Allotments 4 All

General => Top Tips => Topic started by: BAK on December 19, 2007, 09:47:28

Title: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: BAK on December 19, 2007, 09:47:28: We are not allowed to have sheds which means that we have to cart stuff back and forth.

We have been using a tough plastic bag to carry gloves, trowels, secateurs, knives, string, ties, kneeling mat, etc etc. One bag usually lasts a year. Unfortunately, our supply is drying up and Godiva (yummy Belgian chocolate maker) does not do them anymore.

Any ideas for a good rugged replacement, preferably non-plastic?
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Rob the rake on December 19, 2007, 09:54:11: One of those long canvas bags that builders use ought to do it. Not quite sure where you would get one though, a builder might be able to tell you!
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: cambourne7 on December 19, 2007, 09:56:06: I have an old hamper case for my seeds, and although i have a shed i dont leave 2 much up there because of break ins and vandalism. I have a collapsable basket in the back of the car i put things in.

If i was walking or cycling up i would hide them in my compost bin. No help i know.

Its been suggested in the past to use tugs with wheels that you pull along behind you, something like
http://www.gardenxtras.com/catalogue.asp?catcode=17

As an alternative bag, what about the ikea ones they sell at the checkout?
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Kea on December 19, 2007, 10:44:30: Yes I've got an Ikea bag for carrying allotment stuff.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Cuke on December 19, 2007, 11:05:32: How about a nicely sized rucksack, especially good if you walk to your plot...
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: euronerd on December 19, 2007, 11:32:04: Canvas shoulder bags did the trick for me in the early years. I had two actually, a big one when I was there for the day and a smaller one for flying visits.

Geoff.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: powerspade on December 21, 2007, 08:16:12: I use a shopping trolly
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Lauren S on December 21, 2007, 09:27:13: How about one of those checked shopping bags people use to take laundry to the laundramat
I use two Sainsbury's *Bags for Life*, the orange ones because they are big, strong and can be washed easily :)
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Hyacinth on December 22, 2007, 14:11:29: ......you don't want nylon, but howzabout those holdalls they sell.....like any other holdall for sports wear etc? that incorporate wheels & a retractable trolley handle?

I was SO impressed with these, I bought one...£10 I paid, at my local indoor market.....

......didn't really need another weekend bag..........but they'd gottit in PINK

;D 8)
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: newbies on December 22, 2007, 14:56:10: Pink is not to be sniffed at, nobody nicks pink bags, and, you can always find it sitting there in the dark. :D
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Lauren S on December 22, 2007, 16:14:08: My lottie trug is also pink and yes, nobody would think to take it and it's very easily spotted in the dark ;D

(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/ElleEss_photos/November1st2007003.jpg)
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: louise stella on December 22, 2007, 22:05:48: Quote from: Lauren S on December 22, 2007, 16:14:08
My lottie trug is also pink and yes, nobody would think to take it and it's very easily spotted in the dark ;D

(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/ElleEss_photos/November1st2007003.jpg)

I've got one of them - trouble is it's so nice that I took it home and use my green one at the lottie! (It's a girl thing) . I do use it when I pick veg to take home - it's easier to find when there's lots of top growth on the plot!

Louise
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Tinkie_Bear on December 27, 2007, 10:12:12: How about a canvas shopping bag, they appear to be very fashionable at the moment (perish the thought) and my local Peacocks has loads of them for £3 ish each - they are a reasonable size.

Another idea I saw on TV, a site that wasn't allowed sheds, somebody had dug a hole and lined it with thick plastic, like rubble sacks, and put a door over the top - they used this like a shed. Not sure how secure it would be though - I can't think of any way to lock it.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: RosieMcPosie on December 29, 2007, 23:34:49: wow, what a good idea!! i love it. i'm allowed sheds but if i wasn't i'd do this! so clever, i'm impressed!!
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Emagggie on December 30, 2007, 00:33:41: Before I had my plastic doohdah on wheels, I used to use something similar to a kit bag. It was a good size for forks etc. I have a shed but like Cam I don't leave anything of value in it.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: red_skydiver on January 01, 2008, 14:18:10: try army surplus stores for kit bags
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Barnowl on January 02, 2008, 14:21:04: Wouldn't those bags with wheels people use to move their snowboards around be about the right size for spades etc?
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: robkb on January 03, 2008, 11:57:19: For Xmas I got a rucksack with a built-in stool - brilliant :D Big enough to take most hand tools, seed packets, flasks of tea etc. I was well chuffed!

