Thursday, April 10, 2014

galvanized steel wash tub

I have admired steel wash tubs in the garden for a while but have never come across the right one. 

via~Williams-Sonoma


 Today as I was heading to the park with the beans, I passed by a garage sale and there it was!  A beauty waiting to be swept up!  The family selling this tub even had a typed up history about our tub....

Vintage No. 3 Rust, Leak, Fire and Rodent Resistant (will not crack in the cold) Domestic Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Wash Tub.

F.H. Lawson Co. Cincinnati OH produced metal trash cans and garbage pails.  The company was founded in 1816 and had a successful run for several decades.  However, it became burdened by financial difficulties that were precipitated by a leveraged buyout in the 1970's, and F. H. Lawson Co. finally ceased operations in early 1988.  When plastic receptacles were first introduced by Rubbermaid and Continental, it made business very tough for the F. H. Lawson Company.




The tub is 24 and a half inches in diameter.  I will be lining it and popping some holes in the bottom for drainage.  And then in goes some seeds for salad greens this weekend!



Crocuses are popping up while the daffs and tulips are showing their faces!  Peas are planted in the front yard and more are going in out back this weekend.


Now, I can't say that we have as much going on as you Northwestern gardeners...but hey, it's a start!!!



Some of my crocuses being eaten by our unruly squirrels!


Happy planting folks!


69 comments:

  1. Goodness, Nicole, that washtub is wonderful! I grew up in a home where we had those things and I took them for granted because, in those days, they were common and were used for all sorts of utilitarian purposes. My siblings and I enjoyed many a hot summer's day playing in them(no plastic wading pools for us in those days). At the time, we had a hand pump for water! How I wish I had it today! We used those big washtubs to bathe in, since when I was still a wee one,we were not in the little town's "city limits" and did not yet have running water. By the time I started school, city water was available to us country folk. At the time, I thought it was a travesty and an embarrassment, but today I understand the things we did out of necessity were some of the things that helped to shape my life and character. The things that made me appreciate things that our youngsters of today do not fully understand or appreciate. This and other things that I can still remember, some more vividly than others, are recollections that give me such pleasure today.

    Your post is beautiful and I can hardly wait to see the photos of your "salad" garden! Take care and keep bringing the beans up in an environment that allows them to appreciate and experience the the simple things that I, for one, think are the better things in life!

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  2. I'm right there with Lynn! In fact the washtub I have now is one my parents had and the one my now grown kids played in when they were itsy-bitsy. I absolutely love these for plantings and have bought several smaller ones for just that use. However, I don't have the heart to turn my "family tub" into a planter yet. I'm not sure why ~ as I turned my grandmother's very large cast iron kettle into a planter already! :-)

    Great post, as always.

    eli

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  3. Looks like you are about where we are weather and plant wise. Still no forsythia, but the daffodils are just starting to show their color. Its been a long wait this year and we have been patient. Maybe by Easter everything will pop out and surprise us.
    Love you tub and your inspiration photo. That will be lovely when it is all filled out with edible greens.
    Cindy

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  4. Ya loving the wash tub what a find and just perfect.my friend xxxx

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  5. I've just read and seen pictures of galvanized steel tub gardening on Pinterest.
    Your crocus are amazing. Such a sign of spring really arriving

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  6. I love tubs too and you have found such a lovely one! Your lettuce will look so cute growing in it :-)

    Have a good Friday & happy weekend!
    Sarah xx

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  7. What an awesome find! That is one fine looking tub and your plans for it sound amazing as well. Your flowers are coming in nicely. The flowers have been slow to bloom in NYC this year due to our unusually cold winter.

    Hope your week is going well!
    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  8. You have squirrels, I have rabbits a nuissance for the garden but they look so cute...... You found a great galvanized steel tub, nice to put some salad greens or herbs in.
    Have a nice weekend and happy gardening!

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  9. I love the shape of your wash tub and think it will look fantastic full of salad greens - I have a round one but I shall be filling mine with flowers this year - I think they add a really nice vintage look to the garden - I also fill tin buckets as well - a great way of re-cycling.

