Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: carloso on January 10, 2006, 16:16:22
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anyone got any suggestions as to where i may find a lot of plant pots CHEAP !!!!!!
i am from YORKSHIRE !!!! LOL
Carl
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There's a thread somewhere on making your own out of newspaper. I did twelve last night - berliner format is perfect. They work out at about equivalent to a 3" plant pot, so should be ok for seedlings without needing to pot on for a bit (I think).
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Other than that, you may find your local garden centre has some offers on for bulk purchases, eg for quantities from 100 -1000. You may find bargains if you have a poundshop near you too ... For smaller sizes, I reclaim plastic drinks cups from the coffee machines ...
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For smaller sizes, I reclaim plastic drinks cups from the coffee machines ...
Very good suggestion, we have one of these on our floor at work, I think I will start collecting some...
mat
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If you want to buy 7cm pots in bulk with trays, the best value I have found is on this link from H.Smith Plastics:
http://www.plantcell.demon.co.uk/single%20pots.htm
- look at option K at the bottom of the page - the mixed case of singles and carrying trays. This is 1,000 7cm square flimsy black plastic pots, plus carrying trays - 15 pots fit into a tray. The cost is reasonable, (even more so if you can find someone to share with) and I have found them to be very adequate for my needs. Delivery was prompt, and came packed neatly in a square cardboard box.
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I picked up 50 polysterene cups for a quid in a Pound shop. ;D
Great for propogating as they retain heat, and my late Nan used to swear by them.
Dave
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Derek excellent idea with the drinks cup's. :)
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Thanks grass roots ...
Mutant, if you get the 'thin' drinks cups, targetted for cold drinks, they are 100 for £1
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Hey carloso, if you do a search on this site for loo rolls you will see they are popular too, and just rot away (and how green is that!) ;D
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Good idea MH,Polystyrene don't rot either..If You are carful with em you will be able to use them again. Jim
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I did a bit of searching for cheap pots before christmas and found the following places on the web
http://www.lbsgardendirect.co.uk/
http://www.kaysdiscountgarden.co.uk/
http://www.essentialscompany.co.uk/
http://www.thegardensuperstore.co.uk/
The "H Smith plastics" that jennyM posted are very cheap (and I'm told very friendly if you drop by their factory in Essex), but they are a little flimsier than the Sankey or Teku pots.
Cheapest place I found in the end was my local zoo - they buy thousands of bedding plants and had loads of clean, neatly stacked pots free to take away. Made a reasonable amount of money for the school PTA last year selling plants at the summer fair, (we pretty much sold out), so I wanted more pots so I could sell more plants.
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And for starting seedlings Joy Larkcom suggests used teabags....
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???
Erm......used teabags? How? Why? I really need to know now!!
;D ;D ;D
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Haven't got book to hand, but many people recommend adding teabags to compost so presumably the plants like the stuff as a fertiliser. Don't know if anyone's tried this. We could do an experiment recycling all the teabreak paraphernalia - teabag to cup, then potting on into teapot? Spout would be useful for feeding and watering :)
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I used to get loads of free ones from supermarket building sites and refits when i was working on site. All the ones from the plants they put out in the car parks etc.. just get binned. I just helped me self from the skip, some massive ones too.
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Go to your local municipal park and give the gardener a drink, he will then save you all the used bedding pots which they usually put in a skip.
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Joy Larkcom also suggests planting seeds in egg boxes - using the sections as modules and planting straight out. After your potatoes have chitted of course! Have got a mountain of egg boxes and loo rolls saved now so all ready to go.
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Hi Carl,
I've got loads of 1litre pots that I had given, you can have 100 anytime you are in Sowerby Bridge Near Halifax. PM me if you want some.
Brian
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Mum always used to put tea leaves on the rose bushes, she never used tea bags.Then again mom and dad never owned a car, hasnt life changed!
My wife puts a tea bag in the pot of houseplants. I compost them.
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In Wilkinsons the other day I bought some 'Breeding pots' - flimsy, but cheap - in various sizes at 99p per pack:
6cm x 96
8cm x 72
10.5 x 48
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I use toilet rolls for sweet peas mainly
Yougart pots are worth saving and also old coke/lemonade bottles.
I use the tops as a mini bell cloches/propagators
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If you have a plant auction firm near you go and have a look. My late husband just could not help buying BOXES of 2nd hand pots. Last year I managed to give away about 200 of mixed sizes. I still have at least that amount again to dispose of. (trying to clear my sun room) Have got one of the metal coal bunkers which is also full of the da*n things!!!.
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What's a plant auction firm? Never heard of them ???
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Re the toilet rolls for sweetpeas - do you put anything over the bottom or just stand them up in a pot or jammed in a tray - wondering if they will fall over spilling compost everywhere?? ???
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Bupster. There are two firms that hold auctions of plants every Saturday and I think the other big day is Wednesday . The auction halls are opposite each other in Wisbech.. My husband loved going to them (or any kind of auction for that matter) and this is how I have landed up with so many plant pots!! Very often there are boxes of plant pots and you just bid on them, usually very very cheap.
Going off topic slightly, last year I went on my own and bought some very nice plants which I spoke about on here. My heathers @ 28p each have turned out brilliantly.
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Ooh, Wisbech, I can get there! Might just see you there one of these days :)
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Bupster. I thought the same when I looked at where you live!! I don't know if I am allowed to give the names of the firms, if I am you could always ring and ask if there are any pots in the auction that week. Have spent many a Sat morn'afternoon there. Thousand of plants , trees/bulbs depending of time of year. The thing to do is to look for small lots which are suitable for the non commercial gardener.
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Amanda - if you stand them in a plastic ice-cream box they won't fall over. :)
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Sounds fabulous. Whereabouts in Wisbech? I can get there by bus, I think?
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amanda21 they are all jammed in a tray.
The reason I use toilet rolls for sweet peas is that it is a cheap option and they allow for a longer root system.
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Re toilet rolls ...
I use a tray with a perforated bottom so the compost runs out between the rolls when you fill them with compost and the rolls stay together longer (like bread trays, one of my lottie neighbours gets them from work). I use a jam pot filler for better aim ;D(funnel with the end cut off and a big hole!)
Re Wisbech ...
Grounds and Maxey's are two of the Wisbech auction houses, there are others. Plug, plug, Downham Market on Friday mornings is always good in season for seedlings e.g. leeks, brassicas - 70p for ten in 2005 ::), they are in good nick and there are always more than ten in each bundle. Best to get there early, they go like hot cakes!
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Bupster. As Supersprout has said one firm is Maxey, the other is Clifford Cross opposite each other in Chapel Rd. Just off OLD Market place.
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I picked up 50 polysterene cups for a quid in a Pound shop. ;D
Great for propogating as they retain heat, and my late Nan used to swear by them.
Dave
A brilliant idea Dave, pound shops here I come. I always save yoghurt cups but I think the polystyrene would work better.
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Check the 'origami posting in 'Top tips' for DIY pots.