9 Clever Ways To Save On Potting Soil For Your Containers

[@LittleGardenSK]

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[@rebeccazody1278]

I never thought about torn cloth items. But it is genius, especially using cotton. Thank you. I use mostly log/sticks/branches, leaves, grass clippings, kitchen scrapes, paper/cardboard.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hi Rebecca! I think using clothing should work good in these big tubs. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@saltlifegull4091]

Oh heck yeah! She has it figured out!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for stopping by the channel.

[@lis59827]

im so glad I found this video. it's just what I was looking for. I've been saving paper towel and toilet paper rolls. to put in my grow bags.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Great idea. I plan to expand my container garden this year - so need to do a lot of collecting to get them filled up. Thank you for stopping by my channel!

[@TheWickerShireProject]

Mineral containers are awesome! Love the reuse! Hügelkultur log fill is awesome idea! Long lasting. Sometimes you'll get Mushrooms popping out too!

[@LittleGardenSK]

That would be something! Are they edible?

[@HomeNorth]

Great ideas and making your own compost in the meantime. Wow you can really keep a lot of things out of the landfill this way.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Absolutely! Thanks for stopping by.

[@mbonney62]

Such unique and brilliant ideas! Thank you for sharing!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thank you Mary and thanks for stopping by my channel!

[@Chandrika-Eleven]

WOW! Who would have thought you could use all this stuff for the bottom of containers? I will now value more of my "trash" as treasure! (you've also relieved me of a lot of guilt from just throwing things away...) I'm now a responsible citizen! 😃😃😃

[@LittleGardenSK]

That's great. I look at my garbage in a whole new light now. Should I send to the landfill or use as filler in my garden containers? The latter seems like the better choice!

[@normanyatz8948]

Great ideas.thanks

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for watching!🥰 📢📢SUBSCRIBE TO THE LITTLE GARDEN NEWSLETTER: littlegardenontheprairies.substack.com/subscribe

[@MFV77]

Logs, branches, twigs; hay or straw; leaves or grass clippings; native soil, rocks, sand, bricks, clay; kitchen scraps, coffee grounds, compostable; noncompostable recycling; packing material, packing peanuts, even plastic; paper towel rolls, cardboard; towels, rags, clothing

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for stopping by the channel!

[@missymm188]

Love your video, I have been doing the same thing. I was looking to see if anyone uses feather pillows to take up space in big containers, I wondered if it should go in the bottom or middle layer. I hear they break down slowly. As I write I am watching you compost clothing!! How cool! We wear our stuff until its too awful to donate, I'm going to raid my husband's closet right now. Thank you!!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Its hard to get my husband to hand over his raggy clothes! Happy Gardening!

[@barbarahague6843]

Brilliant idea. Many thanks for this info.🤗🤗🥰🥰💕💕

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for stopping by my channel Barbara! 🩷

[@donnakerr8118]

wow! great ideas 😊 can barely wait to try some out! thanks

[@LittleGardenSK]

You are so welcome! Hope they work out for you.

[@helenthorne6514]

Awesome I do most of this with all my containers and beds .... so many benefits......

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hi Helen. Thanks for watching and happy gardening!

[@goatgal7884]

Wow, great ideas!Never thought about a lot of what you showed.Thanks for sharing 🧡.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hello - glad you enjoyed the video. Happy Gardening!

[@capriflorez7162]

Wow! Thanks good idea.

[@LittleGardenSK]

You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by the channel.

[@debraanderson4741]

Wow! Great ideas, I use a few but definitely going to use all these ideas. Thank you!

[@LittleGardenSK]

You are so welcome!

[@byronchandler3238]

Thank you, great ideas. Ive got 5 pots to fill this year.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Wonderful! Happy Gardening!

[@mylittlecoloradocottage]

Great ideas for filling space in pots.

[@LittleGardenSK]

I think so too! Thanks Vicki

[@sandraoconnor5700]

Really really great ideas so thanks for sharing!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Glad you like them! Thanks Sandra for stopping by my channel.

[@glenorie8530]

Watching from Trinidad and Tobago

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hello Glen from Trinidad or Tobago! Thank you for checking out my channel.

