Asked on Sep 30, 2013

Old garden hose reel and a 39 year old wheel barrow

Angelia Sanders
by Angelia Sanders
This is my first DIY project and I'm wondering what should I do with both items. I remember at the age of 7 or 8 I cut myself on the leg while pushing this wheel barrow and still have the scar to show for it. So this project is special to me.
Wheel Barrow
  12 answers
  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Oct 01, 2013
    What about planting the wheelbarrow? I love what @Barb Rosen did with hers: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/my-wheelbarrow-planter-511859
  • Angelia Sanders Angelia Sanders on Oct 01, 2013
    Thanks Miriam! That was my first thought just trying to decide what types of flowers to go with.
  • I would suggest cleaning up the bottom of the wheelbarrow and painting it with either that new rubber sealant spray paint or rubberized bed liner. I have an antique wagon I planted directly in for a couple years and nearly rotted out the bottom so now I put pots in it. I saved it by spray painting sealant especially since you love this wheelbarrow!
  • Sharon P Sharon P on Oct 01, 2013
    plant a cactus garden...I used my daughter Red Flyer wagon and it's in my garden now...don't paint it though.
    • Mary Weets Mary Weets on Oct 02, 2013
      @Sharon P That's what I did also, plus drilled 3 drain holes so it would drain, intend to bring it to the basement soon.
  • Keith Keith on Oct 01, 2013
    The reel part of the hose reel looks like it would make a great looking base for something.. maybe cut a round top (just a little bigger than the reel), cover it with mosaic tile and then place potted plants/flowers on it?? Good luck with your project!
  • Ellen Whitehead Ellen Whitehead on Oct 02, 2013
    I bought this old wheelbarrow at a garage sale, painted it and plan to use it for seasonal décor. Here's my harvest wheelbarrow. (PS - I am going to paint the wheel to look like a daisy next spring!)
  • Angelia Sanders Angelia Sanders on Oct 02, 2013
    Thanks everyone for the great ideals...can't wait to show the finished DIY project. So excited!!!!
  • Carol Carol on Oct 02, 2013
    I would use the reel as the front wheel and mount the hose reel handle as the wheel barrow handle . Then I would attach the hose reel base to the end of the barrow and use it as a planter. I would rubber coat the wheel barrow so the water and soil doesn't eat through it.
  • Joanna Carrisal Joanna Carrisal on Oct 02, 2013
    I would take the reel off the hose holder and make an outdoor lighting project. Add some cool Christmas lights to it. It would be beautiful hanging over a country table. The wheel barrow needs to be sanded, primed and painted. It would look amazing on the front porch for seasonal flower pots.
  • 153091 153091 on Oct 03, 2013
    I have a similiar hose reel and I hung it on a post near our outdoor water spiket and wrap the garden hose around the wheel, also hang my small garden tools, and a piece of nylon stocking with a bar of lava soap knotted inside and a small hand towel...VERY HANDY ITEM!...and wonderful country look!
  • Angelia Sanders Angelia Sanders on Oct 03, 2013
    @Carol... What a great ideal. I can truly picture that. Thanks
  • Jean DeSavage Jean DeSavage on Oct 05, 2013
    I planted a very old rusty wheelbarrow this year with a dark red coleus, dark blue lobelia, and yellow calabrachoa. I never even gave a thought about using anything in the bottom of my barrow because it is already holey from rust. I realize it won't last a long time, but I will try to patch it as I need to. I only paid a pittance for it and it makes my yard look so neat!