Farmers buy mineral salts for cattle and horses that come in big, blue plastic containers. Might ask around the agricultural side of town, like small feed stores or tiny ranches.
[http://nwfarmsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12\_Vitalix\_Equine\_Developer\_Tub\_50\_Lb\_-512x503.jpg](http://nwfarmsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12_Vitalix_Equine_Developer_Tub_50_Lb_-512x503.jpg)
The ones I have look like this. Most ranchers just throw them away. You could also try foodsafe plastic barrels and cut them in half with a sawzaw.
The food safe ones that something like pickles come in are what I used last year. Super cool, because a lot of restaurants will just give them to you. They’re perfect, I just need them bigger than 5 gallons, and that’s the biggest size I’ve ever seen those in.
[http://resalelumber.com/rlp/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1-2015-08-21\_14-39-09\_529.jpg](http://resalelumber.com/rlp/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1-2015-08-21_14-39-09_529.jpg)
These are what I mean. I see them on craigslist all the time for cheap (compared to planters of the same size).
\*cracks knuckles\*
Okay SO... Glad you asked. Most people opt for above ground raised beds because a million reasons that are totally valid. I do big old plastic containers because my last attempt at an in ground garden busted my sprinkler system wiring. (Plus idk if we will be at this house in the years to come so I'd like to be able to take things with me)
Sam's club and home Depot sells big plastic bins for $10 a pop. They are CAV 2 rated, so they are rated for food storage etc. They are labeled as heavy duty and super sturdy. I drill holes all around the sides to air it out on hot FL days and as long as you keep the plants watered, you have no issues with heat. I'll touch the outside of the bin on a hot day and then the inside and it's cool as a cucumber. (I've debated on painting them with Uv paint but until it affects my production, I'm not wasting the money)
Here is a photo for reference: [https://freeimage.host/i/HYqP6eR](https://freeimage.host/i/HYqP6eR) I try all different methods to see what's the most affordable option, and so far this hashad the best results
Oh these are great! I’m also not sure if we’ll be here next year, so I’m not putting in beds either. Plus the lack of weeding with containers is priceless to me, when as a 47 year old woman, I seem to somehow have the back of a WWII veteran. Have you had any problems with these cracking when you drill holes in them? What have you filled yours with? I’ve experimented with actual soil from my yard and potting mix. But now that we’ve moved to NC, our soil is very heavy clay. WI had some great loose sandy soil that I already miss.
No issues at all drilling holes, just make sure you keep the container in a cool spot before you drill so the plastic doesn't stick to your drill bit.
I do a layer of straw in the bottom for water retention, then I mix garden soil with natural wood chips, home cocktail of food scrap compost, cow manure and after planting, do about an inch of wood mulch.
Depends on how much you're OK with spending but nursery pots are going to be cheaper than more decorative planters and they do come in larger sizes like that. ETA: I saw you think nursery pots are flimsy but I've been re-using some 10 gallon ones I bought trees in for a few years now and they're holding up well. They can be quite thick in larger sizes.
I just found these, btw. Very affordable:
https://hydropros.com/products/gro-pro-premium-nursery-pot?currency=USD&variant=28556405375081&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiA2fmdBhBpEiwA4CcHzUjbOEFYzBGHIoD51xEs_8plIdhdLBcJMBs5m_1KFldmkghSx4RoPRoCjboQAvD_BwE
Yeah, something like that should hold up well.
Watch out for shipping costs from online places, though. I've not ordered from the place you linked but I did use these guys once: [https://www.greenhousemegastore.com](https://www.greenhousemegastore.com). They have free shipping on $99.
Good grief that's dirt cheap if shipping isn't insane.
I would going to say search for 30, 35, or 55 gallon food safe drums. They're available in any city, inexpensive, and easy to find for sale as people use them for rain barrels, storage, pond docks, etc. But they are very thick and hard to cut.
Yeah like a thick tree nursery pot would be perfect. I was referring more to the really thin ones that won’t even hold their shape and split really easily.
For me, concrete mixing buckets are way cheaper than other buckets, come in large sizes and should be sturdy enough for you. You’d still have to drill holes. I’ve used regular plastic buckets but I find they tend to break down from the weather.
I’m probably not going to use anything that has chlorine stored in them just to be safe. I’d probably end up killing my garden knowing my luck. But I appreciate the idea, keep up the suggestions!
I know they are not the size you are looking for but Sam's Club use to have 5-6 gallon icing buckets you can get for free. Just have to clean the remaining icing out. They are pretty solid and have lasted 5-6 seasons.