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  10. With the history that went with the washtub, I'm surprised they were willing to part with it. What a great find! Lucky girl! I have always liked washtubs too but it isn't something you stumble upon to often. I am so happy for your crocuses blooming - it is about time and you deserve those little beauties. I am feeling so fortunate to be a life long northwest gardener. It has been a beautiful and productive Spring and it just keeps getting better! But your garden will catch up to ours - it gets a lot warmer in the Midwest! Have a great weekend!

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  11. I'm just trying to visualize you taking this big tub with you to the park!! It looks great (I have a thing for galvanized metal) and will look even better with plants overflowing. I have a large square tub about the same size, but I could never put a few holes in it for drainage. It holds my "dog towels" which is any towel no longer good enough for human use and only good enough for the dog. I used to have my son's toys in it (it came from my family's homestead, so it's also very special to me). Can't wait to see your warsh-tub garden Nicole! Wendy x

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  12. Hi Nicole, I am so happy for you that you got this beautiful vintage galvanized steel tub! It is really a cool find. It seems to have a good size and will look very pretty with salad growing in it. That you get a healthy snack out of it won't hurt either ;-).
    So nice to see that spring has finally arrived in your garden. I am sure you can't wait to get your hands dirty! Warm regards,
    Christina

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  13. You lucky girl. I'm on the hunt for galvanized tubs because our water table is so high it is easier to have everything raised or in tubs. Unfortunately the situation makes tubs like yours hard to find and expensive. Enjoy your salad.

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  14. Now I can't wait to see your tub come to life, I have raspberries growing in a tub.

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  15. Wow planting on the galvanized tube is really inspiring! The veggies look so stunning. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Well, don't laugh but that is the type of bathtub that I took a bath in when I was a really little girl. I have pictures of me and my brother in a tub just like that. Sure wish I had it now! Yours is great!! I am happy to see that Spring has arrived for you!!! xo Diana

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  17. That old tub is a beauty, Nicole and I love the history behind the company that made it! What a lucky find! It's so nice to see flowers blooming in your garden. I can't grow crocus except in pots - too many squirrels. Same with tulips...oh well, I can admire yours. Can't wait to see what sprouts in your tub! Hope you have a sunny weekend, my friend! xo Karen

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  18. Love that tub Nicole - happy growing in it. I love squirrels, I guess cos we don't have them in New Zealand, we just think of them as cute animals, not the rodent that you do. Hope the rest of your crocuses survive. Happy weekend.

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  19. Your mind is full of ideas! You don't waste any things. Use all them to keep plants!

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  20. Wonderful find Nicole. I have something very similar for my herbs. I had to empty recently as I never put a hole in for drainage. The soil needed a bit of air drying as it was so sodden. I will know for next time! Have a wonderful weekend xo

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  21. Oooo love that tub, and those lovely spring flowers too :). Have a wonderful weekend xx

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  22. That is a gorgeous tub! So perfect for growing in. I would totally love one of those in my garden!!

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  23. I've been on the lookout for one myself - great find! Can't wait to see your yummy salads growing in it later this year! We are still rather snowy here - but patches of earth are growing every day now. I didn't get to plant too many bulbs last fall for our first spring here, but I did manage to plant 40 or so tulip bulbs near the pond that I am very excited to see when they are ready! Hopefully this year there will be some room in the budget for some crocuses and snowdrops come fall. In the meantime, thank you for sharing yours!
    xoxo, Jenn ( http://anupcyclingblog.wordpress.com )

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  24. awesome find! I love garage sales I have a photo of me and my siblings taking a bath in one of those too-lol

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  25. I would love a tub like that to grow a herb garden, such a lucky find.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  26. what an awesome find! i love running into beauties at random times! happy planting!