[@belindamclaughlin9258]

I've used logs, sticks and leaves as a hugelkultur container garden with great success, but I've never thought about old clothing. That's genius! (I need to do some cleaning out anyway, and I know a lot is too outdated for donation. Oops! This will make good use of it.) Thanks for the idea.

[@LittleGardenSK]

You're welcome. Happy Gardening!

[@silversage03]

I wish I could get some of those tubs! Great full ideas!!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hi Deborah - not sure where you live - but if you know of any cattle farmers in your area, its worth checking into. They work well for growing and make good rain barrels too.

[@WalkingbytheSpiritAlways]

Thank you. I use aluminum cans and pine cones most often, but the old clothing idea really surprised me. What about drainage? I have problems with overwatered annuals most years (in Atlanta and just had two inches of rain in 24 hours. Many plants want their soil to dry out between waterings.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Great point! I have drilled several holes in the bottoms of all my tubs to ensure good drainage.

[@rosemobley4978]

Great idea!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks Rose!

[@crystalroberts1777]

A use for my boyfriend of 10 years work clothes. He sounds alot like your husband with his dress code 🤭😂 great video! Thanks 😊 To anyone looking for these bins, I suggest making nice with your local farmers. I hunt coyote on my local farmers land because they have no need for them and they torment their livestock but I tan and sew furs. I did start out with pies and banana bread and that broke the ice. Happy gardening y'all 😊

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hello Crystal. We are always looking to give away these tubs to anyone who can use them! I've been sharing a lot of them with my gardening friends in the city. We have a friend who we let trap coyotes on our land every winter - really helps cut down the population.

[@crystalroberts1777]

@@LittleGardenSK Love it! Also so happy to hear about other trappers. It's a dying skill unfortunately. I personally think it's a necessity for the circle of life.

[@sassymango9369]

Thank you for the great ideas 💡

[@LittleGardenSK]

Glad you like them! Thanks for stopping by my channel.

[@devbachu7072]

Well said thank you

[@LittleGardenSK]

Happy Gardening!

[@ninclarke1357]

Thanks for sharing

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for stopping by my channel! 💖

[@Tacos_food_truck]

Thanks for the idea, I will be using dried up banana trees since we've had a bad winter in Orlando Fl🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

[@LittleGardenSK]

That sounds like a great filler and good way to get some more use out of organic materials.

[@kathygausvik7037]

At the endof the growing season what do you do with the stuff in the bottom also is it the same for fabric pots? Thank you

[@LittleGardenSK]

With these large containers - I don't remove anything. In the spring I will loosen up the top layer of soil and replenish with some fresh compost and fertlizer before planting.

[@LittleGardenSK]

🌈HELP SUPPORT MY CHANNEL AND BUY ME A PLANT 🌷www.buymeacoffee.com/littlegardensk

[@cathyplantlover2862]

Great ideas thanks 😊 👍

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for stopping by the channel!

[@firstbloodwarrior3868]

Thnx

[@LittleGardenSK]

👍 Thanks for stopping by my channel

[@gk-jf2nv]

Hi,can news paper ink doent not do any harm to soil or plant by using composatble newspapers items or notebooks ,books papers?

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hello! From what I've researched, most newsprint use a soy based ink, so should be ok to use in our soil.

[@samanthay9458]

I have lots of extra wood burning pellets, could I add a little in the bottom of my pots?

[@LittleGardenSK]

I would think those should work in a large container as long as no chemicals in them. They should make a good filler and break down slowly.

[@stephendavidrathburn8952]

For many years I've heard and read that straight carbon material like sawdust etc. Will rob nitrogen from the soil. How does that not apply in the case of puting that material in the bottom of containers? Thanks for the video! The Largest container I'm planning on using this spring is 5 gallon. Is your theory still applicable with smaller pots like 5 gallon ones?

[@LittleGardenSK]

Great Question! From what I've read and learned - most of these fillers are best to use in larger containers as they are slow to break down and can rob nutrients from the soil in the process. I replenish the surface soil on my large containers every spring with fresh soil to ensure plants are getting the nutrients they need. In smaller containers - I may use some dried leaves or straw in the bottom with majority of the fill being a homemade soil mixture - 1/3 each of Peat or Coco Coir/Compost/Perlite.

