Monday, August 13, 2012

::Using What you Have:: T-shirts in the Garden



On Sunday, August 5... I told you how our garden was still growing. The photos I used were at that time about 1 WEEK OLD PHOTOS.


You may have noticed in the picture below...that flash of red in the back ground of this picture...Well it's a Melon Hammock!


I also showed you how the Cantaloupe was putting fruit on the vine again. The photo below shows the Cantaloupe just left of center...








Back to the RED flash of color in the back ground... it's a T-shirt. See I didn't have any panty hose so I used an old T-shirt. For what you might ask?



See that little cantaloupe in the above picture?


Now, check it out below!!!



Now this picture is from this morning ~~so this is almost 3 weeks since the previous photo was snapped.  That Cantaloupe has gotten huge! 

The problem is: this vine has grown all along the fence (placed there to keep the chickens out) ...but I had a couple of melons fall from the vine before they ripened fully, because they were just too heavy. So I made some little Melon Hammocks.


Here is how I did it. If you don't need explanation I don't mind if you just scroll through the photos...but if you do, there is a little bit help for you! I need pictures and words sometimes!  :) 



This is a T-SHIRT SLEEVE. I cut it from the t-shirt... and cut it open. Then I cut 3 slits in the sides right, left and in the curve...These are for tying to the fence. I also cut random slits for 'GIVE' and 'AIR FLOW'


The knot in the rounded part gives it a little cupping affect. You'll see in a moment.



Here is the little melon I showed you up top.





I've used the slits from the sides and tied the sleeve to the fence. If you look in between my thumb and forefinger you'll see the knot...designed to cradle the little melon. Vio`la!





There it is chillin out in the sun! Nice and snug in it's little melon hammock! Hopefully, it will avoid premature drop!


As it grows the random slits will allow for expansion and stretch to give the fruit ample room to grow.






There you have it. A simple, FREE way to support your fruit in the garden.

Does anybody even wear panty hose anymore? Of course I recycled all the old pairs I had...so, this T-shirt was the next best thing!

LINKING IN AT HOMESTEAD REVIVAL






Deborah Jean's Dandelion House

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Philippians 4:23 

 

17 comments:

Yolanda Ronaldo said...

Great idea!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

very clever Patricia! :) love the little hammocks!

gail

Sunny Simple Life said...

I envy you those big beautiful melons. Great idea!!

Lisa said...

LOVE THIS IDEA! My Pumpkins got so big they just rolled off the vine and right into the deers mouths! lol! I am so doing this! thanks for the great idea!

Jocelyn said...

Yep, it's all about using what you have, I agree. I use my husband's old worksocks as ties. I just cut them up into strips and cut them open, and they are a great and flexible tie.

Also use pantyhose, but I admit, I don't wear it anymore. I go buy the really cheap stuff from the dollar store.

Anonymous said...

I did the same using the mesh bags leftover from onions and potatoes

Mecky said...

That is a great idea!!! I am going to remember that.
I left you a comment back on my blog. Thank you so much for your comment. You are so right!!

Chicken Wrangler said...

Very creative! Smart and thrifty, as well!

Kathy Bradshaw said...

How clever watermelon hammocks.Stopping by to say Hi from the blog hop. Come visit sometime, tea is cold and no shoes are required. Kathy B. http://www.southernmadeintheshade.blogspot.com New follower from Austin TX

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a great garden you have, Pat! And I love the sling idea!

Sandy said...

That's so clever and cute! I haven't worn pantyhose in years. Don't miss wearing them either. I wear slacks all the time for comfort now - no heels either. Flat shoes only.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I love this idea - that's so clever. Pantyhose is such a funny word!! We don't have it in England...or if we do then it's in..ahem...a certain kind of book!!!! ;-)

I bet those melons are going to be YUMMY!!

Sarahx

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Well, look at that! Oh, you are soooo lucky to grow your own fruits and veges. Just today my brother dropped off a bag of T-shirts, When I talked to him yesterday, he said he was cleaning out clothes and he was going to get rid of a lot of old T shirts...WOOO, I said don't throw them out, I use them all of the time for painting and waxing....Yohoo, I have a whole bag full, wish you lived closer, I'd share!

Carol

momto8 said...

that is a great idea!!! I did not know what to do when the fruit got so heavy....I would try and bend the fence!
thanks..too late this yr..but I will definitely remember for next yr.

Marianne said...

Haha, that lemon is having a better life than I have, lounging in a hammock all day. Great thinking and wonderful repurposing. Love it!

Bliss said...

I'm not sure it's ok to say nice melons, but I'm gonna anyway.

~Bliss~

Revi said...

Hey Pat! This is a new one on me. Of course, I've never lived on a farm or grown many fruits or vegetables, so that's not saying much! My neighbor across the street has grown cantaloupes the past few years and she weaves the vines through a chain link fence so they grow vertically. I don't know if it helps with premature dropping or not, though. I've got some catching up to do. :)
-Revi