, there is still plant selection and design layout. We are very pollinator-friendly here (Save the Bees!) so that part was easy; the layout took a bit more head-scratching. We chose some old favorites, including daisies, black-eyed Susan, bee balm, and purple coneflower (echinacea). Fun fact: Purple coneflowers are one of the biggest bee attractors and are drought-resistant, perfect for our hot, dry Midwestern summers.

 

Once the last plant is in the dirt and the last shovel of mulch is placed, it’s time for the finishing touches. Sometimes, finding items for your landscaping is as easy as a trip to the farm and through the barn or to your local flea market.

 

#1 Gates

Whether they are wooden, picket, or wire, gates are a perfect fit for your garden or landscaping. Not only are they inviting to your visitors, but they are also great for climbing flowers like clematis or roses. They make a great focal point or can even fill up a corner. We used the gate from the picket fence that enclosed the chicken yard at my grandparent’s farm and planted peonies next to it. My grandma had peonies the length of that fence, so it seemed a fitting tribute to add those to our backyard landscaping.

#2 Water Pumps

Add an old water pump to create a soothing water feature. There’s nothing more relaxing when you’re sitting outside than the gentle sounds of running water. There are many options for incorporating water features from adding an in-ground pond to using an old washtub with water trickling out of the pump, or even into an old galvanized milk bucket overflowing into the pond. For the finishing touch, add flat white creek rock for that ultimate country feel.

#3 Wheels

Steel wheels from old farm implements are popular and still fairly easy to find at a decent price. They look great propped up at the end of a retaining wall. Plant some flowers which will grow up through the wheel to add a splash of color. Or take some inspiration from us and lean one up against the remains of an old tree.

#4 Rural Mailbox

Speaking of old trees, how about mounting an old rural mailbox on the tree to bring back memories of a drive down an old dusty country road? I love going for a drive and seeing miles of barbed and woven wire fences with an old mailbox to remind me of a simpler time. Back then, names were painted on the mailbox. If you’re lucky you may still see a few like that today. Put the flag up and paint your last name on it for that authentic look! As a bonus, you can store your garden tools, clippers, and gloves inside. They’ll be right there the next time you need them and will be out of the rain.

#5 Barn Vent

Originally designed to add airflow into the hayloft to help dry hay, barn vents or cupolas come in various sizes and shapes with some being large and ornate. We found this simple barn vent on a trip to Minnesota. It swivels in the breeze, giving us a different look with no effort. And it comes complete with bullet holes. Oh, the stories it could tell.

#6 Lightning Rods

Much like our bullet-laden vent, lightning rods and their decorative glass balls were once a big target. While the rods are an easy find at most flea markets, the glass balls are a bit harder to find and you may pay a pretty penny depending on the design. Either the glass balls were shot, or they were shattered during a lightning strike…which meant they served their purpose of alerting the homeowner to check for damage. Strategically placed lightning rods, with or without the glass ball, add some much-needed height to your landscaping.

#7 Stock Tank

We bought our rusty stock tank for $5! You can also find pretty, new galvanized ones at your local farm store in varying sizes to meet your needs…but you won’t pay $5! I’ve seen several at farm auctions and flea markets, or you might find an old one from a local farmer. If it has holes, no worries -- you’ll have built-in drainage. Our motto is Reuse, Renew, Relive, so this was right up our alley. We opted to plant annuals, and I’m in love with the dripping flowers we have now. Instead of filling the entire tank with soil, we used a horticulture technique that Dick has been experimenting with called Hügelkultur. It is a German compost technique where you fill the bottom of the container (or raised bed) with a base of branches and prunings from woody shrubs. Then you add organic, compostable material, and finally, add some dirt on top. We’ll see how it goes, but so far so good!

#8 Windmill Blades & Tail

I love windmills about as much as I love a nice barn, and since I haven’t talked Dick into putting up a windmill yet next to our barn (we do have the tower, so that’s a start), I’ll have to settle for windmill parts in my landscaping -- and so can you! As much as I would like to say mine came from the family farm, that windmill is still very much intact, and I believe still functional. Both blades and tails are hard to find, but with a few trips to a flea market, you’ll be glad you made the effort. We were lucky enough to bring home our windmill tail while in Spring Valley, Minnesota, and as a bonus, we also met new friends Dave & Carol from The Backyard Flea. They were the real treasures we found on that trip.

#9 Wash Tubs

Round, square, single, double, stand, no stand. So many options for washtubs depending on your taste. Washtubs sans the stand are the easiest to find and the least expensive option. Adding a stand and ”making it a double” can cost you around $200 at an antique store…if you can find one. All are perfect for planting flowers, and holes in the bottom don’t matter. Want a different look? Hang your washtub from a short shepherd’s hook and let the flowers cascade out. They also make cute water features with a hand water pump mounted on some reclaimed lumber attached to the washtub.  Hate having your garden hose laying around or having to put it back on the hose reel? Then try this handy little trick and curl your garden hose in it, where it will stay nice and neat and ready for your next watering!

#10 Milk Cans

Milk cans were used to carry milk from the farm to the dairy for processing. Milk the cows, strain the milk into the milk can, and into the ice-cold cooler in the milk house it would go. Then a couple of times a week, the milk truck would come pick up the milk and leave more cans to fill up. At least that’s how it worked at my grandparent’s small dairy farm where they milked their cows by hand, twice a day. What was once a staple in the dairy industry can serve a new purpose in your landscaping. Milk cans make great potted plant holders. Rusty, no bottom, who cares? If the lid comes off, you’re in business! Just take an 8-inch pot, drop it in the top of the milk can, add some potting soil, and your favorite annual.

So, get “inspired by the farm” for your next landscaping project and be sure to share pictures on our Facebook page!