[FOB]

Hi guys,

We have a load of these metal-pipe-laddery-thingys (I don't actually know what they are!) and was wondering if you have any good ideas of what to do with them?

We have 12, some two-rung ones, and some three-rung. They were left on our allotment plot when we were given it.

I was thinking about laying them flat on the ground & planting herbs in each segment- but will rust harm the plants?

Any ideas for what to do with them will be more than welcome

[FOB]

More pics.

[sunshineband]

Rust wouldn't harm the plants, but you might find that large rust flakes in the soil might make holes in your fingers  

[Trillium]

You could stick them into the ground on end, space them out a bit, then stretch netting across the front and use as a wind barrier for delicate crops in spring.

Or stand them on end to support butterfly netting over brassicas.

[Auntiemogs]

Welllll...and you did ask...I'd sink some steel bar and use that to help support them (through the hollow bottoms of the legs) and then get some scaffolding boards and build a ladder garden, growing beans/squash up the legs...

[jrko]

ladder garden for sure!  Its a great way of getting access to both sides of the crop and keeping most of the nasties away as they are off the ground.  Strawberries in grow bags covered by netting would be my favourite.

Alternatively you could join them all together to make a huge ladder, clime up and find out who's in charge of the weather and give them a god talking to :happy:

[Plot 7]

they look like they are a portable access tower or part of one. Assemble and grow some thing up them Captain Mainwaring Sir.

[compostqueen]

Could they be weighed in for cash to spend on something you'd like for your plot ? 

[jamima]

My thought s to Compostqueen

[Flatcat]

I'd definately go for the weighing in 

I'm all for reusing things, but when it is something looking that bad and has the possible chance to cause harm to yourself or the land around I'd be strongly inclined to get rid.

Flakey rusty metal like that really isn't good bacuase you don't want to catch bare skin on it, and when it flakes off it just gets everywhere in the soil.

They might have nasties still inside if they were, say piping from something

Damon

[Goosegirl]

They might have nasties still inside if they were, say piping from something
Damon

..like slugs and snails! :blink:

[richie]

definatly scaffolding.........dont feel you ave to use them straight away just put them away and one day they will be perfect for something.

[fatcat1955]

They are cut down ladder beams. Scaffolders use them to span openings, they are usually 12ft long.