Builder's bags - How many?

[veggiechicken]

I've been offered on Freecycle, the opportunity to help myself to some Builder's bags (gravel and chippings). How many should I take and for what purpose?

[Aberdeenplotter]

None if you can't use the . They take up a huge amount of room. They don't last too long in bright sunlight because they aren't uv resistant so a couple of years is all you will get from them if you use them as raised beds or similar.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Presume they are full of said gravel or chippings? Is this the lady who is having trouble with GH glass only to be thinking of woman handling 1 ton builders bags.

Potty

[veggiechicken]

I have one with leaves in and I'd like a couple more for that. Then I can dot them around the garden and not have to drag them after me like a recalcitrant tortoise. Just wondering whether I can plant into them to keep rabbits out

[veggiechicken]

Presume they are full of said gravel or chippings? Is this the lady who is having trouble with GH glass only to be thinking of woman handling 1 ton builders bags.

Potty

No Silly Potty, they're empty
Coincidentally, I'd been chatting to some builders nearby who had a Jumbo bag of sand and asked whether I could have it when empty - so they're going to keep it for me. Then I get home and find lots more on offer on Freecycle just down the road too. I just want to be sure I have enough

[VirginVegGrower]

Wouldn't black bags be better for leaf rotting purposes? AP is right - they do degrade and leave bits of white material everywhere.

[veggiechicken]

I'd be for ever filling black bags! I'm hoping to plant directly into the leaf mould in the bag next year (with a few extras). The bag I'm using must be at least 10 years old but hasn't sat in the sunlight. Perhaps they were better quality then

[VirginVegGrower]

Don't know VC - ours have all degraded. I know we get a huge amount of leaves, pine needles and stuff too, so Mr VVG built the cage out of chicken wire. Try it if you have an idea of what you want from them!

[veggiechicken]

Thanks VVG. I'll see what they're like tomorrow and grab a few I may use them as liners inside a pallet framework as a planter

[alldigging]

I've been told you can use them cut up as weed fabric under mulch on paths...

[chilli_grower]

HI VC, remember those big plastic bags I had with the compost in?

I can get you loads of them!

[veggiechicken]

Hi CG, Yes please!! I like those because they are transparent - I think you could make minicloches from them
The Builder's bags that I went to get from Freecycle turned out to be the small bags that you buy sand in I did bring some home but they weren't what I had hoped for!
Are you coming to the seedswap at Chapter tomorrow?