What do you use as planters?

jennybridger

I have a small garden, although mum is gradually digging up more plants so i have more room for veg. but i love the idea of using recycled and reused general items to plant in.

I don't have room for things like baths or old barrels, but i like the idea of welly boots. i found great idea of using a piece of down pipe to use for a strawberry planter, but thanks to a freecycler i now have a 3 tier hanging basket for my strawberries.

What things do other people use?

mum_of_4

jennybridger wrote: »

I have a small garden, although mum is gradually digging up more plants so i have more room for veg. but i love the idea of using recycled and reused general items to plant in.

I don't have room for things like baths or old barrels, but i like the idea of welly boots. i found great idea of using a piece of down pipe to use for a strawberry planter, but thanks to a freecycler i now have a 3 tier hanging basket for my strawberries.

What things do other people use?

Bottom of plastic mil containers for tomato, leeks etc when small plants, baby milk tins painted different colours, cans painted for small amounts of herbs, pallets made into troughs and paint tins painted (also use them in the shed and garage for keeping small things in as they can be hung from their handles). The bottom of my children potties as i can sow 80 leeks in each one for transplanting later.

alanobrien

Anything that looks reasonable or will look reasonable if painted or has trailing plants over it. I made a few from old pallets, painted up they don't look bad. I use those for planting veg. Also made some from old decking and leaky old metal watering cans.

I don't know if anyone here saw Monty on his 80 gardens thing in Cuba, they were using just about anything that was available as a container and they looked great.

relay

I used to use cast iron 'Hoppers' for summer bedding plants on the wall.

alanobrien

I almost forgot i had one of those cheapy wheel barrows that was made of tubular steel, The front wheel collapsed so it was useless as a wheelbarrow but made a great planter once i drilled a few hols through it for drainage.

MoJo

I've inherited an unusual (worrying?) number of holdall type bags that my dad must have collected as freebies over the years which I am thinking might make good planters.....some might be waterproof but I can make them holey

Tracey_Smith

...sounds mad I know, but upside down plastic milk bottles.....

Cut off the very bottom....hole punch two holes either side and thread through some old laces or good string.......fill comfortably with compost.....then add a tomato plant seedling in the pouring end (which of course, is upside down....!!).....press it in firmly but carefully......then hang on a warm wall and grow....

It's an incredibly efficient way of conserving water as when you water it, the water heads right UP the roots!...

:rotfl:

I do hope you followed that bizarre explanation!!!

Believe me, it works incredibly well and means that you don't even have to have a garden, just a warm wall and some good sunshine.

Pinch the tops off before they get too huge of course.

Within about 10 minutes, the plant will have started to point upwards.....you have to see it to believe it.....but this is a great way of bringing together recycling, cultivation, sustainability and a bit of fun....

TS

:rotfl:

PS: needless to say, this is great to do with kids!!!

I'mcomingbackasaman

The containers you buy mushrooms in are quite handy and already have holes in for drainage. Old Chimney pots are good as well.

CLARABEL

...and for starting off seedlings, I use loo roll inners sat inside tomato/veg trays then plant the loos rolls out when the plants are ready to grow on.

xx

jennybridger

i have already used mushroom, cottage cheese, creme fraiche, soft goats cheese and yoghurt pots for my seedlings.


sadly the cuba episode of monty don is no longer on iplayer sadly, so i'e missed that.

not sure mum would appreciate me using things i the garden to replant in - she questioned my use of the items in the photo above.

if only i could get an allotment......:(

Tracey_Smith

It's lovely seeing all those recycled plastic pots doing a good job! Another good idea might be to seek out a good neighbour/friend that has a bit of space in their garden and maybe they could loan you a patch in return for sharing the 'fruits' of your labours...?

Allotments are so hard to come by and if you go for upward growing things, you can do an awful lot in a small space.

All the best,
TS