COLUMNISTs: KATRINA & CLAYTON
One of the simplest and most versatile ways to recycle items for planting is by using repurposed containers. From old buckets and crates, to tin cans and plastic bottles, there are a wealth of options waiting to be transformed into unique planters.
By doing this, you are reducing the need for new pots and containers, minimising waste and therefore saving resources. It also allows you to offer new life to items that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Get creative with your choice of containers. Drill holes in the bottom of cans and bottles to ensure proper drainage for your plants. Use paint or decoupage techniques to decorate containers and add a personalised touch to your garden.
By repurposing containers for planting, you can create a diverse and eclectic garden filled with character and charm. From whimsical herb gardens in teacups to vibrant flower displays in old tires, the possibilities are endless. We have some old crocs shoes in ours, they are always a great talking point and perfect for anyone wishing to add something different to a garden!
Vertical gardening is an excellent way to maximise space and add greenery to small or urban environments. By repurposing materials, you can create vertical gardens that are both functional and decorative as well as reducing waste. Such gardens allow you to grow plants upwards, utilising vertical space and as a result turning your wall, fence, or balcony into a green oasis.
Turn old wooden pallets into vertical planters by attaching pots or planting pockets to the slats. Repurpose gutters as shallow planters mounted on a wall or fence, they are ideal for growing herbs or small vegetables. Herbs also grow well in old shoe organisers with pockets, perfect for a balcony or patio.
Vertical gardens made from recycled materials not only provide visual interest but also offer practical benefits such as improved air quality, insulation, and noise reduction. They allow you to grow a variety of plants in limited space while adding a touch of greenery to urban environments.
We use milk cartons, attaching them to the fence using a curtain pole. Drainage holes are added and we grow herbs, strawberries, and salads leaves including pak choi and radishes.
Toilet roll inserts are household items that can be repurposed for seed starting. These biodegradable containers provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastic seed trays and can be planted directly into the soil once seedlings are ready for transplanting.
Cut small slits into the bottom sections of toilet roll inserts and fold them over to create small pots. Fill each roll container with potting soil and plant seeds according to package instructions. Place your new pots on a tray, position in a sunny location, and keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge.
Once seedlings have grown strong enough, simply plant the entire container directly into the soil, where it will biodegrade over time, enriching the soil and reducing waste.
So, before you buy new containers, have a good look around the house – you will be surprised what you come up with, once you start looking!
Katrina and Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire and share their daily life in the garden on Instagram. They practice permaculture principles in the garden, reducing and repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed the 'Grow and Learn' course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society last year. This year he started the Level 2 'Nurture' course. Clayton is 16, autistic, non-verbal, and has been home-educated for the last 5 years.
Katrina and Clayton featured on BBC 'Beechgrove' (Ep23 2022, and Ep17 2023), and are authors of the children’s series 'Clayton's Gardening Adventures: Stories of Autism and Gardening' available on Amazon.
You can keep up with Katrina and Clayton on Instagram, Facebook, and on their website.