Best way to obtain large, sturdy, cheap pots

[z_willus_d]

Hello,

I have an order of 15 or so blueberry plants coming in the mail, and I would also like to start an asparagus farm. I'm going to need a large number of 20"+ size pots. I can tolerate the black plastic kind, as long as they are sturdy. I'm looking for tips on the best place/way to obtain the pots. I can always purchase them at a large box store, but I'd be paying close to $20+ for each, which seems high given I need around 30. I'm hoping to get that number down closer to $5 a pot. I'm open to alternative options, so long as they are semi permanent solutions, i.e. not going to require I re-pot and start over in a couple years. I'm planning these plants to be our blueberry and asparagus supply for the indefinite future (that's a vague phrase isn't it). I want them in pots so I can move them around as I determine the "final" reality of the landscape of my newly purchased home.

Thanks in advance for the advice and tips.
-naysen

[kath]

We have nursery/garden centers around here that have huge recyling bins in the parking lot to encourage folks to recycle and they often have pots from trees, etc. that are sturdy and huge...for free. I've seen 20" pots in colors for ~ $14 in one of the stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, Ollie's, Big Lots would be the possibilities), but can't remember which one.

[kurt]

I buy mine at Home Harvest,they have a large variety in plastics,grow bags etc.Prices are decent.

[kurt]

I bought the rigid type.they have a cheaper thats targeted for big box one time type use.The rigids I bought are into 10 years now and not cracking or splitting.

[Granite26]

I buy 55 gal barrels here for about $12. Many are from the soda industry. Most commonly used to make rain barrels. Cut in half these might work.

[z_willus_d]

Kurt, thanks for sharing. I checked and the 20-gal pots are $13.50 a pop. Add $110- for shipping, and I need to bone up $500+ for 30 pots. I can't afford that. I'll keep searching for cheaper options.

--naysen

[z_willus_d]

Thanks Kath. I've heard that suggestion before, but the few times I've sought out the nursery dumpsters, it didn't pan out. I'm in a neighborhood where I'm constantly seeing landscape work in progress. The other evening I noticed around 10 recently emptied large nursery pots. I thought about asking on them, but thought better of it. I didn't want to seem like the neighborhood beggar. Yes, my pride is getting the better of my blueberries.

-naysen

[kath]

Originally Posted by z_willus_d

The other evening I noticed around 10 recently emptied large nursery pots. I thought about asking on them, but thought better of it. I didn't want to seem like the neighborhood beggar. Yes, my pride is getting the better of my blueberries.

-naysen

You need to get over that!Our neighbors have seen us pick so much stuff out of the garbage at the end of our lane, refurbish and reuse it, that they often ask if we want what they're going to throw out before they bother to haul it to the bottom of the hill for garbage pickup!

[ExpendableZero]

We have this place in Alabama. They sell plastic nursery pots in bundles. The price for 15 gallon pots came out to about $2.50 each. I've only heard about it from a neighbor. I haven't been there since it says they don't deal with the public.

http://www.cassco.cc/

Maybe you have something similar nearby?

[DogsandDirt]

I saw therse large blue 20 gallon tubs at Lowe's. Here they sell for $8.43. I have no idea how they would weather. Maybe also consider the tough totes that are used for Earthtainers if they don't have to be round?

051596080167xl[1].jpg

[Zana]

Originally Posted by DogsandDirt

I saw therse large blue 20 gallon tubs at Lowe's. Here they sell for $8.43. I have no idea how they would weather. Maybe also consider the tough totes that are used for Earthtainers if they don't have to be round?

Attachment 22666

If they're anything like the ones I picked up from a local Hardware store here for about $7 each, they should do okay. As I mentioned before, mine have lasted about 6 years so far and appear to be doing fine this winter.

That's a good price for 20 gallon containers....I'd grab it if I were you.

Zana

[kath]

Originally Posted by DogsandDirt

I saw therse large blue 20 gallon tubs at Lowe's. Here they sell for $8.43. I have no idea how they would weather. Maybe also consider the tough totes that are used for Earthtainers if they don't have to be round?

Attachment 22666

They had the same tubs at Walmart on Saturday for $3! Don't know if they're on clearance but there wasn't a sign to that effect. Not sure about colors, but I remember one was a rusty color- a bit deeper than terra cotta.

[z_willus_d]

Granite-

Where do you buy the barrels. What class of distributor/store should I be searching out? I could probably swing $6- a pot, especially if there were no shipping associated with the purchase.

Thanks,
Naysen

[Zana]

Check wherever there are new landscaping jobs going in....especially in commercial or condo complexes. If they're planting trees and larger shrubs, you 'll be able to find 20 to 30" rigid pots without any problem at all. And most of the time they toss them - possibly put them in recycle bins, but if they're tossing them they're going to have to pay a disposal fee at the dump. So are usually more the amenable to the idea of donating the empty pots.

I'm in a complex that is about 18 months old. When they finally put in the landscaping this past summer I was able to score all the pots I wanted. They're the heavy rigid types.

I also retrofitted some of those large buckets with rope handles that they sell at ToyRUs for about $7 to $15 a piece. They're more like about 30" across and almost the same deep. I drilled drainage holes in them. I managed to pick up 10 for $7 a piece from a local hardware store. Beats the heck out of the cost of buying proper pots from a commercial supplier for the same size. Those 10 pots have been outside - in the sun and snow for 6 years so far and are still as good as new.

The other option I've used are paint buckets - new ones sold for $5 a piece at Home Depot or similar, usually white, 5 gallon in size. Leaving the handle on makes it easy to move them about when filled with soil mix before the plants get too big....or after the season is over. I drill holes in them about 2 inches up from the bottom around the perimeter. Some of my piant bucket planters are 5 to 10 years old....some have been outside for most of that time, some I have brought inside stacking over the winter.

Hope that helps.

Zana

[walkinggin]

Another place to try would be Greenhouse Megastore. They have plastic pots at good prices and also large sized fabric pots rated for 3-4 or 4-5 years of use. I know you said that you don't plan to repot in which case I think you will need to be especially careful about the substrate you, use that it doesn't break down too quickly. Perhaps research al's gritty mix.

ginny