PLASTIC POTS BE GONE

Don’t get me wrong, plastic pots definitely have their place. It would be very difficult for garden centres and nurseries to stop using them and they are great for starting your own seedlings. However, there gets a point where the plastic degrades (usually from the sun) and breaks. There’s not really much you can do with a broken pot and now you are left with plastic that will have to go into land fill. As gardeners, we are supposed to be doing our bit for the environment, so it’s about time we looked into some alternatives.

For starting seedlings, one option is to use bio degradable cardboard cups. These are the perfect size for almost any seedlings. Just be sure to poke some drainage holes in the bottom before filling with potting or raising mix. The cardboard helps to absorb any excess moisture in the soil, will degrade nicely in a compost bin or worm farm and you can even plant out the seedling still in the cup (I’d advise cutting out the bottom first). This keeps the seedling protected, reduces soil being lost from the root system and will eventually degrade into the soil, adding carbon to the seedling and surrounding plants.

For larger plants, a great option is a canvas or woven planter bag. These come in a range of sizes and can go all the way up to 100 litres! Canvas pots are around a 3rd of the price of the equivalent plastic pot, take up far less storage space when not in use and have great benefits for the plants. The material helps keep the root system aerated and lets the excess moisture seep out to avoid over watering. Most have strong sturdy handles which makes moving your pots around the garden so much easier. Another advantage is that natural woven and canvas bags will eventually bio degrade, making your gardening a little more guilt free.