Delving into the world of gardening with a plethora of well-worn, hand-me-down tools, Lauren Carvalho is a seasoned gardener who knows the ins and outs of determining when it’s time to bid adieu to your trusty gardening companions. With a wealth of experience under her belt, Carvalho sheds light on the significance of recognizing whether a garden tool can be salvaged through some tender love and care or if it’s reached the end of its useful life. As the horticultural manager at High Country Gardens, she imparts valuable insights to Southern Living on the art of discerning between tools worth preserving and those that warrant retirement.
The Expert in Focus
Lauren Carvalho, the esteemed Horticultural Manager at High Country Gardens, is a seasoned professional with a keen eye for maintaining and disposing of garden tools effectively.
Knowing When to Bid Farewell to Garden Tools
So, how does one determine the appropriate time to bid farewell to a garden tool? Carvalho emphasizes the importance of discarding tools that pose a safety risk due to wear and tear or damage. She underscores the necessity of replacing worn-out implements that are beyond repair, urging gardeners to exercise prudence in assessing each tool individually before discarding them.
Carvalho elucidates that not all broken tools need to find their way to the trash and advocates for a case-by-case evaluation to ascertain if salvaging them is feasible. She underscores the transformative power of a little tender loving care, pointing out that handles can often be repaired or replaced, blades sharpened, and joints lubricated to extend the lifespan of a cherished garden tool.
Can Old Tools be Recycled?
While advocating for the recycling of old gardening tools, Carvalho acknowledges the emotional attachment that often accompanies these beloved companions. She recounts a personal anecdote involving a cherished shovel that had seen better days, acknowledging the sentimental value attached to well-used tools. Despite the reluctance to part ways with her faithful shovel, Carvalho showcases a creative approach to recycling its components, breathing new life into each part.
Recycling her beloved shovel became a symbolic act of repurposing its components, with the metal parts finding a new purpose at a salvage yard and the wooden handle being transformed into a pole for a solitary bee house—an initiative close to Carvalho’s heart. By reallocating the shovel’s components to meaningful projects that reignited their value, she found herself ready to embark on a journey to acquire a new shovel, marking a poignant transition from old to new.
For individuals seeking to update their aging tools, Carvalho recommends exploring local resources for proper disposal and recycling options. She highlights the availability of facilities that accept metal and plastic tool parts for recycling, while also mentioning Home Depot as a reliable destination for disposing of non-functional power tool batteries in an environmentally responsible manner.
In a world where sustainability and resourcefulness are paramount, Carvalho’s insights serve as
