Staff Picks: Coolest Finds at Twin Cities ReStore
Disclaimer: What's featured may no longer be available as donated items are purchased quickly. Thrifting is a growing trend and something that...
3 min read
ReStore Staff
:
1:50 PM on April 21, 2026
You may have noticed that it seems like everybody has some kind of lawn and garden project going on, and you may have a couple of projects planned yourself. But why go to the big box stores for your lawn and garden needs when you can find everything you need at ReStore at much better prices?

Just about everything! Whether you need supplies for garden boxes for that new herb garden you’re planning, or some hand or power tools for the yard work you’ve been putting off, you can find it at ReStore. Most people are quite surprised by the variety of tools they find in our inventory.
Some of our most common tools and equipment include:
Buying even just some of this equipment at ReStore instead of the big box stores can potentially save you hundreds of dollars. While you browse the lawn and garden tools, you may also find inspiration for a new project like renovating your patio or firepit. You’ll find a variety of patio furniture at ReStore that will give your patio a cozy, inviting look, too.

If your yard is looking a little bit plain, you may want to spruce things up a bit with some new planters. ReStore Manager Jan Hagerman has creative DIY planter ideas you can make without spending a lot of money. Jan can also show you how to easily make toad houses and bee baths to place around your yard and help nature's smallest critters have a good summer.
Do you have a planter box that looks a bit out of place? A coat of paint can do wonders to transform it into a beautiful flower box. Have you always wanted to have your own summer bonfire in the backyard? Check out our 5 Creative DIY Fire Pit Ideas You Can Make at Home.

While landscaping doesn’t seem like a difficult project to accomplish, good planning will help you avoid the kind of issues that can take up a whole weekend. So, we have a few tips for you to keep your project on track.
If you’re thinking about creating a garden, Zen oasis, garden trellis or outdoor firepit, make sure you have a plan before you get started. First and foremost, know what your budget is and the general idea of what you want your end product to look like. Make a materials supplies list and take measurements of your space ahead of time. These two tips really help ensure a successful shopping trip to ReStore.
Before you start planting, have your soil tested at the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab to see what your pH and nutrient levels are. You don’t want to plant beautiful flowers and have them flounder instead of flourish because you don’t have the right fertilizer. Mail your soil samples in or drop them off directly at the lab in St. Paul. Turnaround for testing and results is 2-3 weeks. If you have poor or clay-based soil, it is important to add a layer of compost to improve the soil’s texture, nutrients, and moisture-retention.
The old adage “measure twice, cut once” applies to just about everything. Before you go shopping for supplies, know the size of the area you’ll be working on and take the measurements with you when you go. Nothing is worse than getting started on a project and finding out you don’t have enough brick for the garden you planned, and then you have to stop what you’re doing and go back to the store to get more.
It's hard to jump into yard work after months of not doing it. Take an hour to prep for your projects. Start by organizing and cleaning out your shed or garage. Locate the tools and materials you already have, make a list of what's needed, and also make a box of tools or other items you want to donate. Once the frost has lifted and the soil is workable, start preparing your garden beds. In winter, soil becomes compacted, so you want to loosen it back up by tilling or turning it.
When it comes to dirt and plants, it’s a good idea to buy more than you need. Having extra dirt on hand is never a bad thing. You never know when you’re going to need to replant something, or if you’ll need more dirt than you originally anticipated in an area.
While you could send leaves to the landfill, you can also use them to fertilize your grass. Use a mower with a bag on it or a blower/vacuum that shreds your leaves to create a mulch you can sprinkle over the grass or anywhere you need a little fertilizer. You can do the same thing with grass clippings. Alternatively, simply mow small amounts of the leaves into the grass.
No matter what project you’re planning, ReStore can help. Visit our three metro locations in Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, and New Brighton!
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