Flower buckets

[mrs baggins]

just went to Morrisons as the cupbaords are really bare. was intending getting bread, mil etc but they had their flower buckets on sale. 8 for 99p so bought 3 lots! couldnt carry any shopping after that!

Would these be big enough to grow a squash in? also would it be say 1 tomato/pepper per bucket?

[Cutecumber]

I bought some last year. I assume they are roughly the same this year in which case they hold about 8 to 9 litres of compost.

You could try anything in them, just to see for yourself, but here is my advice...

They do not hold enough compost to support a squash.

I haven't grown sweet peppers but I can assure you a good size chilli plant does very well.

I grow tumbling tomatoes in these pots but use larger pots for standard tomatoes. Watering can become a big problem when it gets hot.

Other crops that I have grown successfully include small carrots, baby beetroot and lettuce. They are just right to grow a full size summer lettuce to maturity.

[shirlthegirl43]

I grow just about everything in these. One seed spud per bucket, one cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli etc. You can also sow one sweetcorn per bucket and only have to arrange them in a block when they are ready for pollination - takes up less room that way. I had courgettes in the buckets last year but it was such a rubbish year I had limited success, trying again this year. I sow carrots in them (in sieved garden soil) at 'final spacings' and get lovely carrots. Just remember to make drainage holes in them and keep everything well watered if the weather is dry.

Forgot to say, I also grow my tomatoes and cucumbers in them in the greenhouse - haven't had any troubles keeping them well watered.

[lottie dolly]

i got a big pile of flower pots from asda,the day before mothering sunday,FOR FREE,and my son collected more on the sunday when getting flowers,no problem,just asked,they were glad to get shot,so maybe others will GIVE you them if asked,depends what stores in your particular area

[yoanbob]

oooh will go ask, The dobbys gave me some fab ones from tesco (mr dobby works there) with brackets for hanging and everything, tumbling toms and caugettes going in them in a few weeks

[veg4681]

Yeah I've been buying them too from Morrisons but sometimes you get more than 8 pots per pack which I've always gone for .

In them, I will grow tomatoes, peppers and possibly aubergines but I don't think they're big enough for any squash, summer or winter types. I might try cucumber. Mostly only fruiting vegetables for me as I'm tight about bought compost cost.

[rustylady]

Just don't forget to make drainage holes. I've used them for tomatoes and chillies, one per pot.

[lottie dolly]

oooooo son just come with flowers ,and another 14 freeby flower buckets from asda

[Bren In Pots]

I grow most of my veg in these buckets, for drainage I drill 5 or 6 holes half inch up from the bottom of each bucket that way you've got a bit of a reservoir so your plants don't dry out too much.

[muckdiva]

Sounds interesting. Do I take it that these buckets would be near the flowers for sale area of supermarkets?

[lottie dolly]

yes muckdiva,there is usualy someone attending the flowers,you need to ask a member of staff as when they are empty the buckets are taken out the back to sent to be recycled,the day before mums day i got 30 odd of them,it was very busy that morning

[moppetsdad]

Today we went to Morrisons and we bought lots of them BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! what a bargain 48 for £3.96

[BrideXIII]

I get mine free from my co-op, about 15 a week, just have to remember to pop in and pick them up every week.
no-one else asks for them and they get thrown away otherwise.
obviously I don't need them all, and was planning on offering those I don't need on my local freecycle, sadly they have still not confirmed my subscription 4 weeks on, so I will have to think up another way. my garden is full of them now.

[MrsC]

Hi I also get these flower buckets for free from various supermarkets. I grew Marketmore cucumbers really well in them this year, peppers and toms. Have grown Potatoes before in them plus they are good for growing mint/other herbs in. I sink the buckets into the ground for my mint depending where I want it really.

[quark1]

As Bride points out - I also get mine from Co-op - who have no recycling scheme in place for the plastic at present (our area) - they're glad to be rid of them! It is a great surprise that the Co-op does not have a scheme as it places its ethical, green, free range and pest-free status high on a pedestal. I feel it probably won't be long before they recycle. I even suggested at my local shop that they stack them in tens and ask for a charitable donation to their cause of the day.

As for recycling your unused ones - if you have enough space at front of house - just place there with a notice - 'free to good home' - there'll be plenty of gardeners who perhaps have stopped short of asking for them and will be glad someone else has!