How to Use Old Farm Equipment to Decorate

Evenly space old tractors in a row to decorate a yard.

Collectors value vintage farm equipment. Old farm equipment collections, such as tractors and wagons make charming yard displays. The size of the area you are decorating dictates the size of the equipment you will use. Smaller farm implements and accessories can come indoors for farm and country displays. Larger vehicles and machinery are better outside. Whether to use old farm equipment in a state of disrepair or restore the equipment before display is the preference of the decorator.

Things You'll Need

• Tractor
• Flowers, potted or planted
• Scarecrow
• Hay bales
• Wagon
• Drill
• Potting soil
• Bricks
• Troughs
• Stud finder
• Small farm equipment
• Roofing nails
• Hammer

Instructions

Old Tractors and Accessories

1. Place a tractor in a focal area. Plant flowers around the vehicle. Display a scarecrow or hay bales beside the tractor will accentuate the farm theme. Place potted flowers on the seat.

2. Line up two or more tractors evenly near a fence along a road or entrance. Tractor accessories, such as threshers or bushogs, may be attached or spaced evenly between the tractors. Plant grass around the equipment to add to the long-forgotten appearance.

3. Place a tractor near a visible area beside a road or driveway. Make and dress a life-size scarecrow from cast-off clothing. Stuff the scarecrow with plastic grocery bags for waterproof stuffing, or use traditional hay or rags. Use wire or wood stakes inside the sleeve to position the arm in a waving position.

Old Wagons

1. Fill wagons with potted plants or flowers. Center the wagon in your yard. You may fill the wagons with potting soil and used as planters but water will eventually rot the wood. The Gardening Tips website recommends drilling holes in the bottom of wood wheelbarrows or wagons so plants and flowers can drain.

2. Fill a wagon with bales of hay. The Dutch Crafters website suggests filling wood wagons with flowers or seasonal decorations. Stick a traditional, cross-supported scarecrow into a hay bale. Add artificial or real pumpkins for a harvest look. Center the wagon in a visible place in your yard.

3. Place a well-blocked or frozen-geared wagon holding firewood near a door or garage. Block wheels with bricks on each side to restrain movement.

Old Troughs

1. Position a wood or metal trough on each side of your yard. Drill holes in the bottom of the troughs for drainage. Fill the trough with potting soil. Plant flowers or greenery in the troughs. According to the Front Porch Ideas and More website, you can buy troughs at flea markets and farmers' markets.

2. Use troughs as a pool or outside toy storage in a farm-themed yard. Troughs are durable and usually have rounded metal lips or wood edges that won't cause harm to inflatable toys and will weather the elements well.

3. Bring old troughs indoors to hold shoes and belongings. Old farm implements stand upright in the trough for a vintage agrarian display.

Smaller Farm Equipment

1. Hang old yokes on walls with large roofing nails hammered into wall studs for strength. Find wall studs with a stud finder which are available at home improvement stores.

2. Prop old saddles on saw horses or a section of old fence. Add worn cowboy boots and hat.

3. Hang reins, ropes and horseshoes for art. Hang an old horse blanket on the wall as a background for a rope or rein collection. Frame different horseshoes, rope or barbed wire samples in reclaimed wood shadowboxes.

References

• Gardening Tips.net: Using a Garden Wagon or a Wheelbarrow
• Dutch Crafters: Amish Rustic Wagons
• Front Porch Ideas and More: Country Porch Decorating Ideas

Resources

• Magic Valley: Rusty Relics & Heirloom History: Why Old Farm Equipment Decorates ID Yards
• The Herald.net: Granite Falls Widow Honors Family with Garden of Memories
• The Kansas City Star: From Watering Cans to Farm Implements, Garden Decor Gets Down to Earth
• Sam's Tractors and Parts: Replacement Parts Form