WATCHING buds flower and seedlings sprout is one of the joys of spring.
What is less fun, though, is the cost of pots and planters to grow them in.
Instead of digging deep to afford them, reuse and recycle items you already have.
FRESH START: If you’re growing things from seeds or small cuttings, don’t bother buying pots from garden centres.
Check your recycling box for plastic fruit and vegetable containers, like those that mushrooms, berries, grapes and tomatoes come in, as well as washed-out yoghurt pots.
Make holes in the bottom and fill with compost. Old egg boxes also work a treat.
Loo roll tubes can make great pots for seedlings and are biodegradable so can be planted straight into the ground when the plants are big enough.
Cut and fold to make a pot bottom and then fill with compost.
HOLE LOT OF FUN: Make your garden unique by creating pots and planters out of old household items.
For example, unwanted colanders can be repurposed as hanging baskets.
Remember to add drainage holes to containers to stop plants getting waterlogged.
You can fill old boots and wellies with compost to make a fun feature.
Old wheelbarrows or baskets make brilliant planters. You can paint tatty wooden boxes or drawers to make bright containers for bigger plants.
TOP CHIPS: Chipped crockery can be great as planters for indoor cacti or mini succulents that don’t need much water, so don’t require drainage holes.
Old floral cups give a shabby-chic style. Used candle jars or chipped glasses do the job as well.
MILK IT: Big plastic milk containers can get a second life. Cut the bottom off and place over delicate seedlings to create a mini greenhouse.
Cut out one side of it, fill with compost and use as another way to grow seedlings.
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