Root Trainer!

[Seahorse]

I had a go at making my own root trainers out of empty 2 litre pop bottles. Cut off the top and bottom so you are left with a tube, then cut this from top to bottom, then again on the opposite side so that you are left with 2 curved pieces of plastic. Gently roll one up, and pop an elastic band to the top and bottom of tube to hold in place. When you have filled them all up stand in a tray and place a large elastic band round all of them to keep them standing upright.

Another great moneysaver to try! Thanks Eden

[Eden]

My pleasure! I always try to find cheaper home made alternatives. I'm trying to find something to use as Ecomesh, at £15 a go it seems very expensive! I might try old net curtains, so I'll be scouring the charity shops for some!

[veg-patch]

Hi all
Being very new to growing, I had heard about root trainers was wondering what they were and did. after reading this thread I have not only learned what they do but how to make them and save money.
thanks everyone

[21again]

Hi there

I use them, but i fold them a bit to make the roots go downwards when they hit the sides. To do this, I squash the circle into a flat, and do it again to make it square. Then fold the straight bits in so that it becomes a sort of star shape. Then use.

Like this?

[Glutton4...]

You can buy used Rootrainers cheaply here;

eBay Seller: hendersonles: Home Garden items on eBay.co.uk

Their service is excellent!

[King Carrot]

You can buy used Rootrainers cheaply here;

eBay Seller: hendersonles: Home Garden items on eBay.co.uk

Their service is excellent!

I ordered some from here last week and then got an email to say they were very sorry but they were short on used ones and hope it's OK that we're sending new ones instead

Top Sellers if you ask me!

[Nykied]

My pleasure! I always try to find cheaper home made alternatives. I'm trying to find something to use as Ecomesh, at £15 a go it seems very expensive! I might try old net curtains, so I'll be scouring the charity shops for some!

Join your local Freegle or Freecycle, that's where I got my net curtains for my carrots from. Free (you just have to collect) and net curtains aren't as popular on there as things like TVs.

I picked up some long pieces of wood for making a frame to go over my veg patch and also loads of plant pots just tonight.

If you live between different towns, join each one. I'm in between Harrogate and York, so I joined them, and also joined Leeds. I moved from St. Helens, so I also joined the St. Helens group and the Warrington group and my parents or sister can could collect if I wanted them to.

Set up a new email address for the site though, as, if you have the sites set up for an email to come through each time something's posted, you get loads of emails. You can set it so that it sends you one email per day from each site, but then you can miss out on loads of stuff, especially popular things.

[Right Shed Fred]

I know this thread is old, but my query is in rootrainers so I’m gonna stick it here anyway...
Has anyone tried those rigid rootrainers? I have the book type ones which I love. Unfortunately the kids find them fascinating, and it’s only a matter of time before they are accidentally destroyed.
The rigid ones (Nutley) seem like a good solution/compromise, but in reality, does one end up destroying the lovely roots when getting it out?

[rary]

If you are referring to the 5in. deep cell trays, I use a 6in. nail and push the plants out with the nail head never had any bother with the root system breaking up, lf you have smaller fingers than mine you may be able to put you finger through the base hole

[Right Shed Fred]

Yes, that’s the sort. Good to know you have success with them.