I have a bunch....the on;ly problem is they need to be taller.....so I got some taller ones.
Worth their weight in gold.
Broken off at the ground? Not likely to come back.

Linda C

That's bad news about annuals not growing back. I'll have to look for some sales on annuals for the border. I will try to make some of those things myself.
JD

I've seen relatively cheap "hose guides" at almost any mass merchandiser / big box home improvement store. You don't have to get the expensive ones with rollers on them -- just something that keeps the hose from rubbing on the plants. The ones I have kind of have a "groove" in them that holds the hose from popping up and over the top when I yank on the hose.

Another cheap option is some u-shaped stakes. Just pull the hose out and use a stake to hold it in place on either side -- because the u-shape has a "top" to it, the hose won't come out the top when you pull on it.

Well dear don't afraid recently i purchased the Garden Roller for my garden at reasonable and affordable price. You can also purchase it from http://www.quickvouchercodes.co.uk/blogcomments/add/5

I use ones I got at dollarama for a buck apiece. They have a stake and a hollowed out disk at the top that turns. They are plastic and a nice green color. I have had them for 3 years. I bring them into the garden shed in fall so the cold and snow load doesn't crack them and set them out in spring--works for me

Sorry for your loss jjdbike. How frustrating.

Wow, oilpainter, A buck a piece! And they have lasted a year. That's great.

It is good to hear that these can be affordable. I have seen lovely ones that are $$. Especially considering that you might need a bunch of them.

I had been thinking of making my own with something like pieces of rebar. With something over the metal (maybe piece of pvc or copper pipe?) And somethiing for the top for decoration and to not poke ones eye out when deep into weeding or communing with the earth. I have a few of those glass electrical insulators I thought might look cool.

Anyone have any homemade ones or is store-bought the way to go? (sounds like it is.)

watchmefly~I think yours is a great idea! I have some old brass doorknobs that I was going to use, but also found a stash of those glass electrical insulators along the railroad tracks. That just might work too, how ingenious. :D

JD~I just had to read your thread, I think it was the word "thingy" that got my attention. Don't you love it when you Really Don't Know What It's Called, hee hee.

Have a Great Day in the Garden Everyone!

prairiegirl -- A stash of them!? JEALOUS!! I bought mine at an antique store. I could only get 2 at the time so would need to "find" more if I want to do that plan. But I like the idea and would like to do it. I think the copper pipe would give it a more finished look.

Thanks for affirming my idea :-)

We have a store locally called "restore" that sells used building materials and I know they have tons of doorknobs. I have a couple, from our 1920 house, a couple have the faceted glass and a couple just the smooth brass. (There are others I've seen from victorian houses that have beautiful intricate designs in the metal.)

oh my ....

IF YOU ARE PULLING YOUR HOSE THAT HARD...

YOU NEED MORE HOSE ....!!!!!

its an investment that you will never regret ....

the first one is getting old... and a second will eventually get bought .... so buy it now.. and just take the time to lay it out.. so you can then attach the 2nd hose and move more freely without tugging up your plants ...

the rollers are simply a complete waste of money ....

ken