Sofia Martinez
Plastic plant containers with one flat side can be reused in a variety of ways. They can be used for their original purpose, i.e., as plant containers, or for other purposes such as bird feeders, seed starters for kids, or as inserts inside containers that lack drainage holes. They can also be used to create a mini-worm compost system by drilling holes in the sides and bottom of the pot, or as a bug hotel by filling it with straw, leaf litter, and twigs to provide crevices for insects to nest in. Additionally, these containers can be cut into crayon-shaped strips and used as plant labels, or decorated and used as bookmarks. Before reusing plastic plant containers, it is important to disinfect them to prevent the spread of fungal and other diseases.
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What You'll Learn
Use as a bird feeder
Plastic plant containers with one flat side can be reused as bird feeders. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make one:
Cleaning and Sanitation:
First, it is important to clean and sanitize the plastic plant container before reusing it as a bird feeder. Start by removing any loose dirt or soil from the container. Then, wash the container thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Finally, sanitize the container by soaking it in a diluted bleach solution. A common ratio for the bleach solution is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Leave the container in the solution for about 10 minutes, and then rinse it with fresh water.
Creating the Feeding Holes:
Once the container is clean and dry, you can start creating the feeding holes. Decide where you want the feeding area to be located on the container. Using a sharp tool, such as a box cutter, knife, or scissors, carefully cut out a hole in the desired location. This hole should be large enough for birds to access the food but not so large that the birdseed spills out easily.
If you want to create a perch for the birds, you can insert a wooden stick or pencil through two holes directly across from each other near the bottom of the container. The birds will sit on the stick while eating from the feeder. You can also add a lid or cap with a small hole in it to protect the birdseed from the elements.
Hanging the Feeder:
To hang your bird feeder, cut a long piece of string or wire and thread it through the container. You can attach the string to a handle or loop created with duct tape. Make sure the string is securely tied and knotted so that it can bear the weight of the feeder and the birds.
Adding Birdseed and Decorations:
Fill the bottom of the container with birdseed, such as black oil sunflower seeds, which are popular among birds. You can also involve children in this project by letting them decorate the bird feeder with non-toxic paint before filling it with birdseed.
Finally, hang your feeder near a window, on a tree branch, or from an outdoor hook, and enjoy observing the birds that visit your new bird feeder! Remember to regularly refill the birdseed, as the local birds may come to depend on this food source.
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Create a bug hotel
Plastic plant containers can be reused to create a bug hotel. This is a fun project that can help teach children about different types of insects and their importance in our ecosystem. Bug hotels provide shelter and food for insects and encourage biodiversity in your garden.
Choose a Container
Select a container that is sturdy and can withstand wind and rain. Plastic plant containers with one flat side can be ideal for this purpose. Make sure the container is clean and dry before use.
Prepare the Materials
Gather materials to fill your bug hotel, such as twigs, sticks, bamboo canes, pine cones, rocks, pebbles, moss, leaves, bark, straw, and hollow stems of hogweed. You can also use cardboard, leaf litter, broken bricks, tiles, and toilet roll tubes. These materials will create nooks and crannies for bugs to hide and shelter.
Create Compartments
Cut the bottom few inches off your plastic plant containers to create "cups" that will serve as compartments for your bug hotel. You can cut holes in the sides of the cups for ventilation and to provide additional entry points for the bugs.
Assemble the Hotel
Stand your container upright and start poking in the sticks and twigs, varying the sizes to create hiding places for different insects. Fill in any gaps with smaller materials like pebbles, moss, or pine needles until the container is tightly packed.
Prepare for Hanging (Optional)
If you want to hang your bug hotel, punch two holes about an inch apart in each cup. Thread twine through the holes and tie a knot at the top.
Finalize and Place Your Bug Hotel
Once your container is full, you can place it on its side in a quiet corner of your garden. Place it somewhere flat, in moderate shade, and near plants, shrubs, or trees so insects can easily access it. You can also decorate the outside of your bug hotel, but avoid using harmful paints or chemicals.
After a few days, you may start seeing bugs moving into your hotel! Remember to check on your bug hotel periodically, but avoid disturbing it too much. The longer you leave it alone, the more bugs will be attracted to it.
