reusable shopping bags as a grow bag?
 

Anyone tried using the reusable shopping bags to grow plants in yet. Seems like they would work well and pretty cheap at 0.50 to 1.00 a piece.

If you buy in bulk heard the price can be as low as 0.25 each.

The Sun leaves Grow bags I can get 5 gal ones for about 0.53 with shipping cost included.

Anyways wondering if anyone here has tried it yet.

Here is a link to a non profit group that uses them in their growing projects.

[url]http://www.globalbuckets.org/p/grow-bags.html[/url]

Some of those reusable bags have lead in them. They've been in the news for the past few months. You just need to be careful which reusable bags you buy.

Ahh Guess its good I ordered a 50 pk of the sun leaves plastic grow bags already. I was planning to test out the reusable shopping bags but I guess I will have to wait and see what the grocery stores do.

Do the sunleaves plastic grow bags breathe like fabric pots/bags?

[QUOTE=Chucker;199476]Do the sunleaves plastic grow bags breathe like fabric pots/bags?[/QUOTE]

No they have holes for drainage but they do not breathe

Here is a report from the Center for Consumer Freedom giving the lead and cadmium content of various reusable bags (pdf format): [URL="http://www.consumerfreedom.com/downloads/ccf_bag_report.pdf"]http://www.consumerfreedom.com/downloads/ccf_bag_report.pdf[/URL]

I was going to use some Ikea bags next year so good to know they are low in lead. Another good idea, if you have any leftover landscaping fabric you can sew or staple it into a pot shape for an even cheaper (ie free) grow bag.

I did read in Jerry Baker's book that you could plant in paper grocery bag and while plant is still small the bag can be folded shut to protect it from a cold spell.

Plant the paper grocery bag into ground in the tomato hole.

Some of those reusable grocery bags are also made out of a [B]cloth like paper[/B] (which tear rather easily) and I'm sure they wouldn't last a whole season. Also I wouldn't count on the fabric ones to last a full season either as I doubt they have [B]UV blockers[/B] and the [B][COLOR=red]Sun[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR=red][B]can be a[/B][/COLOR] [B][COLOR=red]harsh mistress[/COLOR][/B]. But who knows--I could be wrong as I'm just making a semi-educated guess. :dizzy:

Has anyone tried bags like[URL="http://www.texashydroponics.com/shop/product.php?productid=1000&cat=101&page=1"] these[/URL] before?

They seem pretty inexpensive, but I've never tried them. I am thinking of getting some to try dwarfs in.

I was thinking that since they were for indoor use, they might not hold up well to outside weather... but then again, they are meant to be filled with water, so how bad could they be?

Wow, those are cheap!! Nice find! And close by too!

[QUOTE=BlackestKrim;199762]Has anyone tried bags like[URL="http://www.texashydroponics.com/shop/product.php?productid=1000&cat=101&page=1"] these[/URL] before?

They seem pretty inexpensive, but I've never tried them. I am thinking of getting some to try dwarfs in.

I was thinking that since they were for indoor use, they might not hold up well to outside weather... but then again, they are meant to be filled with water, so how bad could they be?[/QUOTE]

I ordered the Sunleaves ones they are 0.02 cheaper but the reason I ordered them is the inside is black but the outside is white, so its supposted to keep the roots from getting as hot from the sun. Other than that same thing I will be using this year.

Those are cheaper in lower quantities though I guess.

White (or black) poly 5 gal. grow bags are available in 10 packs for $3.80
[URL="http://chem-gro.com/cart/product_info.php?products_id=768"]Hydro-Gardens[/URL]
They also sell 5 gal grow bags with enough coco coir to fill them for under $3 each, but are out of them until May...must be waiting for the ship to come in from Sri Lanka.

[QUOTE=RinTinTin;199833]White (or black) poly 5 gal. grow bags are available in 10 packs for $3.80
[URL="http://chem-gro.com/cart/product_info.php?products_id=768"]Hydro-Gardens[/URL]
They also sell 5 gal grow bags with enough coco coir to fill them for under $3 each, but are out of them until May...must be waiting for the ship to come in from Sri Lanka.[/QUOTE]

That is about the same as I paid depending on shipping cost. The link you gave says they charge the actual shipping cost and can not tell you the price in till the item is weighed. So with shipping the price per unit goes up.

