Much ado about nothing ...

(Becky) in Sebastian, FL(Zone 10a)

Or maybe this thread will be about something worthwhile for some here on the forum ...

I am ALWAYS looking for a new container to use as a pot. My ground soil is awful, so pots are the best option for me...

My dh got these at his workplace and they throw a few out every so often. They are like new and in perfect condition. They were used for pickles. LOL! But can be washed out with a little diluted bleach water and they make a wonderfully sturdy 5 gallon pot. The 3 reasons I decided they would be perfect:

1) Thick plastic (should hold up for many seasons).
2) Has a handle AND a lip ... to make it easier to move this container to follow the sun or shade.
3) They are solid white. In my zone the sun is brutal and bakes my plant's roots if the containers are any other color but white.

Oh yes ... a couple more reasons ...

Easy to drill drain holes in the bottom of each bucket. I am going to put down weed barrier screen in the bottom of each one to keep the soil from draining out. Only want water to drain. :-)

They have a nice flat bottom unlike many of the garden pots where their shapes seem to narrow at the bottom. Not as easy to tip over in heavy rain or windy conditions.

My husband said they throw several of these containers away every month. I told him ... NO! Grab em before they go in the dumpster and bring them home to me! I will recycle them as garden pots! I bet I could even paint them with a pretty design on the outside ... if I was so inclined! LOL!

So ... thought I might share this new idea for a container with everyone. I think painters and construction crews also use these large containers and they all get throw away when empty. Though the restaurants are probably the best place to snag a few for the asking!

That's my tip for the week! :-) ~Becky~

Thumbnail by beckygardener
(Ronnie), PA(Zone 6b)

Great idea Becky. I have them at work too but unfortunately mine have pictures and writing about pickles on them!! They would look real nice painted with MG vines on them!!

(Becky) in Sebastian, FL(Zone 10a)

Ronnie - They sell a spray paint at HD/Wally World that covers plastic. Might be something to consider if the pickle illustrations aren't to your liking! :-) I can't believe the ones my dh got are plain white. Such luck like that ... never happens to me! :-)

(Becky) in Sebastian, FL(Zone 10a)

Another idea would be to hide the container behind other pretty pots in a grouping. :-) I just think the size and shape and sturdiness are perfect for plant containers! :-) And the best thing ... they are free! LOL!

Now if I could just get potting soil for free! LOL!

(Ronnie), PA(Zone 6b)

I do have a few tomatoes in some...they are in the back where no one can see them!! LOL I'll check out the spray paint, thanks for that tip! My son does wraps for cars and such...hmmm [pretty morning glories all around me!!

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Fantasic idea, I have square vegetable crate that I use so it sits nice and square against my wall and absorbs the heat. It also has a trellis that I can move with it that can fit on hooks just in case I need to take it inside.

Grow some trailing surfinias down the edge or convolvulus tricolor.

With the handle it makes it easy to move them around the garden to follow the sun

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP