I used to have a book somewhere by Geoff Hamilton. Something like gardening for a £1 a week. OK so it was written in the 70s but how about a thrifty gardening thread. We see all the plastic pots come in the shops in the spring but lots of us want to save money by growing our own flowers and veg. So what alternatives do we use that can be found lying around the house?

I have been saving the trays you get with some veg (eg mange tout and baby sweetcorn) and some dessert trays to use with a little bit of gravel in as plant saucers for my seedlings. Yoghurt pots and marg tubs (with holes poked in the bottom) are good for growing on seedlings too.

I have been saving the trays you get with some veg (eg mange tout and baby sweetcorn) and some dessert trays to use with a little bit of gravel in as plant saucers for my seedlings. Yoghurt pots and marg tubs (with holes poked in the bottom) are good for growing on seedlings too.

There good ideas Suebeedoo. (I like your username) I have just been looking at pop bottles as planters and mini greenhouses.

I have been using the inners from loo rolls to start off root veg and things like peas and sweet peas that dont like their roots fiddled with. I have also been using fruit trays - some of them have lids too so can be used as mini propogators. I have had a little success with making my own newspaper pots too. Plenty of people are around that have a clearout in the garage and will give pots away. Oh the money I have previously spent on buying pots and seed trays :lol: As for seeds I am unlikely to have the space to grow 750 carrots etc so share packs with friends. Buy a small fuchia and take lots of cuttings to get lots of plants. Im sure there are loads more :nod:

I have been using the inners from loo rolls to start off root veg and things like peas and sweet peas that dont like their roots fiddled with. I have also been using fruit trays - some of them have lids too so can be used as mini propogators. I have had a little success with making my own newspaper pots too. Plenty of people are around that have a clearout in the garage and will give pots away. Oh the money I have previously spent on buying pots and seed trays :lol: As for seeds I am unlikely to have the space to grow 750 carrots etc so share packs with friends. Buy a small fuchia and take lots of cuttings to get lots of plants. Im sure there are loads more :nod:

Oh I was thinking about you today LisaH. We were making our own labels for the seeds. The kids wrote on paper and drew on the backs. THen we laminated them. I thought it might be an idea for your school garden project.

Oh I was thinking about you today LisaH. We were making our own labels for the seeds. The kids wrote on paper and drew on the backs. THen we laminated them. I thought it might be an idea for your school garden project.

I was thinking of doing something similar or painting some labels onto pebbles and then coating them in a protective PVA layer which might be nice (something you could do with your kids too - was thinking about making some bumble bees or ladybirds this way too). On the thrifty gardening side though for labels you can use yoghurt pots cut into strips and write on the inside surface :D

I was thinking of doing something similar or painting some labels onto pebbles and then coating them in a protective PVA layer which might be nice (something you could do with your kids too - was thinking about making some bumble bees or ladybirds this way too). On the thrifty gardening side though for labels you can use yoghurt pots cut into strips and write on the inside surface :D

they sound like great ideas. I did go o the hunt for yoghurt pots as labels then got stuck with the indecisiveness of shall I use them as labels or pots. :hihi:

I think they pebble ideas are great. Especially at the allotment where you have a big group of the same thing.

I have just been looking at pop bottles as planters and mini greenhouses.

That's a good idea. I keep meaning to save some 1pt milk cartons to cut in half and pop around the broad beans when they come through to protect them from pesky slugs and mice.

I have been using the inners from loo rolls to start off root veg and things like peas and sweet peas that dont like their roots fiddled with.

I wish I had thought of the loo roll thing - too late now as my sweet peas are going great guns (am trying to slow them down actually!).

I am not doing a seed swap, but a seedling swap with a friend. It makes more sense as we both have limited space to propigate and it seems easier to concentrate on a small number of different plants, rather than juggle loads. (Although saying that, there isn't any spare room in the greenhouse or windowsills at the moment!).