"When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves." -- Ken DruseThe past few weeks have been busy with yard and garden cleanup at my house, and as I was running around from one end of the yard to the other, I was all the more appreciative of the gardening accessories that I've rigged up for myself over the years.There's nothing more frustrating than working your way around the yard, and having to spend most of your time hunting down your tools at every turn, or having to make several trips back to the garden shed.To ease similar frustrations for gardeners everywhere, I happily share one of my favorite garden tote projects.This clever (if I do so say so myself) idea will nurture your gardening needs in an organized, contained and portable way.It all starts with a golf bag and a cart. You'll be well on your way to creating a handy-dandy garden-tool caddy for yourself.There are a couple of different ways to go about it:The simpler (and less original) approach is to use your golf bag and readymade golf-bag cart with wheels to tote your tools around.The more expandable approach is to use a two-wheeled dolly or cart and a golf bag or two.Choose a dolly that's easy to maneuver, not too heavy and has the right kind of wheels for your yard's terrain.Most dollies have crossbars across the back, and this is where you can easily customize your cart by drilling holes and adding S-hooks and eye bolts.Doing this will extend your storage options.I always try to keep my holes and additions on the higher crossbars of the cart because as you tilt the cart down to move it, items attached to lower bars will drag along the ground. Various sized bungee cords are also an option when it comes to hanging some of your smaller garden tools or hoses from the cart.On the dolly platform or the front side of the cart is where you'll place an empty golf bag.Thrift stores and yard sales are the perfect places to find inexpensive bags.The size of your platform will determine the number and size of bags that will fit.I have a standard-sized dolly cart, and I have enough room for a regular-sized bag and a junior bag for the tools with shorter handles or some of my daughter's gardening tools. To secure the bags to your cart, use a leather belt or luggage strap.You can use the golf bag's pockets and pouches to hold garden gloves, insect repellent, seed packets and many other small supplies. Both the readymade golf-bag cart and the dolly cart options will glide across your "greens" with ease, keeping all your different garden tools close at hand and ready for action.(Michele Beschen is creator of the "B. Original" series for the DIY Network. Contact her by e-mail: Michele(at)couragetocreate.com, or visit www.diynetwork.com. For more stories, visit scrippsnews.com.)
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