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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: katynewbie on March 27, 2006, 08:52:23

Title: Crocks!
Post by: katynewbie on March 27, 2006, 08:52:23
???

What do people use as crocks for their pots?
Funnily enough, I do not have a huge stash of old terracotta pots just waiting to be broken up, so am pondering what to use instead.

All ideas welcome!!
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: MikeB on March 27, 2006, 09:04:58
polystyrene from packaging, lighter and works really well.
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Hyacinth on March 27, 2006, 09:15:13
Quote from: MikeB on March 27, 2006, 09:04:58
polystyrene from packaging, lighter and works really well.

Same here, but also have a couple of buckets of small stones I collect as I go around.Amazes me how these appear during the winter :)
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: sandersj89 on March 27, 2006, 09:20:13
Another vote for polystyrene.

Over the years I have also amassed a fail bit of terracotta.

Jerry
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Doris_Pinks on March 27, 2006, 09:21:30
Me too on the polystyrene front, when I buy a few bedding plants in those awful poly boxes, I rip em up and put them in the bottom of my pots. Lasts for ever!
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: katynewbie on March 27, 2006, 09:21:49
;D

The polystyrene which surrounded my George Foreman grill will be pressed into use immediately!! Knew I was right to keep it!!!

;)
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: froglets on March 27, 2006, 09:30:35
I'm experimenting with upturned plastic plant pots and builders sand, only 'cos I keep coming home with another plant.....  and I've got sand left over from the path building last year.  I've also tried scrunched up bubble wrap and scrounged polystyrene packing nuggets from work. Previosly I've resorted to buying household crockery from jumble sales and charity shops, so I can break it up for crocks.
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Hyacinth on March 27, 2006, 10:57:17
Quote from: froglets on March 27, 2006, 09:30:35
Previosly I've resorted to buying household crockery from jumble sales and charity shops, so I can break it up for crocks.

BUY? you BUY ??? :o You must stop that bad habit immediately ;D
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: froglets on March 27, 2006, 11:35:15
Well, it is for charity - mate.
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: MikeB on March 27, 2006, 13:00:36
Hi froglets,

This is from memory therefore not too reliable, but builders sand I believe is too alkaline for plants, sharp sand only.
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: froglets on March 27, 2006, 13:09:31
Thanks for the reminder - I can never remember which lot is which ( especially when mixing cement).  It shouldn't matter in this case as it will be a long way down.  I'm doing lots of salad veg in big tubs 18" square, but they're also 18" deep, so I'm also looking for ways to reduce the amount of compost I need to fill them as this year it's all having to be bought ( oops, swore again).

I had thought of turning the plastic pots upside down to take up space at the  bottom, but then realised the weight of the compost might crush them, so thought of sand for strength, & the it will still drain.

No idea if this is in any way practical, I'm making it up as I go along.
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: bennettsleg on March 27, 2006, 13:39:32
Quote from: katynewbie on March 27, 2006, 08:52:23
???

What do people use as crocks for their pots?
Funnily enough, I do not have a huge stash of old terracotta pots just waiting to be broken up, so am pondering what to use instead.

All ideas welcome!!

You're welcome to come to a P-Y-O-Stones session at my allotment if you like? 2 pole minimum... ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: daisymay on March 27, 2006, 13:44:24
;D very funny Bennets leg and your user name still makes me giggle after I read the "how did you get your name" thread.

Polysterene is a good idea. Will have to keep some in the future, always tend to bin it!
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Doris_Pinks on March 27, 2006, 14:04:53
Quote from: froglets on March 27, 2006, 09:30:35
scrounged polystyrene packing nuggets from work.
Froglets I used these once, and soon found out they were actually biodegrable ones! :-[ Brilliant for the enviroment, but not so good for my plants! :-\
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Shirley on March 27, 2006, 15:16:43
Corks from the wine bottles!  They are nearly all synthetic these days.
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: supersprout on March 27, 2006, 15:29:09
The garden centre in Downham Market (which sells flower pots and planters) has a huge basket of broken crocks, you just help yourself. Maybe other garden centres do, or would do if asked?
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Hyacinth on March 27, 2006, 16:04:30
Quote from: Shirley on March 27, 2006, 15:16:43
Corks from the wine bottles!  They are nearly all synthetic these days.

They're also brill for putting on the ends of canes..
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: katynewbie on March 27, 2006, 16:10:21
:-\

d**n, have thrown away the european cork mountain over the years...

;)
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Dan 2 on March 27, 2006, 16:13:53
I seem to drop pots outside, mugs e.t.c inside and use them for crocks. I have this annoying habit of turning round quite fast outside and SMASHING a pot! Good idea about wine corks, another use of the claret!  Dan :-)
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: daisymay on March 27, 2006, 16:43:36
Quote from: Shirley on March 27, 2006, 15:16:43
Corks from the wine bottles!  They are nearly all synthetic these days.

all I need - another excuse to drink wine... well if I have to, is for a good cause after all....
Title: Re: Crocks!
Post by: Shirley on March 27, 2006, 17:46:28
Quote from: daisymay on March 27, 2006, 16:43:36
Quote from: Shirley on March 27, 2006, 15:16:43
Corks from the wine bottles!  They are nearly all synthetic these days.

all I need - another excuse to drink wine... well if I have to, is for a good cause after all....

Make sure that the bottles do not have screw caps - that defeats the good cause :D