Trying to maneuver a large pot is very tricky, potentially dangerous, and just plain uncomfortable - you risk injury to yourself, your pot, and/or your plant. I have a sprained ankle right now (and for the past 12 years), and I need to be careful with my footing. Getting my legs near a pot could cause me to twist my ankle again, and I'm sure my orthopedist would have a fit since I just had an MRI a week ago. If I had a trick back, I definitely wouldn't be able to move some of the pots in my yard - some are very slippery with no place for a good hold and weigh more than 150 lbs.
I first saw the Pot Lifter on an episode of "Gardening by the Yard" and loved it! Then I saw the price and was a bit surprised. I'm not doubting the construction or the relative value, but I can find a large dolly at the pawn shop for the same amount of cash. And I'm cheap when it comes to gardening gadgets. Plus it seemed a bit limited in size.
I also saw an episode of "from Martha's garden" where the producers must have convinced Martha to try climbing a tree with an experienced arborist. I don't know that much about knots, so I'm easily amazed when it comes to how useful and versatile they can be. However, despite how awesome it was to watch Martha Stewart try to climb a tree (and I can't say I would have done any better to be honest), the knot the arborist used was even more awesome!
So combining the Pot Lifter idea and the knots, I managed to create my own pot lifter/hauler for $3. I taught myself the knot and can make one of these rigs in about 15 minutes. It's super easy and incredibly useful especially if you have a lot of large, bulky pots that you might need to bring inside for the winter or severe weather. You can potentially make your own for free if you can get your own rope without paying a dime.
The bonus is that it's adjustable and can move more than pots! You can haul lots of stuff!
I first saw the Pot Lifter on an episode of "Gardening by the Yard" and loved it! Then I saw the price and was a bit surprised. I'm not doubting the construction or the relative value, but I can find a large dolly at the pawn shop for the same amount of cash. And I'm cheap when it comes to gardening gadgets. Plus it seemed a bit limited in size.
I also saw an episode of "from Martha's garden" where the producers must have convinced Martha to try climbing a tree with an experienced arborist. I don't know that much about knots, so I'm easily amazed when it comes to how useful and versatile they can be. However, despite how awesome it was to watch Martha Stewart try to climb a tree (and I can't say I would have done any better to be honest), the knot the arborist used was even more awesome!
So combining the Pot Lifter idea and the knots, I managed to create my own pot lifter/hauler for $3. I taught myself the knot and can make one of these rigs in about 15 minutes. It's super easy and incredibly useful especially if you have a lot of large, bulky pots that you might need to bring inside for the winter or severe weather. You can potentially make your own for free if you can get your own rope without paying a dime.
The bonus is that it's adjustable and can move more than pots! You can haul lots of stuff!
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials
You will need:
- Two Longer Bicycle Inner Tubes (cut to 24" or 61cm each)
- Two Shorter Bicycle Inner Tubes (cut to 11" or 28cm each)
You can find bicycle inner tubes for free at a place that does bicycle repairs or perhaps any specialty bike shop.
- Two Hollowed Pieces of Bamboo (11" or 28cm each)
I used bamboo because I have a good amount of it in my backyard. You do not need to use bamboo - you just need something that is tubular and has a comfortable grip for your handles such as PVC pipe.
- Two Longer Ropes (154" or 391cm each)
- Two Shorter Ropes (61" or 155cm each)
This is some leftover rope that I bought at Home Depot. You won't need a whole bundle. I taped and singed the ends.
Note: These are the measurements of the materials I used. Your measurements do not need to exactly match mine, but remember you can cut things shorter, not longer.
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I made one today for my mom and we tested it out: she likes it very much.
I found the short cord measurement to be much longer than needed. Otherwise, everything worked as advertised. :D
Thanks again.
The shorter ropes are a bit on the long side depending on the pot size, but the knots can be tied closer and retied later. Or maybe I just have enormous pots. :P
Thanks so much for letting me know!
"Send the longer ropes through the shorter tubes and the shorter ropes through the shorter tubes."
I assume you meant to put one pair of the lengths through the longer tubes, but I'll need to re-read and look at the pix to see which. :D
"Send the longer ropes through the longer tubes and the shorter ropes through the shorter tubes."
Which is exactly what you thought it should say, so I corrected the second step. Ah well...
I hope you find it helpful for winter preparations! I'm hauling my plants in the garage next week, and it's going to be VERY helpful for that cactus pot and a number of others that are spectacularly awkward and heavy.
Congratulations!
This should be interesting.
I usually have lots of rope around as it is the dog's FAVOURITE TOY EVER. Some days I'll make an 'Ible on how to use crochet technique and heavy rope to make the best toys in the universe (according to big dogs who destroy toys).