Container Options

The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing containers for your plants. Of course, there are hundreds of conventional containers to choose from, but don’t just stop there.

Container gardens can be shining examples of recycling at work. Plant tomatoes or peppers in bushel baskets lined with plastic. Use a leftover piece of pipe from plumbing projects, drainage tiles that have been stood on end. Stack tires one on top of the other to make a raised planter to whatever height is comfortable, old coffee cans, plastic pails, wooden fruit crates, plastic milk crates, even heavy plastic bags can make fine planters.

Just remember to choose a container that will provide enough root room for the plant. Then poke a few drainage holes in the bottom of whatever you use, add a layer of gravel, pebbles, or broken clay pots to keep the drainage holes clear and line the container with plastic if it is too porous.

If weight is a consideration, especially on a balcony or roof, choose plastic over clay or wood. Not only is it lighter, but it doesn’t dry out as fast.