Even if she didn’t need a cane for support, Cait would keep one in the garden because she finds it so versatile.

Cait’s cane serves as a dibber to plant seeds and tamp soil, and to bring high branches closer for pruning or to hang bird feeders.

At her potting bench, Cait’s cane pulls pots and trays of seedlings closer without her having to bend and it’s useful for spacing young plants because Cait knows the handle measures about 6-inches wide.

And last but not least, Cait’s cane makes a great impromptu Limbo Bar for those festive backyard get togethers.

Cait has a talent for seeing gems where others see junk. And she is in a class by herself when it comes to artistic recycling - especially with her “Tiny Tim” Crutch Tomato Cage.

From her regular tour of curbs on garbage day and garage and estate sales, Cait over time acquired numerous obsolete wood crutches, which made their way into her garden.

Cait disassembled the crutch parts, jettisoned the rubber tips, handles and shoulder covers and reassembled the wood parts in a formation strong enough to support vines - and pleasing enough to be called art.

Because tomato vines become so heavy, Cait threaded twine through the open crutch holes and added rubber washers to keep the screws and nuts from loosening.

The cages, which took about an hour and a half to build, grew heavy with fruit and withstood monsoon wind and rain, visiting raccoons, toddler abuse, and dogs chasing chipmunks.

This photo was taken in early June. We’d show you an “after” picture but the only thing you would see is a mass of tomato vines and no crutches - the tomatoes grew so thick!

Cait’s crutch project for next year: a Crutch Trellis for clematis.

(Eds note: For more detailed instructions of how to make the cages, contact cait@thegimpygirls.com and she will send you the information.)