They Don't Want You To Know About This $2.00 Raised Garden Bed From The Big Box Store!

[@midnightlightthevamp]

Tip: Ask your local coffee roasters for burlap bags! Coffee is usually shipped in burlap bags, so they usually have a ton of them and will probably give them to you for free.

[@marydaleo3701]

Not

[@toadlika]

I just ask my local Cooper for old barrels.

[@MarySmith-ry9cu]

@@toadlika what's a Cooper?

[@birdie.b]

@@MarySmith-ry9cu Coopers Hawk Winery

[@toadlika]

@@MarySmith-ry9cu They make wooden barrels.

[@JustGG1956]

I planted potatoes in dollar tree pillowcases filled with miracle grow potting soil. AMAZING HARVEST!

[@manderson4803]

I would love to see that.

[@Mark-Thompson-uj3ty]

😨😨😨bad company

[@paulasmith7803]

That is good to know!

[@Mark-Thompson-uj3ty]

Monsanto's roundup weed killer has a huge lawsuit for non Hodgkin's lymphoma i wouldnt trust anything from them. Stay organic-healthy soil/plant/human/earth

[@slimpyman]

Dang nice

[@judyreynolds305]

I am 64 , not as strong as I use to be…..so I just RECYCLE saved PAPER feed sacks! 🐓. Poke 4 holes! Sit 8 sacks 2 across, 4 long( rolled down top half before filling ) with WOOD CHIPS BOTTOM 1-2”, raised bed soil and sack is stabilized). As sacks decomposed and soil settles plants grow; you will end up with a slightly raised permanent garden bed! Free start,low work kills weeds underneath sack!

[@tmetme687]

Much better idea! I don’t know why anyone would use plastic in their garden.

[@catherineg8668]

What a fantastic idea! I imagine if you water carefully (drip, for instance), the outside edges hold up for the season. Really great!

[@pamelaspooner7183]

Or use one of those very thick cardboard box (not those flimsy ones, but like liquor boxes or moving boxes). Put a black plastic bag inside with several 1” holes in the bottom. Fill with good compost/potting soil and grow anything! I had one that has lasted for 6 years…the past 2 years I have surrounded it on 3 sides with old bricks (free from neighbor) just for some support and for looks.

[@pinningformichigan8120]

There is a woman in my neighborhood that uses about 60+ white 5 gallon paint buckets--like Lowes. She doesn't have to stoop down so much to harvest and practically no weeding. She even grew climbing beans the way. She has quite a harvest.

[@AmysAttitude]

​@@pamelaspooner7183What exactly is the point in using any good products or even growing your own food if you're going to throw a big plastic bag in there with all your food? Do not recommend doing this for any reason.

[@vegansydmost1345]

I'm 85 and tried a little garden last year behind my apartment. Little cucumbers grew, but I had to readjust the supports, and they didn't like to be touched. I swear the broccolis were smiling at me, and trying so hard to grow. I loved them.

[@JeffAtkinson-wh5xg]

THX.. Made me smile. :)

[@tonithomas3022]

Wonderful story.

[@offnl_]

❤

[@savvygood]

Adorable ❤

[@rubychurch3466]

Good on you. You’re inspiring.

[@HomewithNadineFlorida]

Love it! I wasn’t able to garden because of costs of soil and other materials needed. I looked at our messy yard filed with unraked leaves,branches, and logs. I raked it all into a pile, put coffee grounds on it daily, and let in sit for a few months. I am growing tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, and green beans in the ground in Florida.

[@camouflagejumpsuit]

I put yard waste in thick black trash bags, and left them in the backyard in Florida. In a few months I had the BEST rich soil. Surprise!

[@MásCebollasPorFavor]

This is similar to "lasagna gardening"!

[@Brocuzgodlocdunfamdogson]

Throw your lawn clippings and shredded paper onto the pile. That will get a compost pile heated up real quick.

[@JeffAtkinson-wh5xg]

brilliant!

