Reclaim the earth! (Garden recycling)

[shovetheholly]

I've started to use the plastic trays that mushrooms come in for seedlings. They are brilliant because the plastic is quite thick - actually better than a lot of cheap seed trays you buy! The big ones that hold nearly a kilo of mushrooms are great for stacking in loads of loo rolls or peat pots, and the small ones are just the right size for a large batch of seeds. I just poke drainage holes in the bottom with an awl.

This got me wondering how many other things I currently throw away that could be reused in the garden...

flour bags make great 'pots' for seedlings, esp those with big roots like sunflowers.
you can then just plant the whole thing out, bag and all.

Wow - I'd never thought of that. I think I'd just assumed the paper would disintegrate too easily! I'm going to give the flour bags a go when I sow my courgettes!

I use loo rolls for sweet peas and beans. I keep a basket outside the bathroom and just pop them in there when they are finished. I start saving in January for sweet peas and from now for pole beans.

I am putting aside egg cartons.

What do you use them for Vertigo? As little pots?

I sort of fold them over so the sides are double sided.
the paper rips easy when wet, but it stood on a tray it's ok.

I use the very big marmite jars to grow things on the kitchen windowsill

Squash bottles as cloches, or to protect seedlings from slugs (turn the top of the bottle over and use it as a funnel "cone of shame" around the shoot), it also provides support for the first branches.

for the bottle cloche. Really works too!

My friend has spent ages collecting tons of the new, squarish clear plastic juice bottles from Waitrose. She's filled them with water and used them to line a cold frame. Apparently, the sun warms the water and it stays hotter for longer, supplying radiant heat to the plants in the night.

One idea I stole from pintrest last year empty plastic 2 litre bottle, lid on, lay flat and cut large rectangle. Grow something bushy in it and draw eyes near lid, one little hedgehog

I also sink plastic bottles into the ground (leave a good bit sticking up, so nice beasties don't fall in), to direct water straight to the roots of thirsty plants like squash and courgette.

That bottle cold frame thing sounds interesting...

My plot neighbours have those MASSIVE water dispensers that you get in offices and gyms, to use as giant cloches and I am a bit jealous.

I had grand plans to make seed pots from newspaper, but that has not yet happened.

Empty food cans with holes in the bottom and painted make lovely pots! File away the sharp edge first though.

cupcakes - that sounds suspiciously like craft. I am rubbish at craft. . Bet it would look great when done by someone competent, thought.

zebra - I never thought of using those bottles in that way! How clever. Wonder where I can get a supply....

People at my allotment have used those very robust wooden packing boxes for stone flags as raised beds. They have enclosed sides and base, so all they need is a bit of paint. They look like really expensive raised beds once the labels are removed.

DS nursery made a greenhouse out of 200+ 2 litre plastic bottles. That's more lemonade than I'd drink in a lifetime though.

I'm planning on converting an old shelf on the patio to a mini greenhouse by wrapping it in cling film.

didireally - I saw a greenhouse like that at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, and thought how utterly clever it was!

I've made old shoes into plant pots on my porch. They aren't brilliant because the water evaporates very fast but they look quite effective.

Pot up seedlings in yogurt pots too.

the little plastic lidded containers that you get mini chocolate brownies strawberries in are great as mini propagators.

Pinterest is brilliant for this type of stuff.