Shrub savers

An old shirt can create work space and protect shrubs at the same time.  Photo/Illustration: Christine Erikson

When doing outdoor chores like window cleaning or painting, it’s sometimes hard to find the room to work comfortably without damaging foundation plantings. To create a little working space, I tie strong cords to the wrists and the tail sections of an old shirt, place the shirt on the backside of the shrub that is hindering my progress, gently pull the shrub away from the house, and secure the cords to a stake set in the ground directly in front of the shrub.