My cost per bag ended up being 0.53 (including shipping) theirs is 0.38 (plus shipping) so without knowing the shipping rate its hard to compare the prices.

[quote=BlackestKrim;199762]Has anyone tried bags like[URL="http://www.texashydroponics.com/shop/product.php?productid=1000&cat=101&page=1"] these[/URL] before?

They seem pretty inexpensive, but I've never tried them. I am thinking of getting some to try dwarfs in.

I was thinking that since they were for indoor use, they might not hold up well to outside weather... but then again, they are meant to be filled with water, so how bad could they be?[/quote]

I was just at that store for pearlite and took a look at the grow bags. They are just black plastic bags, not a breathable fiber or anything. I think I'd go with another site for grow bags.

Did get some 5gal plastic pots and spray painted the outside white.

What are you guys using to support the tomatoes in these plastic grow bags?

I was thinking of buying 10gal [for single tomatoes] and 25gal [for two tomatoes] - in bulk.

I would imagine that cages inserted into the mix wouldn't work too well :no:.

I just noticed that the wholesale company I Christmas shop from has bags for ten cents: [URL]http://www.dpciwholesale.com/Reusable-Shopping-Bag.html#product_tabs1[/URL]

I read the link about lead. There are two green ones like the Barnes and Noble bag. One tested 298 ppm and the other 235 ppm.

I was reading about lead here:
[URL]http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/soils/lead-in-home-garden/[/URL]

[I]In general, plants do not absorb or accumulate lead. However, in soils testing high in lead, it is possible for some lead to be taken up. Studies have shown that lead does not readily accumulate in the fruiting parts of vegetable and fruit crops (e.g., corn, beans, squash, tomatoes, strawberries, apples). Higher concentrations are more likely to be found in leafy vegetables (e.g., lettuce) and on the surface of root crops (e.g., carrots). [/I]
[I]Since plants do not take up large quantities of soil lead, the lead levels in soil considered safe for plants will be much higher than soil lead levels where eating of soil is a concern (pica). Generally, it has been considered safe to use garden produce grown in soils with total lead levels less than 300 ppm. The risk of lead poisoning through the food chain increases as the soil lead level rises above this concentration. Even at soil levels above 300 ppm, most of the risk is from lead contaminated soil or dust deposits on the plants rather than from uptake of lead by the plant.[/I]

The bag dimensions are 12" x 8" x 13" which is 1,248 cubic inches....5.4 Gallons.

5-gallon air pots are about $3 each on Amazon. Getting the equivalent of one for ten cents looks like a really good deal.


By the way, DPCI has a $100 minimum order, but they sell a lot of other stuff.

Great site! $7 stun gun and $2 pepper spray make great stocking stuffers. I've been meaning to get some. :lol:

[QUOTE=Cole_Robbie;517581]I just noticed that the wholesale company I Christmas shop from has bags for ten cents: [URL]http://www.dpciwholesale.com/Reusable-Shopping-Bag.html#product_tabs1[/URL]

5-gallon air pots are about $3 each on Amazon. Getting the equivalent of one for ten cents looks like a really good deal.
[/QUOTE]

I clicked on Throwing Knives and then Lawnmower Parts. There's something for everyone.

I've ordered a lot of tools from them. For some things, quality can be hit or miss. Most of it is still a really good deal, and an indication of how much places like Lowe's gouge on small tool prices. The impact socket sets that DPCI sells are the same that lowe's sells for 3x the price, 5-10x if you're buying an individual socket.

The $5 car air compressor looks like a good cheap gift, too.

I paid 89 cent ffor Fred Meyers bags which are almost 7 gallon .
They are pretty strong, made of some kind of nylon fabric which is breathable.

It is 14"W x 8"D x 17"H

Speaking of the new reusable shopping bags Austin in its stupidity banned the plastic bags and it has backfired.
My dislike for them is people let them blow all over the place in some areas.