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Make a mini-worm compost system
Vermicomposting, or worm composting, is a great way to rapidly convert your food waste into high-quality compost soil and fertilizing liquid. It is a self-contained, inexpensive, and nearly odourless process. Here is a step-by-step guide to making a mini-worm compost system using plastic plant containers with one flat side:
Firstly, you will need two plastic plant containers with one flat side each and a lid for the top container. The containers should be durable, heavy-duty, and made of non-transparent plastic. One container should be slightly larger than the other so that one can fit inside the other. The larger container will act as a catch basin and does not need a lid. The smaller container with the lid will be the worm's home.
Drill ventilation holes in the smaller container to allow air circulation and prevent the bin from getting too hot or stagnant. Use a drill with a 1/4-inch or smaller bit to make holes every 2-3 inches, about 2 inches from the top and on all four sides. You can also drill a few holes in the bottom of the smaller container, but this is optional. Make sure to shake out any plastic shavings from drilling.
Place dry bedding material, such as shredded newspaper, cardboard, coco coir, dry leaves, grass clippings, or straw, into the bottom of the smaller container. Add your worms and some food scraps, such as vegetable and fruit scraps, tea bags without staples, and coffee grounds. Do not include animal by-products, such as meat, bones, dairy, or fat. Cover the food scraps with a layer of moist paper and dirt to prevent fruit flies.
Place the smaller container inside the larger one. The larger container will catch any moisture created as a byproduct of the composting process, also known as "worm tea." This liquid can be scooped out and used to fertilize your plants.
Every few weeks, feed the worms on only one side of the bin. This will cause the worms to migrate to that side. Once they have mostly moved over, you can harvest the compost from the other side. Use a trowel to scoop out the compost, being careful to return any worms to the bin.
Repeat the process by adding fresh bedding and food to the bin and continuing to compost. Enjoy your rich, homemade compost!
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Use as a scoop or funnel
Plastic plant containers can be used as scoops to fill pots with soil, compost, or potting mix. The thin, rigid edges of these containers make them ideal for scooping. You can also use the lid of the container as a scoop for smaller quantities of soil or compost.
If you cut off the base of your plastic plant container at a diagonal angle, you can turn it into a handy scoop for your garden. Removing the lid will transform it into a multi-purpose funnel, which is especially useful for craft projects or home maintenance tasks.
You can also use plastic plant containers as watering cans for your garden. Simply cut off the top, including the top part of the handle, and the container will become a rudimentary watering can. This is perfect for watering a container garden or your houseplants.
The next time you need to fill or transfer liquids, remember that plastic plant containers with lids can be used as funnels. Keep the screw top of the container to help with pouring. This is a great way to be prepared for any unexpected funnel needs, especially if you don't have a traditional funnel on hand.
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Disinfect and reuse for plants
Plastic plant containers with one flat side can be reused for a variety of purposes, including as plant pots, but also for other creative projects.
If you are reusing plastic plant containers for plants, it is important to disinfect them to prevent the spread of fungal and other diseases. This can be done by scrubbing out any old soil and washing the container with dish soap and warm water. Rinse the pot well and soak it in a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) for 10 minutes. You can also use household disinfectants like surface wipes, cleaners, and sprays (e.g. Lysol, Pin-Sol, Clorox wipes, Microban, etc.) or a natural solution of soap and water, followed by a spray of hydrogen peroxide. Bleach is the best option for complete disinfection, but it is important to be cautious of the high concentration and inhalation risks.
After disinfecting, rinse the pot and it is ready for reuse. You can also use the containers for other purposes, such as a bird feeder, a seed-starting project for kids, or a funnel for craft projects.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ways to reuse plastic plant containers for gardening:
- Use them as inserts inside containers that lack drainage holes.
- Create a mini-worm compost system by drilling holes in the sides and bottom of the pot, then sink the container in the garden, and fill it with kitchen scraps and yard debris.
- Use them as plant labels by cutting the containers into crayon-shaped strips.
- Use them as a scoop for soil, dirt, compost, or mulch.
Here are some ways to reuse plastic plant containers for non-gardening purposes:
- Cut out a flat, smooth section of the container and decorate it to create a bookmark.
- Use them as a funnel for home maintenance tasks, recipes, or craft projects.
- Cut or drill holes into the container, add a hook, and hang it up as a bird feeder.
- Use them as storage containers for items such as ribbons.
To clean plastic plant containers before reusing them, scrub out any old soil, wash the container with dish soap and rinse it well. You can then soak it in a mixture of bleach and water for disinfection. Alternatively, you can wipe the container with rubbing alcohol.
Reusing plastic plant containers can help reduce waste and decrease the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills. Plastic can take 450 years or more to degrade in a landfill, so finding new uses for plastic items is an environmentally friendly practice.
