Kia hora te manno
Kia whakapapa paumamu te moana
Kia tere te Karohirohi

May the calm be widespread
May the sea glisten like the greenstone
And may the glimmer of summer dance across your pathways

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Mellow Yellow

I have a real problem, in that I am constantly losing my garden tools as I go about working in the yard. For example, I start out in one place, perhaps trimming off dead leaves or doing a little pruning, then stopping to go and find some twine to tie up a plant. I put down the clippers, or whatever tool I am using, ready to pick it up when I return. After returning and tying up the offending plant, often times I will see something else which needs my attention, so off I go to take care of it.
Next thing I know, it could be an hour or so later, several other garden chores completed and I remember the tool I had been using earlier on. Sheesh! where did I put it down? I look and look, and can't see it. First of all, my eyesight is not as good as it used to be, secondly, the color of most gardening tools, is such, that they blend in with the color of their surroundings on the ground.

I have tried wearing an apron with a large pocket to carry the tools. Didn't like it tied around my waist. I tried using a small basket to put the tools in. I would take one tool to use, then soon I had moved along doing my chores, and there the basket would sit, half way across the yard.
I say " enough already" I will solve my dilemma.



A can of bright yellow, rust preventing spray paint, and some creative painting, and VOILA!! my very old, but favorite garden tools are transformed. I should be able to spot these babies half way across the yard. If not, I had better visit my optometrist for some new eye glasses. *grin*
Yes I know, I bent the truth a little. the color is not exactly a
mello Yellow, but who could see such a pale shade of mellow yellow anyway? especially not me.

12 comments:

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

Fantastic idea! I do the same thing. I get so distracted and then have to search for tools, this seems like it will solve that problem!

VJJ1692 said...

I do this all the time.... (lose garden tools that is.. not paint them yellow).. part of the joy of gardening. Good idea.... I guess you could also strap some bright tape around the handles too.... but whatever... at least you can see them.

Anonymous said...

I tried this with my hori hori, and I still lose it, but clients find it for me. "I found a dagger-shovel tool that might be yours..." I used cheap yellow spray paint instead of that yellow, so maybe I just didn't go bright enough.

Anonymous said...

Your paint job is pristine. They look like new tools.

I have the same problem. I call it gardening ADD. I see I'm not alone. Truthfully I find that if I can sprinkle some fun between my more utilitarian tasks, my mood is much improved. That is, until I discover that my shovel is MIA.

I thought about colored tape but I doubt it would last and there'd be that sticky residue... Paint, screaming yellow looks like the answer. Great post, as usual KeeWee.

Anonymous said...

During the late fall and early winter as the garden is being cleaned up, we find trowels and assorted tools everywhere.

A friend of mine put mail boxes up around her yard to stash her tools but I don't think I would take the time to put them in there.

Lavender said...

LOL You being a Kiwi transplanted to the US, and me being a Yank transplanted to Australia - what a small world, eh? Thanks for stopping by my place and saying hi -I will enjoy watching a proper Spring get underway via your blog! Cheers!

Gardeness said...

Great idea! They look spankin' new, too. My tools have red handles but are so grubby now they blend in ... especially when I completely cover them with soil.

lynn'sgarden said...

Hi Keewee, I have the same problem with my garden gloves..I once found one at the bottom of a pot when replacing last year's soil! I love the bright yellow paint idea, now your eyes can't miss it.
Lynn

Joseph said...

All my tools have bright red handles... but that doesn't help, because they are only red when they are clean, and they only stay clean for a few minutes...

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I try so hard to keep up with my tools but I often misplace them too. I have a favorite pair of garden scissors that I've managed to keep up with for several years now.

Regarding the Picasa3: I still have a computer that runs on Windows and it works for me!

Rusty in Miami said...

I have the same problem and I like your solution. Thanks for stopping by my blog

tina said...

This is really an excellent idea. I always lose my little spades! One day I was so panicked I just couldn't handle it and almost went and bought more spades. Then I managed to find them-both of them. I have some yellow paint, I can see them in that bright color as it would be most helpful. What a great idea!