Alexei Volkov
Plastic containers are versatile and can be repurposed in many ways. One way to repurpose a big red plastic container is to turn it into a planter. This not only adds a unique touch to your garden decor but also helps reduce waste. Here are some tips and tricks to guide you through the process of transforming your container into a vibrant planter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To create a planter or hanging planter |
| Materials | Large, bottle-like plastic container, scissors or knife, cable ties, chain, plants, soil |
| Steps | Cut out holes in the container, add soil and plants, attach cable ties and chain for hanging |
| Customization | Paint the container, add pine cones, dried flowers, or driftwood, stack multiple pots together |
| Other Uses | Storage, scooping, compost or mulch containers, pest deterrents, weed buckets |
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What You'll Learn
Create a hanging planter
Plastic containers can be repurposed into beautiful hanging planters. This is a great way to upcycle and save money, and you can customise the planter to your liking. To create a hanging planter, you will need a large, bottle-like plastic container, scissors or a knife, cable ties, a chain to hang it, and an inch plant.
First, trace and cut out holes in your container. You will need a lot of them, so it is best to do them in layers. Once you have cut out the holes, start inserting parts of your inch plant so they fit snugly. These should be around 3-4 inches in size. Repeat this process, adding a layer of soil and a layer of the inch plant on top, until you reach the highest level of your container. You can also add some on top to make it appear fuller.
For the hanging part, take some cable ties and attach three of them to the planter before attaching them to a hanger chain. This hack works well as the bottom of the plastic bottle helps to hold everything in place, almost acting as a plant pot. You can also cut the container in half on a slant to create a planter for your flowers. For this option, switch out the chain for some string.
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Use as a worm composter
You can repurpose your big red plastic container as a worm composter, also known as a vermicomposter. Here's what you need to do:
Step 1: Drill Holes
Drill holes in your big red plastic container. Space 3/16-inch holes in the bottom of your container about 1 inch apart. Next, drill 1/8-inch-diameter holes about 1 inch apart through the top of the container around the entire circumference. These holes will provide aeration, helping to break down the contents quickly.
Step 2: Prepare the Bedding
Place bedding at the bottom of your container. Worm bedding can be made from cardboard, newspaper, or coconut coir, among other materials. Moisten the bedding with water. It should feel like a wrung-out sponge.
Step 3: Add Worms
Add a type of earthworm known as red wiggler worms (Eisenia fetida and E. andrei) to your container. These worms are ideal for worm composting as they produce a larger volume of waste, reproduce quickly, and thrive at standard indoor temperatures. You can purchase these worms online or from another worm bin owner.
Step 4: Add Food Scraps
Collect your vegetable and fruit food scraps in a separate container with a tight-fitting lid. Once a week, add the food scraps to your worm bin. Bury the food scraps in the bedding, and cover them with a layer of bedding and moist paper to prevent attracting fruit flies. Feed the worms approximately three times their weight per week, and adjust the amount as needed.
Step 5: Harvest the Compost
As the worms digest the food scraps, they will produce vermicompost. You can harvest this compost and use it as fertilizer in your garden. To make harvesting easier, you can create multiple bins and switch between them, allowing the worms to fully process the contents of one bin while you fill another.
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Make a garden sculpture
A red, big plastic container can be repurposed in many ways to create a garden sculpture. Here are some ideas:
Stacking and Securing with Wire
You can stack multiple pots together and secure them with wire to create garden sculptures. You can make totems, colourful critters, or rustic flower pot people. Spray paint the pots in bright hues or use them as a painter's canvas to add a creative and personal touch.
Hanging Planters
You can turn your big red plastic container into a beautiful hanging planter. Cut out holes in the container, insert an inch plant, and add soil. Repeat this process, creating layers of plants and soil until you reach the top of the container. Then, attach cable ties and a hanger chain to suspend your creation. This method creates the illusion of a hanging plant while reducing the amount of visible plastic.
Cut and Fill
Cut your big red plastic container in half, or on a slant, and fill it with soil. You can then plant flowers or shrubs, and hang it from a fence or wall for a unique and playful touch to your garden. This method is perfect for sports fans, as it resembles a basketball cut in half.
Suitcase Planter
If you have a hard-shell suitcase, you can repurpose it into a garden bed. Line the suitcase with plastic to prevent leaking, then fill it with soil and your choice of plants. This adds a touch of nostalgia and adventure to your garden, creating an eye-catching display.
Worm Composting
Create a worm composting system by drilling holes in the sides and bottom of your big red plastic container. Sink the container into your garden, fill it with kitchen scraps and yard debris, and let the worms do the rest. In a few weeks, you'll have compost and worm castings that can be used as fertilizer for your plants.
With a bit of creativity, your big red plastic container can find new life as a unique and functional garden sculpture.
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Protect young plants
To protect young plants, you can cut the bottom out of your red plastic container and slip it over the young plants, pressing it slightly into the soil. This will protect them from hungry herbivores like rabbits and cutworms. If you mulch your beds, an upside-down pot will prevent small plants from being smothered. You can also use smaller plastic containers as mini greenhouses to protect tender young plants from birds, rabbits, and other critters.
If you're mulching, cover each young plant with your large red plastic container before you start. This will prevent the young plants from being accidentally buried in mulch. You can also use your large red plastic container as a liner pot for a decorative planter without drainage holes. This will allow you to remove the plant and liner pot to water the plant outside of the decorative planter.
If you're worried about frost damaging your young plants, you can cut a 2-litre plastic bottle in half and place the top half over the plant to protect it from the cold.
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Use as a scooper
A large red plastic container can be used as a scooper for potting soil. The thin, rigid edges of the container make it ideal for scooping. You can also use smaller plastic containers as shakers to distribute fertilizer, animal repellent, and other granular material. The hole at the bottom will slowly sift the contents, allowing you to scoop and spread it over your garden beds.
Large plastic containers can also be used to hold and distribute mulch, compost, or other garden amendments. The lightweight and flexible nature of plastic containers makes them convenient for spreading these materials around your garden. You can also use smaller plastic pots as scoops for collecting and distributing worm castings from your worm compost system.
If you have multiple large plastic containers, you can use them to scoop and store garden debris. Place the containers in various locations around your garden, such as behind raised beds or shrubbery, to have a handy debris bucket wherever you're working. This way, you can easily collect and scoop up garden waste as you work.
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