Why You Need a Folding Yard Cart

So why would you ever need a folding yard cart? Well, we all know how nice it is to have a cart or a wheelbarrow nearby while you are working in the yard. You can use it to gather debris, haul plants, move pots, and so many other great tasks. But if you have a folding yard cart you can do all those things and then fold it up and hang it in the garage or shed. A folding yard cart is so much easier to store than your average garden wagon!

One of the things I like best about a folding yard cart is it is so easy to take with me. I am sure many of you like to help your neighbors in their yards or help work on a community project. It is so nice to be able to put my folding yard cart in the car and take it to where the action is. Then I can work the day away, hauling leaves, soil, or whatever needs to be carried. I can take plants to where they need to be planted, move debris to the dumpster or compost pile and then when the work it done I simply fold up the cart and put it in my car. It doesn't get much easier than that!

Of course to use your folding yard cart like I described above you will probably want a cart that is made of heavy duty canvas. These carts fold fairly flat and since they are made of canvas, they tend to be lightweight so it is easy to lift them in and out of a car. But when you put the folding yard cart to work it can really do the job!

If you don't plan to take your folding yard cart from site to site, you can find metal versions that are just as handy in the yard. Most of these types of carts have sides that fold down so it is really a convertible cart. You can have a wagon with sides or a flatbed cart - both are great for working in the yard. They are also very handy as shopping carts in a garden center as well.

A folding yard cart is probably one of the most useful things I have in my gardening supplies. I couldn't work in the yard if I didn't have something to haul my plants and carry my debris. With a folding yard cart I can do all that and then hang it in the garage when I am done. That is my kind of yard cart!

Buy a Folding Yard Cart:

	Folding Garden Cart By Collections Etc

	Tricam FR110-2 Farm & Ranch 400-Pound Capacity Steel Utility Cart, Green

	Yard Butler GKS-2 Garden Kneeler and Seat

Types of Collapsible Cart

You can find many different types of collapsible cart on the market today. Many folding carts you will find are basically a hand truck that folds flat for storage. A folding hand truck can be used for so many different things and no doubt you can find ways to use such a cart.

One type of collapsible cart that is growing in popularity is the type that is a cross between a hand truck and a sturdy plastic crate. These crate style boxes are great because you can use them to move so many different things. Move files from room to room, use it to move heavy potted plants around your yard, you can even use it to haul all your gear to the beach! The nice thing about this type of collapsible cart is they fold up to a small size for easy storage when you aren't using it. Most have telescoping handles as well, so the folded size is even smaller.

Another type of collapsible cart is a folding wagon. Folding wagons are growing in popularity because they are so easy to store, yet they are sturdy and durable.  These wagons are perfect to take to an amusement park or just around the block. They generally have a weight limit of about 150 pounds and they are easy to clean and stain resistant.

But you don't have to restrict the use of this type of collapsible cart to pulling the kids around. They also make a great garden utility cart. Their size make them perfect for carrying flats of plants, bags of potting soil or fertilizer, as well as carrying your garden tools.

In addition to these collapsible carts, you can find sturdy metal wagons that have fold down sides. While not fully collapsible, the fold down sides allow you to carry oversize loads easily. You may have seen this type of cart at garden centers.

This type of cart can hold up to 400 pounds so it will be a real workhorse in your yard. With 10-inch pneumatic tires and a padded handle this collapsible cart will be a great help for almost any garden job. Plus, you can pad the bottom with a few blankets and take the kids for a walk to the park.

A collapsible cart can be used for so many different purposes - the garden, the office, or just for fun. The important thing is that you get the cart that is right for you and your needs. Once you get the right cart you will wonder how you ever worked without one!

Buy a Collapsible Cart:

	dbest 00-011 Quik Cart Two-Wheeled Collapsible Handcart with Lid

	Magna Cart Personal Hand Truck

	Magna Cart Elite 2 Hand Truck

	Magna Cart Flatform 4- Wheeled Hand Truck

If you have a small yard, you can begin composting using a traditional compost pile in your yard. Just make it smaller than you would in a larger yard. Start off by sectioning off an area that you want to use for your composting efforts and maybe put a small fence around it. You can also use a small commercial compost bin. These bins will help you contain the organic material in one place, which is a great option if you are restricted on space!

If you live in an apartment building, you can still have a composting project using a traditional hot compost pile on a patio or balcony. However, you will need to make sure you turn it often so it stays well mixed. Otherwise you might have odor problems, and neighbors don’t like that!  You can get a small commercial container for your compost, or make your own using a large plastic container with holes drilled in it for air circulation. A garbage can with a lid is a great choice.

