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Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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Posted by zahzeen 5 (My Page) on Thu, Oct 29, 09 at 17:15
| Our town just switched to standardize garbage containers that can be lifted automatically from inside the truck. They will no longer pick up any non town issued containers for garbage or recyclables. That leaves me 6 of my plastic garbage cans which I would like to use somehow. With the town we can bring them to the recycle center or use them for "yard waste". I thought I'd use two for yard waste and two for composting. That leaves me with another two plus others I can get from neighbors. My first thought was for wintersowing. Has anyone ever used plastic garbage cans for wintersowing and if so, how did you do it? Anyone else have some creative ideas? I still have the lids, I have both black and tan and they also have wheels on the bottom. Thanks for your help. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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| I use my old holey garbage cans to store compostable materials from my yard. Most of the time they hold shredded leaves, but sometimes I use one for green stuff too until they'll fit into one of my actual compost bins. They seem a little big to actually sow seeds in. I guess you could cut off the top, drill holes in the bottom, add potting mix and sow seeds. Too much work, no point as I see it. Karen |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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| flip them upside down, put a 2' x 8' sheet of plywood on them. Elevated, the squirrels and cats in the neighborhood will leave them alone. Too big and deep for wintersowing, I think. |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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| Thanks. I was planning on cutting them down but was unsure what the optimal depth would be since they can be almost as large or small as I want. What I really liked was that they were on wheels so I could move them around easily among the seasons. |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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I use one for storage in my garage. Easy to move since it is on wheels.
Maybe store soil in them or who know endless possibilities.
Bonnie |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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| I can't see them being used for winter-sowing. Even if you cut them down, that's wasting a lot of plastic. I use garbage cans for composting. Two ways - I use them for temporary storage of materials until I'm ready to put them in the compost pile, like Karen does. I also have some that I use as actual bins. Holes on the bottom, all over the sides, and in the lids, and I fill them with materials to compost. You can also use them as rain barrels. I have never done this myself (I have other barrels for rain barrels) but I have read that it is and can be done. Oh, and Bonnie's post just reminded me - I have one in my garage that I dump used potting soil into. Then, the next season, I mix some of that used potting mix with fresh to pot up new things. Actually, I have so many pots that now that I think of it, I believe I've started a second garbage can filled with potting mix. :)
Dee |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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I do that too Dee,use them for used potting soil.
cAROL |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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| Cut them down to use for WSing, and use the remainder ring to bury around an invasive plant that you are fond of (but don't like its invasive habit.) Or use the remainder ring as a pseudo-whiskey-barrel sized container...just set it where you want it, fill with soil, and use as an outdoor container. Bury it slightly so the bottom where you cut it doesn't show, or set it on a grassy spot. |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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I like mmqchdgg's Idea for invasives.
:)Laura |
RE: Using plastic garbage 'cans' for WS
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| A lot of great ideas. Thank you. I've already implemented a couple. Today I used two for yard waste, one to store potting soil and another to store branches for kindling wood for the fire. Can you tell I was raking the yard? Thanks again. |
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