I’ve you ever wondered, “Where to find free containers for your garden?” I hit the jackpot!
I was at The Home Depot the other day picking up some more stain for the fence. Suddenly I noticed a HUGE rack of empty plastic planting containers over in the garden center. I know I’ve mentioned this on the blog before, but for those of you that may have missed it, there is NO REASON WHATSOEVER to buy plastic planting containers. Like ever.
And really, with there being so many free ones out there in the universe these days, buying a plastic container is basically like lighting your money on fire. Gaaa. Who wants to do that? Save your money for ice cream!
Even if you don’t have a big box garden center near you, there are oodles of places to snag free containers for seed starting, or container gardening in general. My neighbors are using old Tidy Cat buckets to grow cucumbers in for Pete’s sake. 😉 Another neighbor is using old fishing buckets to grow tomatoes alongside his house. Apparently, it’s a thing here in Maine, and let me tell you Bob, these people know a thing or two about being thrifty. I LOVE it!
6 Places to Find Free Gardening Containers
- Garden Centers
- Craigslist, Freecycle, Local Facebook Groups
- Bakeries {hello 5 gallon buckets!}
- Recycling Centers
- Restaurants {another great source for 2.5 and 5 gallon buckets}
- Don’t forget milk jugs, coffee cans, egg shells and 2 liter bottles all work great as plant containers
And if you are into starting your seeds indoors during the late winter/early spring months, one of my all-time favorite containers to find for free are the long flats you often see “pony packs” of flowers in.
Not only are those trays easy to handle and will fit on a bench or folding table nicely, but they’re perfect for starting seedlings. Especially if you use soil blocks or those cute little Jiffy pellets I love so much.
Anyway, it always seems like everyone and their brother is throwing out plastic containers this time of year but come early spring, they are always scrambling for them. So now you know where to find free containers for your garden – plan ahead, grab what you think you’ll need now, and tuck them away for next spring. You’ll be so glad you did. 🙂
Have a great day everyone, and stay cool.
~Mavis
Liinda DeGroot says
Garden centers I go to give nothing away. Bakeries sell their buckets. I found three pots in the trash that was thrown in a ditch. I cut off vinegar jugs for free. I wish I could find all those free places you mention.
Mavis Ens says
me too
Jennifer says
We live in the mountains of NC and to us, Maine has always been a much colder state. However, our highs this week and next are in the low 70s, always with a cool mountain breeze. Hope today’s 84 is an anomaly.
Christy says
Another source is neighbor’s recycling bins (or next to the trash cans). I have grabbed some nice containers, including hanging baskets, that people were throwing out… silly people 😀
Nancy D says
Be really careful because some areas consider it city/county propert once it enters their recycling bin. People have been fined here for taking things out!
Sue says
I keep the pots when I buy starts from the farmer’s market, Azure Standard or the nursery, or when I order plants to be shipped.
Mable says
When I was still working a regular job, instead of doing freelance, I found the easiest way to get planting supplies was to send out an email saying I was looking for starting containers, flats, pots or anything large enough to be used for planting (like 5 gallon containers), and I would happily accept donations. The first time I did this I was so flooded with offerings that I put the excess in the staff room and told people who were looking for gardening items to help themselves. Within two years that evolved into a staff potluck where people brought extra pots and seeds and transplants and other people were free to help themselves. It was a small office of about 30 people so not every place could do this, but it actually helped with camaraderie and certainly helped the environment and people’s finances. And then in the middle of summer people started bringing extra produce to the staff office, inviting others to take it.
Nancy D says
That’s tremendous! How wonderful!
Dianna says
I love this! Gardening brings people together.
Joyce says
I used dog food bags, cut in half and poked holes in the bottom for drainage. I am growing potatoes as an experiment.
It does look as though I am growing dog food and that’s what I tell people….I wish!
Joyce
Debby T says
My son works for a landscaping company. They go through all sizes of planter containers from individual flowers to large trees. He has brought home any size I’ve needed. I donated some to the 4-H for starter plants. I have gone to the location they operate from and pots are laying every where. My son also brings home a lot of plant rejects. I have what I call a rescue garden. If you know someone who works for a landscaping company or have one near by, check to see if you could recycle some. Years ago, before my son worked there, I delivered mail and crossed paths with landscapers all day. I asked if those pots on the truck were extra and was able to take them off their hands.
Dianna says
I ran out of plastic containers this spring and used cardboard boxes for planting greens. Some of my lettuce is still growing in them, shaded by the squash leaves. It worked great. Luckily I live in the country where no one cares how my yard looks.
I also use plastic containers from rotisserie chicken, bakery cakes, etc. as mini-greenshouses for seedlings.
Katrina Fournier says
I used to make starter pots out of newspaper (wrapped around a toilet paper roll and then slit on the bottom to close it off). These days I don’t start seeds since they never did as well as the starts I got. In Detroit they don’t have the rack you talk about, but if you buy starts or annuals, you can keep your containers from year to year.
Tiffany F says
Call a couple restaurants near you. I got some a couple weeks ago from Chick Fil A. The first one I called donates their pickle buckets to a local food shelter, but the 2nd one I called does give them away.
Miki says
I work in fast food, so I’m bringing home drinks every day in 30 oz plastic cups. We keep those to use every year.