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| Tomato seedlings |
Where would I be without Elmlea pots??
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| Leeks |
On average we probably use about one pot of Elmlea a week, and I save the pots because they are really good as plant-pots. I need a lot of small pots at this time of year, and it would cost me a fortune to buy as many as I need. Actually the Elmlea pots are better than most purpose-made plant pots, because they are taller and slimmer. They are ideal for things that like being planted deeply, such as tomatoes and leeks.
Of course I always make a hole on the bottom of each pot for drainage purposes, but this is easily done because the pots are quite flimsy.
I reckon that an Elmlea pot lasts at least two years, usually three, but they do eventually go brittle and start to crack. Oh, and by the way, just in case you were wondering what it is, Elmlea is a cream-substitute. We use the low-fat version. It is very good for making "cream" sauces, and for Gratin Dauphinois.
They're ideal to use as plant pots.
ReplyDeleteI use recycled pots too, but they are carry out containers. They however seem to last forever. Mine are short and wide though. And rectangular. They hold small quantities of my soil blocks. Or I use them for sowing onions which don't need the depth of soil.
ReplyDeleteI'm always glad to see some recycling in action. Commercial creme caramel pots are useful (sold in x4 packs) as small flowerpots and if you peel off the 'release' tab on the base you get a ready made drainage hole. Brown mushroom trays are also useful as small, deep seed trays. Both last several seasons and then, cleaned out, go into the plastics recycling bin.
ReplyDeleteThose pots are a great size - I often save my paper coffee cups & use them when I pot up the tomatoes. They have the perfect combination of size, (taller) height & (narrow) width which gives them a great start but still allows me to really pack them in under the lights. Of course, they are only good for one use, but they otherwise would have been in the garbage to begin with so that doesn't make me feel that bad.
ReplyDeleteI have moved my leek seedlings into individual pots two days ago and i was wondering if it was too early. But i now see your leeks got also an individual pot so i hope i did right..i grow leeks for the first time in my life :-)
ReplyDeleteWe cut up large yoghurt pots to make labels but some are also used to store home made soup in the freezer. It would be a shame not to recycle them.
ReplyDeleteThey seems better than my simple plastic glasses...
ReplyDeleteI use creme fraiche pots in the same way. Incidentally, I cut up a pot lengthways into strips to make name tags for seeds, works well and can be re-used by wiping my thumb.
ReplyDeleteI use creme fraiche pots in the same way. Incidentally, I cut up a pot lengthways into strips to make name tags for seeds, works well and can be re-used by wiping my thumb.
ReplyDeleteSolo cups, a disposable drink cup, is commonly used here. I use the 16 ounce size and cut slits in the bottom with a razor knife for drainage and an air gap. If you are careful, they last two seasons. They are better than the typical 4 inch nursery pot because they are taller like your Elmlea pots.
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