Here is what has happened in Austin if you care to read.

[url]https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwinkcad987JAhVmtoMKHcgrD9EQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnsnews.com%2Fnews%2Farticle%2Femily-richards%2Faustins-plastic-bag-ban-worse-environment-bags-it-outlaws&usg=AFQjCNFOEqh9hggTL73t8a8KP5Y6VVWs_g[/url]

On the site cole robbie linked to, they also have shopping cart bags which are much bigger.

I have a lot of reusable bags, may use them to plant in since I always forget to take them to the store with me!

What is the shipping/handling costs like, cole?

Do they offer re usable bags at reasonable cost ? FM's smaller bags ( !4 gallon in volume) cost 49 cents.

Here in WA state most stores give 3 options :
--- bring your own reusable bags. Quite a few shoppers (environmentalists) do. Stores save a lot of money when people do this. That is why they sell them so cheap.
--- Get your stuff packed in single use plastic bags: Trader Joes does NOT have it.
--- Get your stuff packed in paper bags .

Back to subject:
I have been using these bags for a couple of year. They are very practical. At the end of season empty and fold them, ... easy. They also work just like the so-called "Smart Bags", which is nothing more than breathing. Roots seem to like more oxygen.

Gadeneer

[QUOTE=Gardeneer;517729]Do they offer re usable bags at reasonable cost ? FM's smaller bags ( !4 gallon in volume) cost 49 cents.

Here in WA state most stores give 3 options :
--- bring your own reusable bags. Quite a few shoppers (environmentalists) do. Stores save a lot of money when people do this. That is why they sell them so cheap.
--- Get your stuff packed in single use plastic bags: Trader Joes does NOT have it.
--- Get your stuff packed in paper bags .

Back to subject:
I have been using these bags for a couple of year. They are very practical. At the end of season empty and fold them, ... easy. They also work just like the so-called "Smart Bags", which is nothing more than breathing. Roots seem to like more oxygen.

Gadeneer[/QUOTE]

In Austin they offer paper bags thicker plastic bags and buy a reusable bag.

In the article it said people just went up the road to another town a mile or two away to shop.
This caused some stores to lose 60 to 70 thousand a week in sales.

Were I live they offer cheap reusable bags and more expensive reusable bags.
We dont have a plastic bag ban.

Like imp I have a house full of them but forget to use them.
Some look like they would make good containers.
One I used as a big purse to carry on the plane. :lol:

Worth

[QUOTE=imp;517728]What is the shipping/handling costs like, cole?[/QUOTE]

They are fair and reasonable. I think they charge the actual shipping cost, with no added fees. They are fast, too. Orders ship quickly.

I found a pair of pliers on there that are $28 on Amazon; I'm paying $9 to buy several pairs as Christmas gifts.

They also have one-gallon stainless steel buckets for $2. I am eyeing those as containers in which to sell microdwarfs. I could probably get $10 out of a nice microdwarf in a shiny metal bucket.

As for using shopping bags as grow bags, I used several this past summer from Aldi for growing fingerling potatoes. They worked great!

At the end of the season, I emptied them, and ran through a brief wash cycle and they are as good as new ready for next year. $1.99 at Aldi. They come with a removeable plastic bottom layer which fits inside, and helps retain a bit of watering moisture without restricting drainage or air flow to roots. They are beige in color so won't absorb too much solar heat, and almost no logo dyes to worry about. They are at least 7-gal. in size.

Also used the 15 gal. brown root pouches from Greenhouse Megastore, which worked equally as well. Aldi's were cheaper and readily available.

I planted some herbs in cloth grocery bags, but they didnt hold up well at all. I may try the poly bags next, I have some big rectangle ones from somewhere. Basically a tarp bag. Anyone tried those?

Anybody use burlap?

I think it's going to be hilarious to see market customers walking around with a shopping bag with a tumbling vine tomato plant coming out of it.

I should make a sign that says SERVICE TOMATO - DO NOT PET, slap it on the side of a bag with a plant in it, and then go carry it around Wal-Mart. It will be my service plant. It will prevent anxiety...by making me laugh a lot.