Hand crafted garden trugs make a fantastic gift for the gardening family member or friend and there are a number of artisan makers producing these items from sustainable materials on Etsy.
Origins of the garden trug
The word Trug is thought to originate from the Anglo Saxon “Trog” meaning boat shaped vessel. They were originally carved from a single piece of wood and were used to carry almost anything.
Techniques have developed over the years to enable Trugs to be made from twisted Willow, woven laths of timber and even reclaimed pallets.
Use of Trugs in the garden
Often associated with horticulture, hand crafted garden trugs are making a comeback due to their ease of cleaning, the lifestyle imagery of country living and the fact that they are mostly crafted from sustainable and often reclaimed materials.
The flat or elongated shape of a trug allows different types of garden produce to be harvested at the same time, enabling softer and more delicate items to sit alongside heavier objects without being crushed.
Slatted bases are the most common in modern hand crafted garden trugs. This allows air flow around produce and dirt to easily fall away back to the ground.
Carrying tools
Hand crafted garden trugs are also useful for carrying a range of tools around the garden with easy accessibility during use.
Where to find hand crafted garden trugs
Etsy and Folksy are the go to places to find artisan crafters all over the world, many of them making one of a kind items which make ideal gifts.