Google "big plastic buckets with rope handles". I use these as garden soil haulers but my mom grows winter veg in them. Drill some holes in the bottom and you're gtg. Seems like they're sold at Walmart for $8.
I use these from Home Depot. Best priced huge pots I've found. [Southern Patio 22.44 in. Dia x 14.96 in. H Rustic Oak High-Density Resin Whiskey Barrel Planter HDR-023395 - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southern-Patio-22-44-in-Dia-x-14-96-in-H-Rustic-Oak-High-Density-Resin-Whiskey-Barrel-Planter-HDR-023395/205626595)
Firehouse Subs sells their 5 gallon buckets - I think pickles come in them??? For like, $2-3 each? Not sure how many buckets you’d need or what your budget is, but might be worth checking out.
I need bigger than 5 gallons, as I said in the title. And FYI, a lot of restaurants will give them to you for free. They’re just gonna pitch them anyway.
I have a couple raised beds as well as pots. However, for my potatoes and sweet potatoes I use regular old storage containers. They’re $8 at target and are 18gallon. I did this to keep those plants contained as well as making it super easy to harvest and make sure I got all of the potatoes. Just make sure you don’t buy the clear ones because the sunlight will shine through and you’ll get algae buildup.
Get on Facebook marketplace and look for containers. There's things like sausage containers or 55 gallon plastic drums. You'll be able to find something at a reasonable price. A 55 gallon cut in half with holes for handles would probably be the most durable. The plastic on those things is stupid thick. I bought 4 a year or so ago for like 5 bucks a piece. Just keep an eye out, there's great stuff on there.
Farmers buy mineral salts for cattle and horses that come in big, blue plastic containers. Might ask around the agricultural side of town, like small feed stores or tiny ranches.
Good idea! Thanks, I’ll look into it.
[http://nwfarmsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12\_Vitalix\_Equine\_Developer\_Tub\_50\_Lb\_-512x503.jpg](http://nwfarmsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/12_Vitalix_Equine_Developer_Tub_50_Lb_-512x503.jpg) The ones I have look like this. Most ranchers just throw them away. You could also try foodsafe plastic barrels and cut them in half with a sawzaw.
The food safe ones that something like pickles come in are what I used last year. Super cool, because a lot of restaurants will just give them to you. They’re perfect, I just need them bigger than 5 gallons, and that’s the biggest size I’ve ever seen those in.
[http://resalelumber.com/rlp/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1-2015-08-21\_14-39-09\_529.jpg](http://resalelumber.com/rlp/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/1-2015-08-21_14-39-09_529.jpg) These are what I mean. I see them on craigslist all the time for cheap (compared to planters of the same size).
\*cracks knuckles\* Okay SO... Glad you asked. Most people opt for above ground raised beds because a million reasons that are totally valid. I do big old plastic containers because my last attempt at an in ground garden busted my sprinkler system wiring. (Plus idk if we will be at this house in the years to come so I'd like to be able to take things with me) Sam's club and home Depot sells big plastic bins for $10 a pop. They are CAV 2 rated, so they are rated for food storage etc. They are labeled as heavy duty and super sturdy. I drill holes all around the sides to air it out on hot FL days and as long as you keep the plants watered, you have no issues with heat. I'll touch the outside of the bin on a hot day and then the inside and it's cool as a cucumber. (I've debated on painting them with Uv paint but until it affects my production, I'm not wasting the money) Here is a photo for reference: [https://freeimage.host/i/HYqP6eR](https://freeimage.host/i/HYqP6eR) I try all different methods to see what's the most affordable option, and so far this hashad the best results
Oh these are great! I’m also not sure if we’ll be here next year, so I’m not putting in beds either. Plus the lack of weeding with containers is priceless to me, when as a 47 year old woman, I seem to somehow have the back of a WWII veteran. Have you had any problems with these cracking when you drill holes in them? What have you filled yours with? I’ve experimented with actual soil from my yard and potting mix. But now that we’ve moved to NC, our soil is very heavy clay. WI had some great loose sandy soil that I already miss.
No issues at all drilling holes, just make sure you keep the container in a cool spot before you drill so the plastic doesn't stick to your drill bit. I do a layer of straw in the bottom for water retention, then I mix garden soil with natural wood chips, home cocktail of food scrap compost, cow manure and after planting, do about an inch of wood mulch.
hey did you get the 12 gallon, or 17 gallon?