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  27. That is a beaut of a wash tub. I remember my nan having one to take the washing outside to the line and then we used to use it to pick peas in to prep for the freezer - yep! that is how many peas she grew, we actually carried them in their pods in bath tubs! hope yours are a success. Jo x

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  28. Wonderful find! How cool is that that they had a typed up history of the tub?! I love stuff like that. :) I wish I could teleport you over to help me with my yard this year. I feel overwhelmed and gardening is NOT my forte'. Your yard is absolutely beautiful. What a lovely place to relax and go into a different world.

    By the way, you should link up some of your garden stuff at Remodelaholic. This weeks theme is gardens and planters. :D

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  29. What a fantastic find, I cant wait to see it full of salad bits. xx

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  30. I find it hard to put holes in the bottom of a tub that hasn't already partially rotted through. Daft huh? The williams sonoma one does look fab though. I like to put salads in those lightweight wooden crates form the greengrocers - lined with hessian. They kind of rot gently which is nice xxx

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  31. That is very cool! I would love to have one of those!

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  32. What a lovely tub, a really good find. We used to have a couple of these when I was little, with some buckets as well. A shame they're not still around. No doubt yours will look lovely when it's planted, I shall look forward to seeing it.

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  33. Good find! I've had one of these for many years and had no idea they were fashionable. I just use it to haul gardening scraps to the trash can. Haha. :)

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  34. What a great find! I am sure that it will look beautiful when it is all planted up! Lovely to see your crocuses coming out, more will follow soon I'm sure! xx

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  35. Love your tub. I learned the hard way that you have to put in the holes for drainage.

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  36. Gosh. I think I love you. : )
    I have a tub like that and I never thought of poking holes in it and using it for planting. BUT I WILL NOW! What do you line it with and what do you make the holes with. Did you mention that in your post and I missed it? I"ll have to go back and look. Unfortunately, the email that this blogger this is hooked up to is not an active email for me, so if you respond to it, I probably won't get it. : ( I'll have to follow your process with that tub and see what you do.

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    1. Ok lady...my apologies for not including the steps...you can either line the tub with bubble wrap or cardboard...this provides insulation. And I literally drilled through the bottom with a hand drill! You just have to apply pressure and it zips right through! Hope that helps!!!

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  37. I love the galvanized tub. I can imagine it filled with herbs or salad greens or maybe even flowers. I have a few crocus poking up through the ground finally. We actually had snow early in the week, but the weekend is forecast to be warm. Can spring finally be here. Let's hope! Have a wonderful weekend Nicole!

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  38. What a wonderful find! I have the same one and have been loving it for years. What a great idea to plant salad fixings in it!

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  39. Oh what a wonderful find - and what a perfect container for your salad garden. How fun!

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  40. What an awesome tub! I love that the owners gave you a history on it. That makes it so much more interesting and unique. Spring has definitely arrived here and our cherry blossoms are blooming. :o)

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  41. Oh a tub of salad to enjoy from such a wonderful receptacle! I have seen quite a lot of steel tubs and containers in garden centres, so I think you are bang on trend with this one. Enjoy your weekend xx

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  42. Hi Nicole,
    What a great tub! I have a round one that is in the big garden but yours is in much better shape and the oval is more eye catching.
    I am one person you don't have to be envious of because, unlike the NW, we are behind you! Not by much but that could change momentarily!
    I hope you and all your beans have a great weekend.
    Sally XO

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  43. ahh looks amazing!
    http://saltskinned.blogspot.com.au

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  44. Aaah, 3rd time lucky? My tablet is playing up.
    The tub is an amazing find, it's gorgeous. Look forward to seeing it fulfil its gardening destiny! Xx

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  45. Love it, Nicole! I have a couple that need planting up - one has no base at all so I plan on planting something permanent and not too big in that one. They add a lovely touch to the garden, don't they? x

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  46. that washtub is amazing x It looks great full of greens

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  47. HA! I saw that same 'salad in a tub' photo, too, and thought it would be so cool to do! I'm so glad you found one that will work for you! I think we have an old square one in our storage shed and will give the idea a try, as well. Your crocus are so pretty! I planted some pansies and violas about a week ago and noticed the squirrels were nibbling on them yesterday morning. :~ Have a great week, friend!! (Love your new profile photo!!)

