Clear plastic storage containers for planting

[Inastate]

Okay, so basically I can't bare the thought of slugs ruining everything this year.

I've been thinking of a way to at the very least grow salad without it being involve in some kind of slug/snail massacre and thought this might work; clear plastic storage containers with lids.



One like this. Does anybody know if these let light through? I was thinking with some smaller holes drilled in for water/ventilation they could be pretty much pest proof.

Anybody know anything about this? Surely it's been done.

Apologies if I got the forum section wrong, this one appeared to be most fitting.

Thanks

[Bigmallly]

If you were to use one of these containers, you could use the lid as a water tray to stand the container on then fasten some netting over the top. Beware the plastic will most likely crack/split after a year.

[veggiechicken]

What about drainage? Any holes in the base, that are in contact with the soil, provide access for slugs etc.

[Bill HH]

With that lid on even with small holes in, there will be little air circulating, it will all go a nasty green colour as the moss and algae build up. Slugs dont have skeletons and so can squeeze through the tiniest of holes. Maybe suspending the box from a tree would fox the little blighters.

[Two_Sheds]

...thought this might work; clear plastic storage containers with lids.

Yes, I've tried it. They grow algae very well (being clear) and fungal infections are likely if you don't ventilate them.
Also, the plastic isn't UV stable, and will shatter to million of bits in a few months

[HoofyLoo]

What about putting salad leaves in hanging baskets? We're Doing rocket in a hanging basket this year.


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[jimj]

Yes, I've tried it. They grow algae very well (being clear) and fungal infections are likely if you don't ventilate them.
Also, the plastic isn't UV stable, and will shatter to million of bits in a few months

Just a quick note on the UV-related shattering. This hasn't been my experience. I have loads of plastic containers I got from Tesco in my greenhouse. I've been growing veg in the same containers for several years with no probs - and sometimes outside too, not always in the greenhouse. I haven't had any UV-related shattering. They're as strong as when I first bought them. As can be seen from the photo, I grow oriental greens which I regularly cut and reseed and I move containers around fairly often. They don't seem to be breaking yet!

I know the original poster is talking about keeping the lid on and using outside but I thought I'd mention that these ordinary Tesco containers aren't shattering for me so far!

[lancecove]

I am a newbie when it comes to gardening and greenhouses. I too have started using plastic containers for planting (peppers, carrot, spinach to name a few) oh yes, potatoes in outside plastic containers. What I am using is good ole vaseline smeared around the sides of ALL containers. It's too slick and greasy and slugs/snails don't like it. So far so good. Also, copper is another suggestion. I bought ordinary copper scrub pads and untangled them, stretched them out and have them laid around my front porch step where there are snails and slugs. They are gross. I live in Newfoundland and we have our share, more than our share, of cold damp weather especially in the evenings. They don't like the copper. Diana.

[alexdw1]

I had the same idea

Hi,

I had the same idea. I actually have bought the containers and compost already. I've never done any gardening. My idea was to build a mini greenhouse for gardening.

Did you do this in the end?

The only downside I see at the moment is ventilation. I was thinking bigger holes, or even solar powered fan. hahaha

Thanks
Alex

[Bigmallly]

Hello Alex & welcome to the vine. Good luck with your mini greenhouse.