[@OoooshetriesSs]

I’m curious where are u at in FL?? I’d love to do that but in Miami…ANY TIME I try to get into the ground here, I end up going thru a pic axe. SO much coral 😭

[@BostonBorn]

For those who don’t have a soldering iron…use the tip of a hot glue gun. 😉

[@lucypearlmorgan3115]

And for those that don't have a glue gun...use a pair of scissor. ; )

[@closetcleaner]

And for those that don't have a pair of scissors... use a pencil. 😉

[@renel7303]

Thank you! I haven't used the soldering iron or wood burning tool in years and I'm not sure where they are. But I can lay my hands on a spare glue gun in ten seconds. Great tip!

[@bobjob3632]

Ssssssmart!!

[@Jcremo]

@@CyberSERT and for those that don’t have teeth go out and buy a darn soldering iron…

[@mattiecopeland8741]

WOW!! This demonstration is awesome. I just turned 75. I wanted several raised beds, but could not afford to pay someone to build them for me. Thank you and God bless.

[@susanwilson9755]

72 here.

[@helencampanella9725]

I LIKE THE IDEA OF RAISED BEDS BUT WHO WOULD VOULENTEER TO MAKE A FEW FOR ME. IM A SENIOR TOO.

[@deelighted4u]

Me too!

[@lindahurd9717]

@@susanwilson9755 80 here

[@jammahgirl]

You should try straw bale gardening. Its an instant raised bed! They work amazingly well. And very little to no weeding....and no plastic... :-)

[@zachyweezer]

Great ideas here. To all those living close to a Dollar Tree, they have very similar tarp style bags in their little seasonal gardening section. They might be a tad larger than what's seen here and cost only $1.25.

[@Seriouslydave]

Dog food bags same material.

[@maymiller6308]

Wonder if horse feed and chicken feed 🎒's might be about the same as dog food bags.

[@pamh.5705]

​@@Seriouslydave Hmmmm.....my pet food bags are plastic or plastic reinforced paper.

[@avajo5597]

​@@pamh.5705 I think the really large dog food bags are the tarp-style reinforced material.

[@pamh.5705]

@@avajo5597 Not sure I don't buy the big bags anymore, in fact I don't buy dogfood at all anymore, my dog died suddenly about a month ago. And even for him I bought smaller bags cause he was only 30 lbs. I do buy 40 lb bags of cat food though & Those bags are plastic, sadly.

[@mirozen_]

Hate to be a rain cloud regarding this, but it might be worth ensuring that the plastics these bags are made of won't leech chemicals. I think it would be worth checking out just to play is safe.

[@misscoy05ify]

That was one of my first thoughts

[@29cyd1]

@@misscoy05ify Me, too.

[@pantameowmeow.s.1149]

I read 2, 4, and 5 are "ok", but note - many containers for lets say mixing cement at home, have a "mixed" recycled plastic symbol. Recycled plastic water bottles leach even more plastic crap into the water.

[@terriking7913]

You can use a large brown paper box instead

[@MissMolly3377]

Yeah, I thought of this right away.

[@noomikifarkis9062]

As a swede that has like 20 IKEA bags, I am very happy right now. This will save me a fortune! 😄

[@RhodaJayne]

I thought of IKEA bags too! I’ve bought similar ones from Amazon too.

[@Ed19601]

they will last barely a season outside...but still good for a potato crop

[@purpleroseB]

I grow potatoes and cucumber straight in the sack of soil... I don't have a garden, just a little patio. Pots works great too if you don't have a garden. I have had potatoes, strawberrys, red currant, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, raddishes, blueberry and chives growing in pots and bags on a rader small balcony. I live in Sweden so we can't grow all year around, but it's possible to grow more than you think! 😊

[@gladysanderson1351]

thanks for sharing what can all be grown in these.

[@purpleroseB]

@@gladysanderson1351 Glad if I could help in any way!

[@marsfeathers]

Oh golly I want some red currant, my favorite fruit as a kid so delicious and sour!!!

[@purpleroseB]

@@marsfeathers When I was a kid we got it as dessert with whipped eggs (with a lot of sugar added). Use a big pot for the red currant. 👍 This year I'm gonna try rhubarb in a pot. I love everything you can make with rhubarb. 😊 Will also have strawberries this year.. 😊

[@boogiebored6842]

Thank you I have tried lots of ways, but the squirrels eat everything I grow.. I don't know how to stop this....

[@govindabhakti]

For those who have no electricity... Take a large nail.. Heat it on a kitchen burner till hot... Grab a hot mit and shove through as many holes you can before it cools.... Repeat as necessary!!!

[@jesshothersall]

Also if you don't want to hold a nail, heat a drill bit in your cordless drill, whether you turn it on or not?

[@pamelaspooner7183]

Or use scissors and snip holes.

[@myopinion6092]

why no electricity? you okie hill bred?

[@quiltingrammie]

My son lived in Sweden for a few years. We loved visiting there.

[@sheilahenderson3182]

Make your drain holes about a couple inches UP FROM the bottom. Then a little bit of water will stay in the soil mixture, instead of quickly draining out from bottom holes.

[@PhilLesh69]

That little bit of stagnant water might increase the risk of root rot fungus.

[@c.m.303]

@@PhilLesh69 I started putting drain holes about 2-3 inches up the side of the pots when I lived in TX...it helped keep the plants alive there! Otherwise, there was no way to keep a container watered in that kind of heat!

[@TH-eb5ro]

I do the same with pots, have not had a root rot problem.

[@c.m.303]

@Michelle B It depends on how wet is the area you live in. While in Texas I put just one rather small hole (from a hot nail) 2-3 inches up from the bottom on the backside. I would probably do the same in MN, but more towards the 2 inches rather than 3. Use good soil that both drains excess water, but also has organic matter and holds moisture. And if you lay mulch on top, (don't mix it in), it will help shade it so the sun doesn't heat the pot and roots up so much and looks nice.

[@c.m.303]

@Michelle B and just to be clear...I would skip the hole on the bottom.

[@Paula-mf7cf]

For those of you who buy horse feed they now mainly use a strong plastic weave bag for most brands. If you turn them inside out so there is no labeling and cut the two pointed ends off, roll the bag down to about 2/3 tall you get great raised containers. I use them to plant root veggies like potato's and such because instead of digging down I just take a razor knife and open up the bag throw the dirt into a new bag. No digging

[@EVERGLOW828]

So smart

[@juanmanriqu3435]

Thankyou. You just saved me $2. A bag

[@somethingoldsomethingnew2199]

Would the 50 pound bags that chicken feed come in work as well?

[@hollyagnew1953]

Dog and cat food bags too. I have washed them up and sewed handles on for quirky totes for my animal-loving friends.

[@donnaschott3880]

@@somethingoldsomethingnew2199 I think that before I would use any plastic bag I'd want to know if it was "food grade" and would not release toxins into whatever I was growing for food.

[@christinephippen4903]

Nice video - I love your spirit. Comes up for me that these bags are plastic, so as they break down you get micro plastics in your soil and food.( Something we need to be much more aware of altogether). So the burlap bags are an attractive option for me, as they're made of natural material. Loved the layering of other materials below the soil.

[@ireneadele4810]

Yes - micro plastic. We are not aware of the distribution everywhere.

[@gb4771]

Exactly. Microplastics are bad.

[@WildBearFoot]

Most Americans already have microplastics in their blood. Sames true for most countries. Sad times.

[@LuciaBeans]

​@@WildBearFootyes, let's not add more.

[@MsLookinup]

Maybe someone mentioned this already, but if using logs or branches to fill space to save on dirt, do not use Black Walnut wood, or wood from a tree in the Walnut family. There may be other types of wood you shouldn't use also, I don't know, but Black Walnut gives off juglone, which serves to prevent many plants from growing around the base of that tree. It is toxic to tomatoes and many other plants. So also, never plant your garden within 50 feet of a Black Walnut tree. I have found however, that wild raspberries seem to grow very well around them.

