Garden Using Those Pesky Plastic Pots

Anyone who has a garden or ever got a potted plant has had to deal with those seemingly useless plastic pots. Most people throw them out. I save them until they crumble-re-using over and over again. They can be the “greenest” item in your garden that save you the most green.

I have a very small gardening space including containers but big or small practical ways maybe “green” now but will always make sense far after being GREEN loses fashion.

So what to do with all those unsightly plastic pots? Whether you have an established garden or just starting out; when you buy plants you will have to deal with re-using or disposing of them.

Plastic pots have an endless amount of uses in the garden. So before you just think re-cycle re-think they can save you money before tossing them out:

• Seeds eventually become seedlings needing a larger pot; having pots on hand is both convenient and cost-saving.

• Small pots make excellent large pot fillers. Place a small pot upside down in a larger one then fill with soil and plant. Container is lighter with less soil used.

• Instead of throwing out the cell flats, crumble up and use as a large container filler too. [Or wash and use as packing material.]

• Place invasive plants inside of the pot then plant in the ground for keeping them in-check.

• Have too many plants? Bought too many? Divide both annuals and perennials using pots to share plants. Don’t have to worry about loaning out your expensive ones.

• Don’t have drainage holes in that pretty container? Put plant in a plastic pot then place inside the prettier one. [Don’t forget to pour out any excess water.]

• Wish you could afford more expensive containers? Take plastic pots, spray paint assorted colors then add decorative ribbons, beads or sphagnum moss to make appealing.

• Don’t like to water? Plastic holds moisture longer so use instead of terra cotta [I still recommend terra cotta for herbs in almost all instances.] Works for indoor/outdoor plants.

• Just planted a new plant? Use plastic container as a cloche or shield to protect until established.

• Threat of frost? Use containers to cover tender plants. Use 2 pots together to block out holes and create a better insulator.

• Weeding. Keep containers around as receptacles when pulling them out.

• Use to make compost or save potting soil.

• Use small pots as scoops for mulch, fertilizer, etc.

• Use to prop up other containers to create different plant levels.

• Use to hold garden tools.

• Plant below ground level then put smaller pots filled with annuals for easy change-ups.

• Storing bulbs or use for overwintering plants.

As you can see the possibilities are endless. These are the pots that cost nothing but continue to save you money over and over again. $$$$$. How Green is that?