If possible, check with your landlord and see if you can create a community composting project for your entire building. Make sure everyone knows exactly what can and can’t go in it. All the residents can use the finished product for container gardens or even houseplants.

Starting Your Small Space Composting Project

To collect the waste for your compost, keep a small container in your kitchen. Make sure it has a lid so it doesn’t get smelly.  Add all the organic waste from your home, vegetable and fruit peelings, egg shells, newspaper, etc. Don’t add anything containing milk products or fats. This will cause your pile to smell and attract rodents.

Keep your pile moist, like a wrung out sponge. Make sure you turn it regularly for the quickest results and to help make sure it doesn’t smell.  Soon you will notice that your waste is turning into rich, dark organic material.

Filter the compost through a screen to keep the large, unfinished chunks out. Then mix the healthy compost into the soil you plant in whether it is in the garden or a container.

Making your own compost is a rewarding activity. Just because you live in a small space or don’t have a yard doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy composting. Become creative and make your own small space compost pile!

More Information on Composting:

	Organic Gardener's Composting

	Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting (Third Edition) (Storey's Down-To-Earth Guides)

	Organic Gardener's Composting

	Composting For Dummies

What is a Potting Bench?

A potting bench is usually a counter high cart that has a large work surface where you can fill your pots with soil and add plants.  Some potting benches also have storage areas for tools and soil. In a way, a potting bench is like a stationary garden utility cart with places to keep your tools and areas to work.

You can find potting benches in all kinds of styles. From beautifully styled to sturdy and functional, you are sure to find a potting bench that suits your taste.  However, no matter the style of potting bench you get you will want to ensure that it is sturdy and has an ample workspace. No matter how fancy your workstation is, it will do you no good if you can't effectively use it!

Look for a potting bench that is deep enough to hold large planters and all your supplies. You want the workspace to be tall enough that you can stand and work comfortably. It is nice if the bench has a tray or dropped area to store potting soil. Having the soil a little lower than the rest of your workspace is a nice convenience - although not a must.

If you get a fancy potting bench it can even double as a patio cart. Many potting benches are very attractive, so you can use it as a serving area when you are entertaining. What a perfect way to double your space!

Potting benches can add to your outdoor decor as well. Hang plants from the top, place blooming planters along the bottom. Make your potting bench a work of outdoor art! Let people know how much you love working with the soil and plants.

A potting bench is more than just a pretty accent to your yard.  With places to put your seeds, soil and tools you won't need to clutter the garage with your planting supplies anymore. Not to mention  you will now have the perfect place to create your beautiful container gardens!

Buy a Potting Bench:

	Solid Fir Potting Bench with Recessed Storage

	Foldable Potting Bench

	Potting Bench: Downloadable Woodworking Plan

	Panacea Products Potting Bench with Soil Reservoir, Bronze

What Is A Garden Utility Cart?

A garden utility cart is so much more than your average garden wheelbarrow.  While a wheelbarrow gives helps you to haul large loads of soil, compost and such, a utility cart for the yard is a great way to carry the things you will need to work the soil and tend to the plants.

While many of the garden carts you find on the market do have a large carrying space for big loads, many you find will have a storage area underneath for keeping your small tools. Some of these types of yard carts also have a seat that doubles as a lid for the storage area. This way you can sit and be comfortable while you work. In addition, the seat helps to protect your tool investment from the harmful effects of the weather. You can easily store small tools such as pruners, trowels, hand cultivators, etc. When planting your garden it is a perfect place to set the garden seeds as you plant.

A garden utility cart is a great cart to have in the garden, however unless you get a large one it will not replace wheelbarrow. You will still want a large yard cart that you can use to haul large items. But a small garden utility cart, especially one with a seat is perfect for working in the yard. You will wonder how you ever planted or weeded without having your tools close by!

Buy a Garden Utility Cart:

	Tricam FR110-2 Farm & Ranch 400-Pound Capacity Steel Utility Cart, Green

	Liberty Garden Products 870-M1-2 Industrial 300 - 4 Wheel Garden Hose Reel Cart - Tan

	Liberty Garden Products Decorative Non-Rust Cast Aluminum Wall Mounted Garden Hose Reel With 125-Foot Capacity - Antique Finish 704

	Tricam GOR200B Gorilla Carts 600-Pound Capacity Poly Dump Cart, Black

What is Backyard Composting?

Backyard composting is also called home composting, but no matter what you call it, it is a great way to recycle your organic waste and create a healthy soil additive for your home garden.  You need to have a space where you will collect the garden waste. This can either be a compost container that you make or purchase, or just an area in your yard where you can create a pile of organic material. Remember that you will need to be able to turn the pile so make sure you have plenty of room around the pile if you choose to go that route.

