by Texas Homesteader ~
Repurposing things to new life is one of my superpowers. I’m often able to fill a need (quite nicely) using what I already have at home. And you can too!
I’m sharing a whole list of ideas below. Check it out!
Items No Good For Intended Use Are Good For A Different Use
We had an old hay ring that wasn’t very helpful these days for feeding the cattle. Years of use had caused it to be missing some of the top retainer rings.
So we turned it upside down and placed it around the tree. This would allow the cows to poke their heads in & eat the grass close to the tree but not be able to reach the tree itself.
Then I thought about all the times I was able to fill a need here on the Homestead using what I already had here.
Below are a few ideas, the colored links will take you to a post for more detailed information on each one.
Using What You Already Have To Fill A Need
For The Animals
Old 5-gallon buckets to carry feed
Empty 30-gallon protein buckets for Large Chicken Water System
Repurposing For The Garden
30-gallon protein buckets repurposed for Garden Raised Beds
Twigs to prop tender seedlings on windy days
Old galvanized Tub for Rustic Blueberry Planting
Empty Clay Pots benefit the garden
Coffee cans help with Garden Harvest
Milk Jugs to start seeds easier
Cardboard Tube make free biodegradable pots
Hugelkultur for making your own soil
Trough for Watering Tree during drought
30-Gallon Empty Buckets for holding additional captured rainwater
Fallen Leaves for free soil amendment
Indestructible Raised Bed using a small riding lawnmower tire
Old Straw Bales to preserve moisture in the garden
Large-Mouth Plastic Jars for deep-soak watering for potted plants
Repurposing Items In The Kitchen
Cardboard Tubes to tame electric cords
Coffee can to Cute Flour Canister
Pretty Gingham Napkins from old tablecloth
Dish Carrier from old denim jeans
Rubber Bands to help open tight jar lids
Canning Rings to expand muffin tin capacity
Water Bottles for long-lasting cooler ice
Old Clean Sock Bands for keeping food packages closed
Salt spout for mason jar Pourable Sugar Jar
Parmesan cheese container for free Mason Jar Flip-Top Lid
Milk crates for secure Mason Jar Storage
Repurposing For Décor
Cute Throw Pillow using a flannel shirt
Romantic Porch Lantern from flip-top jar
Reclaimed wood Photo Wall Feature
Reclaimed barn Rustic Wood Headboard
Old blue jeans into Cute Denim Baskets
Other Repurposing Ideas
Heavy woven commercial plastic bag for Tractor Canopy
Repurposed denim Pocket Warmers
Old candles into Pinecone Fire Starters
Sock bands for Ponytail Hair Elastic
Cardboard strips for Protecting Stored Boots
Yogurt jars for Beeswax Candles
Paintbrush in a pinch using Clothespin & Scrap Cotton
Cute Gift Box using an old greeting card
Repurposed mint container for Safer Straight Pin Storage
Mesh Bags for cleaning
Oversize pill compartment container for Travel Bag Organization
Cardboard Egg Carton Fire Starters
Old socks into Cute Fingerless Gloves
Sentimental Window valance using Grandma’s Vintage Dresser Scarf
Old barbed wire into rustic Wall Cross Decorations
Repurposing Saves Money (and the environment!)
Repurposing items to another use is not only good for the environment but good for the budget as well.
~TxH~
This post categorized in 
Other ‘Use Whatcha Got’ Ideas
- Make A Cute Porch Lantern
- Assuring Safety Around An Underground Cistern
- Repurposing An Empty Parmesan Cheese Container – BRILLIANT!
- MYO Simple Craft Paintbrush In A Pinch
- Replacing Our Bedside Clock/Radio
- Predator Guard For Our Martin House
- Trick Birds Away From Garden Strawberries
- Protecting Tender Seedlings
- Safer Straight-Pin Storage
- Tame Electrical Cords
- Save Your Fingernails When Cleaning
- MYO Chalkboard Labels
- Keeping Boots Stored Neatly
- How Leaves Benefit Your Garden
- Pretty Wax-Dipped Pinecone Fire Starters
- All ‘Use Whatcha Got’ Posts
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Way to be resourceful – good for you!! Thanks for sharing, girl!! 🙂
“hugs” Crystelle
Awwwww… I hope it makes it. Sounds like a fighter to me.
I lived on a farm when I was little, and we had a pear orchard. I have always loved pears as a consequence. Barbed wire kept our cattle at bay. I have to smile at their determination to rub the railing and yours to stabilize it. Surely the little tree knows you love it and will provide pears for you for years to come!
xo
Sheila
Although sometimes I question my methods, I planted this tree in a pen we use to sort and transfer cows so it gets a fairly high volume of traffic. Barbed wire was going to be my second choice but it would just have to be large enough to circle this tree. Thankfully we had this ring and it wasn’t being used for anything else. It sure works perfectly here! ~TxH~
Such a good idea! I’m glad you found such a great solution. I like how it gives the tree lots of room to grow.
I’m definitely cheering for the tree! Go tree! And cheers for the repurposing too 🙂
You are so very inventive! I love re-purposing because I really hate to see things get wasted and like you say it saves money too! Good Job!
This made me smile! Hope the little tree does well now!
Poor little tree! I hope it makes it and gives you lots and lots of pears! 🙂
We have a dwarf Kieffer Pear tree and it REALLY produces and I love the pears, crisp like an apple! We had to put corral panels around our Arizona Ash tree down by the barn to keep the horses and goats from eating it.
Yes Candy I’m hearing that these pears are delicious & crisp. RancherMan absolutely L-O-V-E-S my pear preserves & I’m hoping this tree will provide him with much happiness… ~TxH~
Our neighbor has a Keifer from back when his house was the farmhouse for this area. It seems to be impervious to disease and bugs. The fruit is hard but juicy and delicious. I froze chunks of the pears and that worked well. I love their tree and hope I plant one some day.
You don’t know how much I love to hear you say that! This little tree really needs a helping hand to be planted in this soil apparently… ~TxH~
Did you plant a Kiefer pear? How did you choose the variety. It is obviously a tough pear.
Judy, I kept the tag & would have to look it up but it seems like it was a Keifer. I contacted my local extension agent (pure GOLD in my opinion) and asked for varieties that do best in my part of NE Texas. Whatever she recommended is what I went with. It is a tough little tree. ~TxH~
Oh my goodness!
I had a chuckle at this for a couple of reasons. 1) been there and done that. Trying to get fruit trees to grow–Not the easiest of homesteading tasks!
2.) while I like to repurpose as much as the next homesteader (I know nothing about HAY RINGS (old or new)…so question. Does that thing come a part? If not, how will you remove it once the tree is big enough to ‘STAND ALONE’… like the proverbial cheese?
Now you see why I had a chuckle…. because my mind just takes off like a run away train, sometimes.
Pat
LOL Patricia! Yes, the hay ring bolts into 3 sections so it will be easy to remove once the tree is big enough to hold its own. Thanks for giving me my own little chuckle this morning… ~TxH~
That’s funny…the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw the picture was exactly the same! Great minds think alike, LOL!