hi folks,since getting our lovely cat,and about to get kitten number 2,we go though tons of cat food,and consequently have more tins than before,just wondering how we can use them at the lottie,ive thought maybe i could take both ends off and use them to protect seedlings when we first transplant them.anyone got any other ideas?
rach
Think I saw on Gardener's World that they used them to start off deep rooted crops.........
I saw that, but think she said the white lined cans were better for some reason that I can't quite remember and there was some way of taking the lid off so you could slip the plant into the soil without disturbing it. I expect someone else saw it with a better memory than me.
Yes, I think they kept the peeled lid/bottom in place and slipped it away before planting
We have loads of empty dog food cans but they (like a lot of other cans) have corrugations running around the sides. I was thinking about using them but was worried in case I couldn't get te plant out of the can due to the corrugations. Straight sided soup cans are great but we don't have many of them. Plastic drain pipe is even better and you can have it as deep as you want.
you can take the lids off with a rotary can opener price £1 from pound shop
makes a perfect job
Quote from: downtoearth on April 13, 2009, 23:43:31
Think I saw on Gardener's World that they used them to start off deep rooted crops.........
I've been using them since last year for potting on my toms, cucurbits, sweet peppers, etc in place of a three inch pot.
GH tip about cutting the bottom so you can push the plant out is a good one but i will stick to the knock on the bottom with a hammer and tada one loosened plant.
Quote from: Borlotti on April 13, 2009, 23:48:49
I saw that, but think she said the white lined cans were better for some reason that I can't quite remember and there was some way of taking the lid off so you could slip the plant into the soil without disturbing it. I expect someone else saw it with a better memory than me.
she noted that the uncoated tins a quicker to rust which makes the plant roots more likely to stick to the sides. what i find is if i make sure the root ball is completely soaked when ready for planting out this doesn't cause any problems.
tell you wot . having an allotment inspires the mind it creates imagination
;D
There are two types of tin in use now. The first is the old type with a seam both ends, these would be easy to remove both ends. The second has recently appeared and only has a seam one end, you can't remove the other end with a tin opener. I tried grinding the end off but it's not worth it. I've given up on the idea.
Alys on GW said they had to be the ring-pull type,but I guess this was just for safety as you don't get a jagged edge round the top.
I think that tin cans should be put in the recycling system and disposed of along with dumb presenters.There are far better objects floating round the planet than metal cans. The sooner we get rid of rubbish TV programs the better as well.
Quote from: Eristic on April 14, 2009, 12:01:36
I think that tin cans should be put in the recycling system and disposed of along with dumb presenters.There are far better objects floating round the planet than metal cans. The sooner we get rid of rubbish TV programs the better as well.
well since i have been using this tip since last year and i thought i up all on my lonesome because at the time i had tons of tin cans in the recycle bin and no money to buy pots and needed a bigger pot that a newspaper made one, i suppose i need to be disposed of also along with them there dump presenters :-[. ah well thats life.
Quote from: thifasmom on April 14, 2009, 12:22:35
i had tons of tin cans in the recycle bin and no money to buy pots and needed a bigger pot that a newspaper made one
Why not make bigger newspaper pots?
Quote from: Baccy Man on April 14, 2009, 12:28:47
Quote from: thifasmom on April 14, 2009, 12:22:35
i had tons of tin cans in the recycle bin and no money to buy pots and needed a bigger pot that a newspaper made one
Why not make bigger newspaper pots?
i tried and they fell apart on me so i went for what else i had lying around and solved my problem, was really happy with the results so I'm using them this year again and have eliminated the paper pots all together :)
I think you find what works for you. On my travels I've seens all sorts of objects used as plant pots - from large tin cans, coconut shells, casings from shells its all about whats to hand, money and what works
1066
Must admit my favourites are large cream cartons ;)