If you want to make your own compost bin for backyard composting, one of the simplest ways to make one is to put four stakes or fence posts in the ground and then wrap chicken wire around them. This will help to contain your pile. Make sure you wrap the chicken wire low enough that you can effectively stir the compost with a turning fork.  Usually 2 1/3 to 3 feet is adequate. This will give you a good depth without being too deep to mix it.

What to Add to Your Compost

Any organic material can be added to your backyard composting project.  Just remember that the item in question is completely natural then it can be returned to nature. Things like fruit and vegetable waste, grass clippings, leaves that you rake, even egg shells and coffee grounds can go in your compost.  Stay away from meat scraps, fats, dairy products, and processed foods. Some paper products can be composted as well. Things such as newspapers, shredded paper, brown paper sacks, etc. will decompose in your pile. You want  a good balance of green (yard waste, grass clippings, etc.) to brown (corn stalks, straw, newspaper, etc.) in your backyard composting project.

For effective backyard composting, keep the mix in your pile slightly wet. Think of a wet rag that has been rung out - that is about how moist you want your compost pile to be. The moisture helps the organic material break down quicker. However, if it is too wet it will rot and mold, creating a nasty mess and you don't want that!

When is the Compost Done?

Compost is 'done' when it looks like dark, rich organic material. You will want to filter your compost through a screen to remove clumps that have not completely composted. Just throw that material back into the compost pile to finish with the next batch.  Mix the compost into your flowerbeds and garden for nutrient rich soil your plants will love.

Backyard composting is a project the whole family can enjoy. You will be helping the environment and benefiting your garden at the same time. What could be better?

Learn more about backyard composting:

	Organic Gardener's Composting

	Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting (Third Edition) (Storey's Down-To-Earth Guides)

	Organic Gardener's Composting

	Composting For Dummies

What Type of Garden Wheelbarrow?

So what should you look for in a garden wheelbarrow? Well, first of all you need to consider how you will be using it and more importantly, how you plan to store it. You only use your garden wheelbarrow a few months of the year and you will need to have a place to store it the rest of the year. If you are short on storage place, then a folding wheelbarrow is the way to go. These wheelbarrows are sturdy enough to haul your gardening supplies, yet they fold up nicely for storage.

If you have a garden shed or a large garage, then you might as well get a traditional garden wheelbarrow.  When you choose a traditional garden wheelbarrow, you will have several options. You can choose from a single wheel or dual wheel garden wheelbarrow. A double wheel one will give you more stability, but a single wheel model can be easier to maneuver.

What Size Garden Wheelbarrow?

In addition to having a choice in wheels, you also have a choice in capacity. You can get a garden wheelbarrow that have a capacity ranging from 4 cubic feet to 6 cubic feet. There are even wheelbarrows available that will hold 8 cubic feet, however that may be a bit large for the average homeowner.

When you are choosing the size garden wheelbarrow that is right for you, keep a few things in mind. First of all, will you be able to maneuver it when it is full? Although the large capacity garden wheelbarrow sounds appealing, if you can't move it around then it isn't the right choice for you. Get one that is easy for your to move around your yard and you will be happier with the results. However, there are a few garden carts on the market that dump so if you choose one like that then a large capacity garden wheelbarrow will be fine.

Make sure that it has a deep basin. Many times you will use your garden wheelbarrow to haul large planters and such so you want it to be deep enough that the pots don't fall out over rough ground.

A garden wheelbarrow is a must have for any gardener. With many options on the market you are sure to find a garden wheelbarrow that is perfect for you.

Buy a garden wheelbarrow:

	Fiskars 7067 3-Piece Softouch Garden Tool Set

	Fiskars 9154 PowerGear 32-Inch Bypass Lopper

	Rubbermaid 5E28 Deluxe Tool Tower Rack with Casters, Holds 40 Tools

Using Garden Hose Reel Carts

Garden hose reel carts are definitely a convenient way to keep the hose organized at all times so you won’t have to deal with knots that are frustrating to untangle. Most garden hose reel carts have wheels on them, so you will be able to move them closer to where you are working. There is nothing worse than being limited in terms of room to move when you are using the hose somewhere around the house. The fact that your cart has wheels will make it so much easier to do whatever you need get done in your yard or garden.

Some of the nicer garden hose reel carts will actually have a front flap that will protect and hide the hose when it is not being used. When you buy a cart with a frontal flap, you will be able to protect it from the elements so you won’t have to deal with any corrosion or wearing away of the hose itself. Even though you might have to spend a little bit of extra money on a nice cart, in the end it will be well worth it since it will last for quite a long time after you initially buy it.