[@mrcharliewebb]

I have an old giant walnut tree, but how do I know if it's black walnut? I'm actually moving my garden this year as my garden past few years was less than 20' away from our tree. Good to know!

[@MsLookinup]

@@mrcharliewebb I think that any tree in the Walnut family can be problematic if used as garden fill, or if your garden is planted close by. I never have seen raw regular walnuts, so I can't make a comparison. Google probably could though. But I do know that the black walnuts in our yard have a very strong, sharp smell to them, and stain our hands black if we mess with the outer hulls. It's too bad we have never acquired a taste for them, we have so many.

[@mrcharliewebb]

We have what seems to be the English Walnut. Most are harvested by squirrels and birds. I'm excited this year to start a new container garden in hopes of more success.

[@MsLookinup]

@@mrcharliewebb That is exciting! I pretty much have to use containers as the area is covered with black walnut, like I mentioned. Have you decided on what type of containers you are going to use?

[@J3rs3yM1k3]

The chemical that causes this is produced by the root system, which it stops producing when the root dies. Don't add roots to your bag, which you shouldn't anyway, and it'll be fine.

[@0177Mia]

I would go with the burlap. Sew your own and it will pay for itself. Some plastic has chemicals that seep into the soil..IMHO the closest thing to natural is what I am shooting for...great advice for ideas! Ty

[@valley505]

Just burlap container?

[@jamestomlin5525]

I was just thinking the same, thanks for confirming!

[@terrynorris1435]

I was also wondering about chemicals from plastics seeping into soil.

[@joanmaltman9580]

A soldering iron is great. I saved 1litre yogurt containers and used the soldering iron to make holes in the bottom and now have multiple plant pots.

[@rofree2470]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@CAgrandaddypurps69]

Here in hawaii we dont use grocery bags at all. Foodland and safeway might give you brown paper bags. Hawaii is a no plastic bag state. So if you forget your bags all yoir items are going in you truck car lose. But they offer purchase of the tote bags at counter. So only reusable cloth tote bags that are dirt cheap. 15 cents a piece. Perfect 2 gallon pot. I ise to throw them away when the handles broke until i was like wait. These are cheap smart bags essentially. Lol

[@desmondsharpe9623]

They go in loose unless you buy 13 gallon trash bags to put them and take them home that way

[@smokymtnlady3856]

Yes! Great idea! Aldi sells reusable cloth tote bags too! I’d rather use those over plastic! Thx for the idea! 😃

[@wayneukes2438]

wow, reusable CLOTH bags....so much better than the plastic 'fabric' bags!

[@lisachaly]

I recently read an article that discussed these plastic tarps and weed blockers used in gardening and farming is contaminating our soils with micro plastics (as they break down) that the plants than uptake into their roots and hence their fruits and veggies 😭 something natural and biodegradable is always the best option, obviously it may not be as cheap as these options, but the cost in the long run to health and environment is well worth it 👍🏽

[@jamesdagmond]

So many things are contaminating the earth with microplastics. From car tires to our clothing. by the time we figure out how harmful these things are it'll be too late.

[@MetalAsFork]

Yeah that'd be my concern, the paint and plastics leeching into the soil... No thanks.

[@Nonx47]

And then you hear stories of people who smoke their whole lives, live on basically nothing but fast food and not the healthiest of drinks who end up living to 100 years old. I think it's not healthy mentally (and in return to our bodies) to be too extreme on either end. I wouldn't worry too much about plastics as long as they're not heated to high temperatures when the plants are growing, which they won't be.

[@the_real_cookiez]

I'm glad someone commented this cuz I was just thinking about this. Microplastics and paint. Cost effective yes but not ideal growing conditions

[@the_real_cookiez]

​@@Nonx47And the reason why you hear about that cuz it's an anomaly. It makes for good news. And how many other thousands or millions of ppl do get cancer from smoking lol. Same thing with the breaking news of fit healthy marathonist dying from a heart attack all of a sudden. How many thousands of active, healthy, and fit live long healthy lives. Outliers make for good news stories.

[@tomfromoz8527]

You young man just earned yourself a new sub! Also, the wood and organic matter in the bottom does much more than you said! It's a culture that makes a living soil in that bed. I would have added a few worms because I sheet compost with pulled weeds and garden waste. I garden by this creed: I feed the worms. The worms feed the soil. The soil feeds the plants, and the plants feed me. >> Tom's Ukrainian/American wife Pam

[@offnl_]

Nice thought

[@rockreader4298]

Dan, it just dawned on me, that after years of weeding through the many gardening channels, You and Alice have the Best, most Practical knowledge about gardening, simple information that anybody can apply in their life. I'd say That Makes Your Channel The Best! I hear the entire crowd cheering in agreement. ( : Grow Bags of Love to You Both. God Love Yah.

[@rockreader4298]

@@patriciacole8773, ( :

[@renel7303]

I just discovered this channel a few days ago. I did the happy dance when I discovered that we share zone 9B. Yes! If it grows for them it'll grow for me.

[@rockreader4298]

@@renel7303 , Spectacular! ( :

[@plantabundance]

Thank you kindly! We appreciate the love and support!

[@aspiringnurse2791]

May i ask where i can find Alice's channel? I am new to gardening. Thank you.

[@cecoya]

Ingenious for sure. I use a hanging shoe holder to grow herbs. It is made of a canvas material and has the small metal hooks that were meant to hang over the door I put them over the fence to hang. They get sprayed everyday and stay moist but not drowning in water. Have a great day

[@DianaStitching]

I've got one of these holders, and I was going to chuck it. Now I'll use it in the garden! Thanks for sharing.

[@cecoya]

@@DianaStitching reuse, repurpose, and recycle lol

[@pjmnash]

Amazing idea I might just steal! Indoors?

[@marthakenny2491]

was about to throw mine out, I love this idea because I am all about recycling everything. Thanks

[@Shaktipaj]

Wonderful ideas! A few years ago we adopted 3 pound dogs. The dog food bags are really heavy duty, so we used the same techniques you did and made planters. We get a new one every month for free!!! Happy planting!!

[@tubthump]

If you keep using the same bags they will break down and distribute plastic particles throughout the garden

[@Shaktipaj]

@@tubthump True, and of course they will. However, we also use all of the other suggestions, such as covering against UV with cardboard and natural fiber cloth, most of which we get second hand. **All** of these suggestions are temporary, and opportunities to re-use or recycle, as outlined in the video. Just as an aside, dog food bags are unwoven. They are also made of plastic roughly equivalent to the thickest greenhouse sheeting, so they will break down much less quickly than the shopping bags.

[@tubthump]

@@Shaktipaj those dog food bags are useful short-term. I've used them for spuds for one season and they worked ok. As they're relatively tall and it's easy to keep stones/lumps out I think I'll try carrots in some this year. I'm a bit wary of wrapping them in anything else in case it provides a comfy home for slugs etc!

[@patriciaconrad8013]

I was thinking the same thing..free

[@doylehutcherson4816]

@@patriciaconrad8013 bbbj

[@Dit1160]

I also use pillow cases…I double them. I was at Walmart yesterday, on their clearance there were 6 packages of 2 100% cotton pillow cases…all white for $1.00 each pack. I will recycle my last yr pillowcases to planters, use the new ones until it’s time for them to become planters.

[@janelast5177]

Great idea

[@quiltingrammie]

Genius!

[@mattheweburns]

My biggest issue is that a developer intentionally Damned up a creek during a hurricane, flooding my entire yard and neighborhood. FEMA said that we should not eat anything as there was a sick layer of oil and hydrocarbons that settled on top of everything. I would like to do raise beds because I always garden every year but I don’t want to end up eating cancer tomatoes, so something like this would be great thanks for the videos, cheers.

[@calebrobinson6406]

Maybe try introducing oyster mushrooms to remediate?

[@Jules-rk1sp]

If it’s your yard unfortunately you’re gonna have to figure out how to cure your soil

[@Romans828girl]

Jess at Roots and Refuge had some mulch a couple years ago that was contaminated with glyphosates. She used mycelium and sunflowers to pull the toxins out of the soil. I think I would be covering my yard with plants that would do that. I've heard mullein is good for that, as well.

[@wayneukes2438]

Hope what it is illegal what the developer did and they are forced to pay remediation. So sorry this happened to you.

[@dinabarzilai9317]

@@wayneukes2438 i'm sure they got out of it somehow. look at what the train wreck people in palestine OH did...getting people to sign agreements for only a few 100 bucks to avoid any legal action

[@eejeffries]

Dan, we use a similar concept with plastic mesh garden towers to grow veggies in Kenya. The towers are about 4 feet high, and we poke holes in the sides to poke seedlings in. Each large bag holds 120 plants.

[@kayBTR]

Evelyn, is the plastic mesh you used like his. I think of mesh as having big holes and then having to line it with a solid fabric. Thanks for you idea!

[@jesshothersall]

@@kayBTR You can get mesh with minute holes to keep even insects out, right up to huge holes. Mesh just means there are holes in the fabric, size irrelevant :).

[@everettreitz7143]

I tried an idea I had for a raised bed. I needed something about 3 foot tall so I don't have to bend over. I'm 72 and getting a little stiff. I have watched a lot of videos for ideas and all said if I made it out of wood I needed a special [expensive] wood that would not rot. Well I built a frame out of pine 2x4 with 4x4 legs. the bed was about 2 foot off the ground and a foot to a foot and one half deep depending what I was going to plant. I lined the bed with 3/8 sheathing and then bought a roll of plastic that I lined the bed pulling the plastic over the top of the bed frame and nailed strips along the edge to hold the plastic in place. Next I cut a hole in the bottom of the bed and bought a cheap PVC drain with a tail piece caulked it and screwed it in place. This drained all excess water which you can catch as it is carrying vital food for the plants away every time you water and use it for watering the next day. I filled the beds hugle-style. I am still using my first bed I made 7 years later and replaced the plastic once and I figure I will be able to use it again this year before I need to replace some of the lumber. If you cover the top edge of the bed with wood trim it protects the plastic from the sun and helps holding it in place

[@stilllearning8360]

What innovation!! Great idea and instructions!

[@everettreitz7143]

@@stilllearning8360 thank you...I loved sharing....I need to make a drawing and put it in a PDF so I can share it easier.

[@gelwood99]

^8 and I had a total hip replacement last year, We used 90-year-old tin to be the sides of my raised beds 3 1/2' x 12' by 27" and the wood is not in actual contact with the soil because I put down the commercial greenhouse weed fabric under it all. It sweeps clean, allows no weeds, and makes gardening easy. I also filled the raised beds with limbs and dead trees from our woods to save on soil and compost. I did find it impossible to harvest okra because it was too tall once it started producing pods but I made a new bed in the front for okra and tomatoes. No need to bend once the plants are tall enough to attach to the cattle fence I put up. I love thinking smarter instead of working harder!

[@everettreitz7143]

@@gelwood99 very good.....thinking smarter is always good

[@suburbanbanshee]

The monks out on the Hebrides have raised beds that are literally on long tables, because it is really cold and damp and windy. Raised beds on tables get warm from the sun and don't freeze or get flooded away as easily. But the good bit is harvesting potatoes without bending over. Good for the back!

[@karaerway4907]

I just started saving our chicken feed bags for this type of thing. I hate throwing stuff away if it can be repurposed and the other day it dawned on me what I can use them for. We have 53 chickens so I have plenty of bags. So excited to try it!

[@cindysmith3720]

you know, you can also take the feed bags and sew tote bags and sell them at auctions and flea market for 10 dollars each for them, also feed stores...People go nuts and you can find the easy instructions on you tube...Large Dog/ cat food bags too...Sew a handle on them..they are great money makers for animal shelters, too...

[@karaerway4907]

@@cindysmith3720 thank you for the idea!! I already sew so this would be a great easy idea. :). We run a common sense prepper group at our church where my husband is the minister and we are always looking for ideas for the group and things some of the older folks can do. So thank you again, my mind is bubbling with ideas now :)

[@mindypowers]

I used all my feed bags to move my dirt to my rental. I think I had 35 bags? Using them as grow bags I recommend extra holes. My potatoes rotted out before I got to harvest them.

[@plantabundance]

Great idea!

[@angiesandovalzuniga7220]

Bags of dog food are made out of the same material 😅

[@TonyaTko]

If you don't have a soldering gun (or a glue gun) : Take a wire hanger, straighten the hook with your hands, heat it over an open flame, press it onto what you want to melt a hole through, abs repeat. You're welcome ❤🙏🏾🙂

[@serenakoleno9338]

Most areas have free pallets. You can mix paint with half water to stain them if desired. Stack some to use as potting benches, or to display pots. But depending on how many you stack, you can raise containers to whatever height you want. TFS

[@serenakoleno9338]

I have two stacks about 5 feet apart and slid 2 x 6 boards in slots between to make an area to sit. One stack is higher for different working heights for greater versatility. Be sure to use pallets stamped HT, Heat Treated, so you don't bring bad chemicals home.

[@Elementaldomain]

The trouble with pallets is that a lot of them come into the country in shipping containers, not locally made. Most pallets coming in this way are saturated with chemicals to kill bugs that might be coming in with the materials stored on them. They are akin to lumber you buy that is used for ground level construction…..highly toxic.

[@annkruspig3796]

My money saving idea is to use cloth drop cloths. The price has gone up but you get a very large (9x12 ft) piece of linen like fabric. I have 4 grown children and have made many curtains for large apartment windows, for them and myself. It will fray but sews easily to hem the edges. Thank you for your frugal ideas. I need them!

[@ohthelovelypoems]

I use drop cloths on my furniture that my dogs lay on.

[@FloridaGirl-]

Great idea Ann 👍

[@denisemcdonald2729]

Thanks for the tip using drop cloth material! Gee, why didn't I think of that? I have in the past made new drop cloths to make natural looking rod pocket curtains. 😊

[@marthakenny2491]

great idea

[@cathycrowder2226]

I just use 5 gallon food grade buckets. Put some holes in the bottom, fill with a good potting soil and fertilize about once a month. I grow tomatoes, beans, corn,peppers, pollinators, herbs etc. Buckets last easily 5 years or more and come with handles! Cost is minimal.

[@jimbox114]

Alot of time you can get them free at local burger joints. Pickles come in 5 gallon buckets. Last time I asked at a local Burger King and they gave me 5 of them.

[@cathycrowder2226]

@@jimbox114 Interesting!

[@georgiannalee1921]

5 gal food buckets cost $8 each. Not too cheap.

[@cathycrowder2226]

@@georgiannalee1921 Keep looking. I get them for about 3-4 dollars a piece.

[@amandafrancis6119]

You can get them from painters. You just have to clean them and then they r free. They appreciate you taking them off their hands.

[@DenverDerwood]

Yesterday I spent $2.00 on a yellow onion at King Soopers in Colorado. I find that utterly insane. Time to start thinking about using the space in my own backyard. These raised beds are a great starting point! Thank you!!!

[@myoung4653]

Buy chopped frozen onions. They are so much cheaper. Peppers are the same. Especially peppers. They are so expensive now. Not good for fresh uses but perfect for cooking.

[@michelledax4083]

Of you save the bottom with the root portion and plant it, it will grow and you have green onion tops.

[@wmurphy632]

I harvested my onions from last springs planting. Many are still small. So I’m replanting the small ones to overwinter and cover in winter, and along with them I’m planting some onion seeds for scallions next spring. I’ll plant enough to let some scallions remain in ground for bigger onions next fall or the year after and keep succession planting like that.

[@wmurphy632]

Also, plant garlic cloves this autumn for garlic next year. If you have roses, they like garlic planted near them.