[@joec632]

Good info. Depressing music. thank u

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for your feedback and thanks for stopping by my channel!

[@CoderToHomesteader]

Definitely cardboard is an easy filler for me. I always have too many boxes from things I'm ordering 😂

[@LittleGardenSK]

Yes, I could fill a couple more tubs with my big bag of cardboard! Thanks for stopping by.

[@gk-jf2nv]

Is it decompose into compost to help plant to grow healthier?

[@MzAliH21]

Wouldnt the clothes smell like mildew after a while? Great video and love the awesome ideas! ❤️

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thank you. That container with the old cotton clothing has some beautiful spinach growing in it this year. Can't smell anything but dirt! Happy Gardening!

[@MzAliH21]

@@LittleGardenSK oh ok. Thank you for replying. Happy gardening 🌼

[@glenorie8530]

Can I use fresh grass cuttings?

[@LittleGardenSK]

Yes you can! Fresh grass should compost down quickly add some nitrogen to your soil.

[@lyndaodell3619]

My only concern is with clothes they will soak up and hold water remaining very wet water needs to be able to drain away otherwise roots will rot.Especially towels.

[@LittleGardenSK]

Might not be ideal depending on your climate. We are very dry here on the prairies - so having materials in the soil that act like a sponge is helpful and drainage holes in the containers help with any excess moisture. 📢📢SUBSCRIBE TO THE LITTLE GARDEN NEWSLETTER: littlegardenontheprairies.substack.com/subscribe

[@TM-jw1hd]

I absolutely love the idea of using organic yard material. BUT itl can spread pests, diseases, mildews, etc to your garden? That happened to me and now buy more soil invredients and mix it myself. I also read you can to compost the organic yard material for a year to kill off any diseases that may pass to your new plants. I reallt want to use organic yard materials again. Do you use neem oil or something else to prevent spreading disease and pests?

[@LittleGardenSK]

Hello! I have not used anything to prevent spreading of diseases or pests. I haven't notice any problems yet! Thanks for stopping by my channel

[@TM-jw1hd]

Thats amazing! I didnt realize Canada may not have those issues since its colder. I live in a warm, humid climate. I get Powdery Mildew and Spider Mites every year. Very difficult to grow healthy plants. I think the source could be from my neighbors and or possibly the local brush in our neighborhood. Love your channel!

[@LeslieRobinD]

Great ideas

[@LittleGardenSK]

Glad you found them helpful. Happy Gardening!

[@rogerbrandt6678]

Why’d you crush your milk bottles, another good ider if you are putting your planter on a driveway put some landscaping fabric in the bottom to stop them from leaking soil.

[@LittleGardenSK]

good idea. Thanks for stopping by the channel.

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Hi🇨🇦🇨🇦‼️

[@LittleGardenSK]

thanks for stopping by!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Np...those red containers look great!

[@evelynreppond8079]

Your husband’s Jeans look a lot like my husband’s. 😂

[@LittleGardenSK]

Haha! They definitely get good use out of them! Thanks Evelyn for stopping by my channel.

[@ivettesantana4319]

Agree with everything but the cloth and plastic materials

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thanks for stopping by my channel!

[@lis59827]

I'm on zone 6a in Cincinnati OH in the US.

[@LittleGardenSK]

I bet its much warmer there than here in Zone 3! Do you have your outdoor garden planted yet?

[@rogerbrandt6678]

Leave it too farmers for great ideas, another thing you can do is use old pots upside down.

[@lalithh1429]

Hello am from India.. can u send me that pot for me

[@LittleGardenSK]

😲

[@lalithh1429]

@@LittleGardenSK 👏

[@LeslieRobinD]

Eww used Kleenex nahh

[@LittleGardenSK]

Haha. Why not?

[@kenfox22]

Great tips

[@LittleGardenSK]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juanisgarden5356]

This is great advice, thank you!!!❤❤❤

[@LittleGardenSK]

You are so welcome! Happy Gardening. Subscribed to your channel!

[@elizabethvaughn9925]

Good ideas!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Glad you like them!