Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: FOB on June 05, 2012, 18:45

Title: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: FOB on June 05, 2012, 18:45

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 :)

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: FOB on June 05, 2012, 18:46

More pics.

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: sunshineband on June 05, 2012, 19:02

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

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: Trillium on June 05, 2012, 19:08

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.

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: Auntiemogs on June 05, 2012, 19:10

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... ::)

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: jrko on June 06, 2012, 08:10

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:

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: Plot 7 on June 06, 2012, 08:51

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

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: compostqueen on June 06, 2012, 11:50

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

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: jamima on June 06, 2012, 12:20

My thought s to Compostqueen

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: Flatcat on June 07, 2012, 16:56

I'd definately go for the weighing in  8)

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

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: Goosegirl on July 16, 2012, 12:56

Quote from: Flatcat on June 07, 2012, 16:56

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

..like slugs and snails! :blink:

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: richie on July 25, 2012, 22:33

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

Title: Re: Any idea what we can do with these?
Post by: fatcat1955 on August 18, 2012, 23:49

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