Sometimes you don't have to pay anything for stuff. A lot of local folks will leave stuff that's still usable beside the dumpster instead of tossing it in. Rural recycling, if you will.
For instance, this iron hook—maybe to hang a plant from—was sitting beside the dumpster a few weeks ago.
It needs painting, but it's usable—and much to good to throw away. Yesterday, several folks were at the dumpsters. One guy took a flower pot from his trunk and sat it in front of the dumpster.
"I can use that," I said.
He handed it to me and answered, "I've got more. Want 'em?"
I did. I came home with three clay pots (one painted) a small ceramic one with a chip on its rim (but still usable), two large fiberglass pots, two plastic window boxes, and a few plastic pots.
All will be handy when I do some transplanting before long. While they're not perfect, they're still usable—too good to throw away.
And the price was right.
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