32 cheapskate handy hints for the outdoors

We like to set tiki torches around our patio in the backyard. But the ground is rock hard, so it’s not easy to push them in, and I didn’t want to remove them every time I had to mow. I came up with this solution: I cut 130mm-long pieces of PVC pipe to hold the torches and used a maul and a block of wood to pound them into the ground. (I had to pull them out a couple of times during the process to dig out the clag plugs.) Now I just slip the torches in and out of the sleeves, and I can mow right over the PVD holders without a problem. – Doug Russ

Do you have a noisy drip coming from the drainpipe that’s driving you nuts? I discovered an easy way to stop the drip – just push a kitchen sponge into the bottom of the downspout. It’ll muffle the dripping noise without blocking the water flow. – Susan Dahl

My wife and I love to watch our grandkids play outdoor sports. To escape the hot sun, we always take along our large golf umbrella. The umbrella shades both our chairs, but holding it the whole game gets tiring. I came up with this simple umbrella holder, which clamps right to the lawn chair. Bolt a piece of 4mm PVC to the chair and secure it with a one metre hose clamp. It works great, and all you have to remember is to collapse the umbrella when you get up or a sudden breeze will blow it over. – Joseph Connell

Need a way to haul branches over to your fire pit? Carrying them in your arms is dirty work and trying to stuff them into a plastic bag is awkward. Try using a sturdy plastic shopping bag with handles. Slit the sides, lay it flat, and fill it with branches and small logs. It loads easily and lets you carry wood without getting your clothes full of sap or mud.

We love growing fresh vegetables in our large garden, but we hate all the dirt that comes inside when we pick them. My husband came up with this great veggie washer. Drill holes in the bottom and sides of an 18L bucket with a 15mm spade bit. Place your fresh-picked veggies in the bucket and hose them off before you bring them inside. The dirt and sand stay out in the garden and only the veggies end up in your kitchen. – Linda Blain

Here’s a beautiful idea for sprucing up the crotch of a tree. Make yourself a shady plant shelf! Just measure the gap and cut your shelving to fit. Cut a notch in each side of your board so that it “hugs” the tree and sits securely. Set your shelf gently inside the crotch of your tree, place your shade-loving plants on it and enjoy your blooms all season long.

I don’t want to stop mowing the lawn just to run into the house for a drink of water, so I attached a bicycle water bottle holder to the mower arm. Now I fill up the bottle at the start and take my water breaks without breaking my stride. – Bill Magazzina

If you’re having a graduation party or some other occasional event out in the yard, you may require extra electricity. Here’s a great way to keep extension cord plugs dry. Cut notches in the opposite sides of a reusable plastic container and snap on the lid. Your plugs will stay dry if it happens to rain or the ground is moist.

My mower is now a pleasure to use thanks to the pipe insulation taped to the handle. I used to get numb hands and blisters (we have a big yard!) from the bare metal handle. Make sure the insulation doesn’t interfere with your auto-shutoff bar, if you have one. – Joe Eisenbraun

Before I mow, I usually go around and pick up fallen twigs and other debris. Inevitably, I miss some and have to stop and pick it up. To solve the problem, I attached a wastebasket to my mower. Now when wrappers, cans and sticks suddenly appear, I can stuff them into my basket and keep moving. – Jared Reiners