Cheers,
Rob ;)
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Baccy Man on January 03, 2008, 12:37:03: Quote from: Tinkie_Bear on December 27, 2007, 10:12:12
Another idea I saw on TV, a site that wasn't allowed sheds, somebody had dug a hole and lined it with thick plastic, like rubble sacks, and put a door over the top - they used this like a shed. Not sure how secure it would be though - I can't think of any way to lock it.

I use a similar idea for tool storage only I have a shed with a trap door in the floor built above it. I don't bother locking the shed and usually leave half a sack of compost a few pots & a cheap trowel visible in the shed so it appears to be in use but anything more valuable goes under it. This way there is no unnecessary damage when kids break into it & they assume there is nothing worth stealing.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Lauren S on January 03, 2008, 15:53:38: Oh what a great idea. Bit like the *Great Escape* ;D

Tom, Dick and Harry come to mind ;D
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Blue Bird on January 03, 2008, 16:25:10: I used a wheelie bin before I got my shed and still use it for my tools !

now got three on the go yellow / green and grey ;D
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: cornykev on January 06, 2008, 18:20:57: Like it Baccy, there was a post on this forum a year or so ago about hiding tools similar to Tinkies idea, I'm sure someone will find it, I'm crap at finding old posts. One idea I remember was similar to Tinkies was digging a large hole and placing a metal container in to put tools in and covering with an old carpet or such. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: cornykev on January 06, 2008, 19:22:28: Hi Bak I found the post I've refreshed it on "Basics" under life without a shed or something like that. It might help if not good luck with the bag, the bags for life in the supermarkets seem a good idea we've got one from Lidl its big and strong. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: BAK on January 11, 2008, 19:07:45: thanks to all for your tips. I have a good range of ideas to choose from.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: kenkew on January 12, 2008, 10:02:30: I like that there 'buried shed' idea. Could also be a metre or so above ground and camouflaged to look like a compost bin!
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: tomatoada on January 12, 2008, 15:50:34: I treated myself to a plastic box from B&Q. It looks a bit like a green coffin. It is long enough to hold a spade but not a rake. Any ideas please. Does anyone know of a retracting one? I am sure someone will have a bright idea.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: bupster on January 12, 2008, 22:08:17: You can get rakes etc that come in more than one piece. Can't remember what they're called but they're distinctively red and yellow I think.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: gunnerbee on January 12, 2008, 22:15:08: i should get my mum to knock some up on her sewing machine, she has lots of fabric !!!
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Emagggie on January 13, 2008, 09:53:27: Quote from: bupster on January 12, 2008, 22:08:17
You can get rakes etc that come in more than one piece. Can't remember what they're called but they're distinctively red and yellow I think.
Made by Wolf. Its one long (or short, you choose) handle fits all. You buy the seperate heads and click them on. They do a good brochure too.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: tomatoada on January 13, 2008, 10:17:41: Many thanks. Off to search.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Si D on January 15, 2008, 14:53:57: I got a plastic multipurpose garden barrow thing from Homebase, £13.

It's got two wheels and one handle and you pull it behind you like a "mature person's" shopping trolly. Have happily managed to fit fork, spade, rake and rucksack full of hand tools and nosh in it all at the same time and has the added bonus that you can use it to shift stuff around on the plot when you get there.
Title: Re: Bag to carry allotment bits and pieces around
Post by: Emagggie on January 15, 2008, 19:20:49: and good for carting water about too if it's like mine. ;)