Potatoes in bags or Potatoes in big pots

[maverick451]

I use the 30l plastic buckets with handles, I have about 40 of them

I find them excellent, really good quality, very strong but not brittle, should last a very long time.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I use dustbins and old plastic water tanks as my large containers. Various other pots down to flower buckets.

Dustbins are expensive to start with but last for ever and have the advantage of a lid to pop on in case of frost. Great for main crop at 4 seeds to the bin,

If you know a plumber old plastic water tanks are free. Every time we fit a combination boiler to replace a standard boiler we remove the cold water storage tank and we have to pay to get rid of them.

For new potatoes I use black flower buckets 1 seed per bucket, last year they were 99p for 8 just need drainage holes in the bottom. These will be planted up this weekend and left in the GH until the weather improves.

I used to have some 12" square 18" high polystyrene boxes and they worked very well, unfortunately over the years they disintegrated so I am looking for some more.

Just had a thought It's Mothers Day this weekend should be some free flower buckets knocking about.

[Scoot]

Where do people get all these pots and buckets from?

And how much are they?

[maverick451]

I bought mine from ebay, they are about £2.70 each

oakland_gardens | eBay

I originally bought 10, then I liked them so much I kept buying more

[Potstubsdustbins]

The black cut flower buckets are available from the likes of Morrison's and Tesco's.

About 12ltr capacity with holes for drainage they are really useful I use them for early spuds, runner beans, tomatoes etc.

Last year they were 99p for eight if you bought new but sometimes if you catch them right like this weekend 'Mothers Day' you can get freebies.

[Scoot]

The black cut flower buckets are available from the likes of Morrison's and Tesco's.

About 12ltr capacity with holes for drainage they are really useful I use them for early spuds, runner beans, tomatoes etc.

Last year they were 99p for eight if you bought new but sometimes if you catch them right like this weekend 'Mothers Day' you can get freebies.

How on earth do you manage to get them for free? Why are they giving them away?

[Tripmeup]

How on earth do you manage to get them for free? Why are they giving them away?

Because they are a by product effectively...
They are used for storing / holding flowers that are for sale and on display on the shops...
I get mine for free every year

[roitelet]

I grew 4 potatoes at the rate of one tuber to a flower bucket. 3 out of the 4 were very successful. They were Charlotte, just about to plant more. This time Armandiene and Charlotte going into homemade compost.

[Scoot]

Because they are a by product effectively...
They are used for storing / holding flowers that are for sale and on display on the shops...
I get mine for free every year

Oh right, I see now. So you basically just go in and ask a member of staff if you can have some?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Yep but if your shy or have no success you can buy them. Like I said last year they were 99p for eight which makes them very cheap pots.

[Scoot]

Yep but if your shy or have no success you can buy them. Like I said last year they were 99p for eight which makes them very cheap pots.

With them being a by product do they keep them out the back or do they actually put them on a shelf for sale at 99p for 8?

[Tripmeup]

With them being a by product do they keep them out the back or do they actually put them on a shelf for sale at 99p for 8?

It will vary from shop to shop..Just go in and ask...Nothing ventured, nothing gained

[Lumpy]

In my Orrisons they keep their 'for sale' buckets (8 for 99p) underneath the little table they use to wrap flowers up for customers.

You could go and have a mooch around the fresh flower displays to see if their unwanteds are their.

How about trugs? Something like these although I have seen the extra large ones cheaper at Home Savers

Plastic Flexi Trugs from Plastic Box Shop

My latest idea is for my leaky water butt - we can't fix it so I am going to get the OH to cut it in half so I can use them as a super sized spud pots

[SaraJH]

I have 12l and 16l bags but after reading this post I will definitely invest in the large 30l pots for main crops.

[bobbin]

The Wilko bags look worth an experimental try..though I can see drying out a possibility. (42ltr)
But I'm going to trial buckets as well. I'm not anywhere near a Morrisons...can't see Waitrose doing that offer! Anyone else selling them? I've no ..or at least very little shame when it comes to begging lottie supplies. I actually lust after one of those big silver wire link grids they put around building sites but I'd need the rubber feet thingies they stand them in...Then there's the impossible transport of it. I digress.
My biggest problem is FUNDING the purchase of compost to fill all the potato bags and pots! I don't make enough compost and have limited amount on lottie to dig out to use. Just how good does potato growing medium need to be? I have some rotted manure