Those who are trying to look at as many garden hose reel carts as possible will want to direct their attention to all of the websites on the internet that sell them. When you go online to shop for these, you will have hundreds of different selections at your fingertips. Even if you don’t plan on ordering one from the internet, you will still be able to get ideas about what you want your cart to have. Spend at least a couple hours doing some research so you can make the right decision.

Deals on garden hose reel carts:

	Suncast DBW9200 Mocha Wicker Resin Deck Box, 99-Gallon

	Liberty Garden Products Decorative Non-Rust Cast Aluminum Wall Mounted Garden Hose Reel With 125-Foot Capacity - Antique Finish 704

	Rapid Reel Wall Mount Garden Hose Reel Model #1041-GH

	Suncast PW100 Powerwind 100-Foot Capacity Automatic Rewind Garden Hose Reel

A metal garden wagon might be the best choice because of the fact that they are sturdy and will be able to last for at least five to ten years before you need to get a new one. There is nothing worse than having to constantly replace or repair things that constantly keep breaking down, so you will want to make sure to get a good one the first time around.

The bigger the wheels on your garden wagon the better, because you will to be able to take it through the soil, grass, dirt, and whatever else makes up the area that you will be working in. Make sure to take a look at some of the different models available, because the more you look at the better of an idea you will have of what the best one for you is. You will be able to put anything from potted plants to cinder blocks on these wagons; they are extremely tough and sturdy so you don’t have to worry about your garden wagon breaking down when transporting large and heavy things.

Rust can sometimes be a concern with a garden wagon, so you will want to make sure to buy one with really tough enamel paint so you won’t have to give it another coat of paint when it starts to fade. As long as you keep it stored inside your shed or garage a majority of the time, you shouldn’t experience any problems with rusting or corrosion over time. You can reduce the risk of these types of problems by looking very carefully at the garden wagon you buy.

Purchasing a garden wagon with long sides might be a good idea if you plan on hauling large over-sized items such as bricks, cinder blocks, or even clay plots. This way you won’t have to be concerned about all of the things you have on it tumbling and falling off because they are stacked too high. The sides on the garden wagon will be able to take care of the full load so you won’t have any problems whatsoever.

A garden wagon will become on of the most used tools in your yard, so you want to have a garden cart that is sturdy and fits your needs.

Here are a few quality garden wagons to choose from:

	Amish Wagon Decorative Garden Decor By Collections Etc

	Step2 5A0000 Garden Hopper Mobile Garden Stool and Storage

	Garden Wagon (G-GW027PST)

Let's take a look at the Neuton 22721 12-Volt 2-Speed Self-Propelled Battery-Powered Electric 5-Cubic Foot Garden Cart with 200-Pound Capacity. Th Neuton garden cart works like a battery powered lawn mower - but it is a garden cart! It is battery powered and oh so easy to use! Since they say it best, here is the description from the manufacturer: 
Neuton Garden Cart makes hauling jobs easy. Tired of struggling and straining with traditional wheelbarrows and overloaded garden carts? The battery-powered, self-propelled Neuton Garden Cart makes any job easy. With two forward speeds and powered reverse, it's like having your own assistant! It is ideal for moving 200 pounds of just about anything - mulch, soil, plants, firewood, fertilizer, seed, grass clippings, and much more. Just press the Power Pad and go. Let go and it stops. The weight-forward design makes for easy dumping and having the load over the drive wheels gives the Garden Cart excellent traction. Easily recharged using any standard outlet (battery and charger included). Inside the Neuton Garden Cart are two separate wheel drive motors. When moving straight ahead, the motors operate at the same speed. But make a turn and the inside wheel slows down as the outside wheel maintains speed, which makes it easy to get around obstacles. Separate drive motors also ensures that power is applied to each of the wheels, even when one is on a slippery surface - for maximum traction on uneven terrain, in loose soil and on slopes. Small yards or confined spaces are no problem for the nimble Neuton Garden Cart. Because it can turn in its own length, the Cart is ideal for tight-quarters hauling. And a low center of gravity keeps it stable. Now you can haul big loads in small yards - without driving over flower beds, shrubs and other plants. Maintenance is simple, too. Plug the Cart in to charge the battery as necessary and clean it off occasionally. No need to lube, grease or adjust anything. The handy tool tray has hooks and slots to hold small hand tools, gloves, a water bottle and more. Comes with 2 year residential use and 90 day commercial use warranty.

In addition to the cart, you can buy extra accessories such as the Neuton Garden Cart Heavy Duty Nylon Mesh Leaf Catcher. Accessories such as the leaf catcher and the optional rails allow you to use your cart much more efficiently!

Here is a short video that shows these accessories in action:

As you can see, a Neuton garden cart and the accessories you can get to go along with it can really be an asset to your yard work!

Get a deal on a Neuton garden cart: