I received so much interest in my video and blog post where I shared all about the kitchen treasures that I like to hunt for at the thrift shop, the junk shop, and even from the garbage. So now I am going to share with you all my favorite kitchen garden treasures that I hunt for at…you guessed it…the thrift store, the junk shop…and best of all, the garbage! And most of my kitchen garden treasures are actually from the garbage!
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Where Can You Find Kitchen Garden Treasures?
When it comes to searching for items for my kitchen garden, it will come as no surprise to many of you who have been with me for a while that there are three main places I like to shop:
- Thrift Stores – for gently used items
- Junk Shops – for those items in need of a little TLC
- The Garbage – for things others think are useless, but we gardeners know better
When it comes to starting or maintaining a kitchen garden, the less you can spend on supplies means the more you have in your budget for actual seeds and plants. So whenever you need something to help you in your kitchen garden, don’t run to your local garden shop or hardware store. Check the garbage first! 😉
Thrift Store Garden Treasures
I love perusing in a good thrift store, and I always have my eyes open for certain items that I can use in my kitchen garden. I won’t spoil the surprises I have in store for you in my video, but I will give you a hint…
You may actually find one of the items I hunt for in your own junk drawer! (I’m referring to that drawer you throw bits and bobs into that you just don’t know where else to put.) I take this little item and put it to such a clever use in my kitchen garden that the next time you see one at the thrift store, I know you’ll want to grab it!
Junk Shop Garden Treasures
Next to finding things for free in the garbage, junk shops are one of my favorite places to shop. These are those little stores that are generally independently owned and often on the outskirts of small towns.
For a few dollars, you can often go home with a host of garden treasures ready to put to good use. Might a few things be broken or chipped? Maybe. But so what! You are going to be using these things outside. And usually, whatever minor imperfections these items might have, they can often be mended and cleaned with a bit of glue and elbow grease!
Garbage Garden Treasures
When it comes to the garbage, a whole host of garden treasures await you! Just keep in mind that many towns and cities today have ordinances against taking things out of other people’s trash! I know—crazy—but it’s true!
But no need to fret. If you see things being thrown out in your neighborhood that you think you could use in your kitchen garden (or even your kitchen, for that matter), don’t be shy. Ask your neighbors if they would be willing to let you have what they are throwing out.
I’ll give you a little preview of what I have found from the garbage, which is one of the most useful garden treasures: thick, long bamboo sticks. These often come with plants in pots as temporary stakes. But once planted, these stakes are often thrown out. But guess what? They make great supports for tomato plants, string beans, and any other plants that like to climb.
More Thrifting Videos
Do you love to go thrifting, or as I like to call it, “junking?” Well, I have a video that you are going to love! Come join me as I share my top 10 kitchen treasures from…you guessed it…the thrift store, the junk shop, and the garbage!
And when it comes to being thrifting, in the video below, I share some of my favorite thrifty kitchen tips so you can work toward creating a no-waste kitchen.
And speaking of kitchen gardens, did you know that you can grow vegetables and herbs from scraps? Yes, it’s true! And I show you how to grow 10 varieties. This approach costs you nothing, and you will have a recurring harvest of food that you can bring into your kitchen to create tasty and nourishing meals.
Garden Tour Videos
Take a tour of my kitchen garden (or Potager) as I replant after our terrible Texas winter storm.
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In the following members-only live stream replay, I talk about Discovering the Benefits of Traditional Foods and Medicinal Herbs. (We also talked about the winter weather we experienced in Central Texas in February 2021!)
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Favorite Gardening Supplies
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Whisk
- Silica Gel Packets (Helps keep moisture from building up in your mix)
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
- Fat Separator (Clever kitchen device to help you decant bone broth)
- Flour Sack Towels
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Recommended Reading
- Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of A Misspent Life: How to live creatively with collections, clutter, work, kids, pets, art, etc… and stop worrying about everything being perfectly in its place