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  48. Hey hey! Love this! And totally cute pic of you and the kiddos on the side bar. I've been under a rock for the last few months - excited to see what spring brings for you guys.

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  49. I love your wash tub!! I can't wait to see what you do with it!!! The crocuses are always so cheery! My wash tub has been busy housing chicks and now ducklings. They are handy.

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  50. Happy to meet you! I found your blog thanks to Carol at Art and Sand and I'm your newest follower. I am looking forward to watching your garden grow!

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  51. Oh my, what an amazing find....I can see washtub filled with spring greens and pretty pansies! The picture of the pretty crocuses make me smile with thoughts of spring:) Thanks for sharing and inspiring us!Happy week~hugs, Poppy

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  52. Cute new profile pic!

    I LOVE my galvanized tubs randomly scattered throughout the yard. The kids planted a round one like yours with lettuce seeds a few weeks ago and they're comin' up in it. I want the big feed trough ones for raised veggie beds, BADLY. But they're way too rich for my blood. Even on Craigslist. :(

    Yay for crocus! I'm so glad you're finally seeing some signs of life! And what?? Squirrels are eating them? And I thought OURS were naughty!

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  53. Galvanised steel wash tubs sound so much more sophisticated than tin baths.... I shall rename my tin bath immediately! (I found mine on the farm - it's a lot more battered than your tub, but it's very good for growing garlic in).

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  54. Oh my I am so glad I found your blog through Carol at Art and Sand! So excited to follow your art and garden adventures! You are inspiring indeed! xo Jen

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  55. Oh nice tub!! The flowers coming up are gorgeous!! I can't wait to see the tub in full bloom!! Happy Spring!!

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  56. i love tubs like that. i use mine actually as a recycle bin for beer bottles and such for a party... because why NOT? even the garbage can look inspired no?? i cant wait to see how your lettuces pan out! ~ and agree, I'll take even the littlest buds and flowers right now... cannot wait for the growing season to kick in!!!!!

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  57. I love that idea, it'll turn out beautifully I'm sure.

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  58. I just discovered your blog. Beautiful pictures. perhaps you like to see my blog sometimes. My blog is mainly about photography of nature, flowers.... Thanks in advance
    Greetings from Germany and happy Easter!
    Helga

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  59. I am so glad the galvanized tub is rodent resistant - should take care of the squirrels, right? ;-) My dad is fighting them something fierce right now...he has removed 15 to date from the yard, in the humane trap he uses. Takes them down along the Platte River, and releases them to a happy, rural life! Love your little crocuses...I hope your Easter is wonderful, Nicole. How could it not be with your happy little family. BTW, LOVE the new "About Me" photo on the side!!!!!

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  60. Hi Nicole,

    How wonderful the tub is and will be great to have your salad greens growing in it.
    Also how sweet your little spring crocuses are popping up - also a lovely profile photo of you and your sweet children.
    Happy Easter and sending hugs
    Carolyn

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  61. I love this! And how fun to know it's history, that is super cool! I thought I had commented when I first saw this post, I guess not! I love your new photo too so cute! I hope you are having a wonderful Easter Sunday!

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  62. O, how lovely!! That always has a charming lakeside cottage look to me; it's not at all common in this part of the world. A blessed Easter season to you and yours dear friend :)

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  63. Hi Nichole.Great galvanized tub! Your plants will love it there! :)
    Hugs, Debbie

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  64. Hey what a great find! that will be the perfect home for a mini kitchen garden.

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  65. What a great find, Nicole!! Your plants will look fantastic in there.

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  66. Hi Nicole,
    Our Master Gardener organization is doing a question and answer column in a local entertainment guide newspaper. Your galvanized container lettuce photo would be perfect to add to a future column. May we use it. We will of course add your name as the photographer.

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