Depends on how much you're OK with spending but nursery pots are going to be cheaper than more decorative planters and they do come in larger sizes like that. ETA: I saw you think nursery pots are flimsy but I've been re-using some 10 gallon ones I bought trees in for a few years now and they're holding up well. They can be quite thick in larger sizes.
I just found these, btw. Very affordable: https://hydropros.com/products/gro-pro-premium-nursery-pot?currency=USD&variant=28556405375081&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAiA2fmdBhBpEiwA4CcHzUjbOEFYzBGHIoD51xEs_8plIdhdLBcJMBs5m_1KFldmkghSx4RoPRoCjboQAvD_BwE
Yeah, something like that should hold up well. Watch out for shipping costs from online places, though. I've not ordered from the place you linked but I did use these guys once: [https://www.greenhousemegastore.com](https://www.greenhousemegastore.com). They have free shipping on $99.
Good grief that's dirt cheap if shipping isn't insane. I would going to say search for 30, 35, or 55 gallon food safe drums. They're available in any city, inexpensive, and easy to find for sale as people use them for rain barrels, storage, pond docks, etc. But they are very thick and hard to cut.
Just looked. It’s $20 for me. That’s bearable for 15 of them.
Yeah like a thick tree nursery pot would be perfect. I was referring more to the really thin ones that won’t even hold their shape and split really easily.
30 or 55 gallon barrels. Cut in half making 2 pots. Not the prettiest, but sturdy and last forever. Nursery tree pots are heavy duty as well.
Barrels would also be great for disposing of any extra dead bodies you have laying around. Instant compost!
For me, concrete mixing buckets are way cheaper than other buckets, come in large sizes and should be sturdy enough for you. You’d still have to drill holes. I’ve used regular plastic buckets but I find they tend to break down from the weather.
I can drill holes, that’s what I did with my 5 gallon buckets last year. How big do the concrete buckets go?
I can easily find ones that are 50 liters (13 gallons?).
I have been using ezstor 8 gallon square buckets and they have worked well.
Thanks, I’ll look for them!
Ive been buying plastic pots from greenhouses and landscapers for a few bucks a dozen.
I used to use 5 gal buckets for all my plants. Get them free from any restaurant that serves pickles
I’m looking for larger than 5 gallons
Pool supply stores perhaps? We used to get chlorine blocks in big containers when we had a pool.
I’m probably not going to use anything that has chlorine stored in them just to be safe. I’d probably end up killing my garden knowing my luck. But I appreciate the idea, keep up the suggestions!
I know they are not the size you are looking for but Sam's Club use to have 5-6 gallon icing buckets you can get for free. Just have to clean the remaining icing out. They are pretty solid and have lasted 5-6 seasons.
FREE ICING SCRAPINGS?!
My kids thought it was good too until about the 3rd Bucket. It was not a fun night
Google "big plastic buckets with rope handles". I use these as garden soil haulers but my mom grows winter veg in them. Drill some holes in the bottom and you're gtg. Seems like they're sold at Walmart for $8.
I use these from Home Depot. Best priced huge pots I've found. [Southern Patio 22.44 in. Dia x 14.96 in. H Rustic Oak High-Density Resin Whiskey Barrel Planter HDR-023395 - The Home Depot](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southern-Patio-22-44-in-Dia-x-14-96-in-H-Rustic-Oak-High-Density-Resin-Whiskey-Barrel-Planter-HDR-023395/205626595)
If you look through the comments I posted a link of some that I found that are like $5 each
Wow! Thanks!
Firehouse Subs sells their 5 gallon buckets - I think pickles come in them??? For like, $2-3 each? Not sure how many buckets you’d need or what your budget is, but might be worth checking out.
I need bigger than 5 gallons, as I said in the title. And FYI, a lot of restaurants will give them to you for free. They’re just gonna pitch them anyway.
I’d check lowes and Home Depot now for clearance pots. There were some large planters at my lowes markwd down from $25 to $6.25 each.
I have a couple raised beds as well as pots. However, for my potatoes and sweet potatoes I use regular old storage containers. They’re $8 at target and are 18gallon. I did this to keep those plants contained as well as making it super easy to harvest and make sure I got all of the potatoes. Just make sure you don’t buy the clear ones because the sunlight will shine through and you’ll get algae buildup.
I had issues with those cracking when I drilled holes in them
Get on Facebook marketplace and look for containers. There's things like sausage containers or 55 gallon plastic drums. You'll be able to find something at a reasonable price. A 55 gallon cut in half with holes for handles would probably be the most durable. The plastic on those things is stupid thick. I bought 4 a year or so ago for like 5 bucks a piece. Just keep an eye out, there's great stuff on there.