[@debrapaulino918]

Yes and apt ground patios. Soil #1 for growing. Shaded still gets rays. Sun by 11 is too hot. A patio will fry so shade is good. Install camera for thieves😂 Ingenuity with patio space.

[@marthakenny2491]

Thank you so much for this idea. I am a first-time veggie gardener, with my daughter and Grandson to help, it is often overwhelming seeing all the videos that further add to the confusion. We were worried about the cost of making raised beds, but were going to use all the left-over wood around our house. Now we can have an attractive raised bed using all the Amazon boxes, and chicken wire. It will be beautiful, thanks to your site. Cannot say this enough, THANK YOU!!!!

[@chrissydecker6793]

Watched this video a few weeks to late. Just spent a total of $500 to get my garden going. 2 raised 3x6 beds, soil, seeds, and fertilizer. But when I expand I'll now be able to have more cost efficient ways. Thank you.

[@balakab.ghosal3731]

Great idea. My only concern is micro-plastic from soft plastic materials over time. Using burlap bags with cardboard interior would be best.

[@daniellewhite168]

Most microplastics are from car tires.

[@alyssalooo8547]

@@daniellewhite168 This bag degrading in your garden will result in microplastics... in your garden. Want to eat that?

[@mukmewx]

Same worry, I’d never do this because of these reasons.

[@elisabethjones4917]

About how much will that cost?

[@monnoo8221]

@@daniellewhite168 depends on the definition and the location, river mouths "just" 40%, in the alps 80% from those bags

[@katespencer4038]

I am currently using a few walmart grocery bags for smaller vegetables. This is their second year. Going to try the ikea bags when you live in an apartment everything needs to be portable

[@Beeker575]

I use plastic cat litter containers for raised planters! I already buy the litter in them and its a great way to reuse them. I planted tomatos, peppers, and zucchini in them last year and they all did great!

[@paulhorn24]

Great idea, reuse packaging! 👍

[@karvinmedia]

Nice. Are they used by the cats or not? I have 1 cat and change the litter almost every day. Be nice to reuse it.

[@Icewing10]

@@karvinmedia why do you change the litter everyday?

[@amberstancil2361]

I llwas just thinking about using the cat food bags I've been "saving" for some reason. They can't be recycled so this would be a great way to reduce waste going to our landfills.

[@mamajan99]

Walmart's shopping bags work. I like to bury them 1/2 way to moderate our hot climate soil temperatures and rapid evaporation. The handles make them easy to start inside and "transplant" to outside as weather permits or bring them in for a late freeze. They can also be used with a "rain gutter" system where they sit on a full rain gutter and wick up water as needed.

[@barbarawoodhouse5514]

Great ideas. Nice to have all these money saving ideas in our back pocket when planning an edible garden.

[@sventer198]

Another benefit of adding wood to the bottom of your raised bed is that the process of breaking that wood down releases heat which will warm up your soil much earlier in the growing season in cold climates aka hügelkulture.

[@jennyl.5358]

Actually you can just poke holes in the bottom on the garden soil bag itself, but you need shallow growing plants like radishes but it worked & was surprised how many earth worms I found when I dumped it at end of season.

[@deni9626]

Like Perri Jackson below, I use dog food bags. Incredibly heavy, I turn them inside out so they are white. Instead of putting the part that is turned at the top on the outside, I turn it to the inside. Don't forget to put some holes in it. The other thing I do is put pots in it, then water can be added to the heavy plastic bag which then soaks up into the pot.

[@penelopegrier5073]

I never would have thought about that. Great idea!!

[@melissab8500]

Thank you! I'll be trying that

[@JustMe-nv5xy]

Great idea. Now I know what to do with all my chicken feed bags too.

[@melodyclark4347]

@@JustMe-nv5xy Ha! I just jumped for joy over a use for the dog food bags, and you throw in chickens 😊.

[@HeidiLilley]

What size dog food bags do you use? I get my dog food in 30lb bags, wondering if they are big enough, they are more tall than wide.

[@marihahart7847]

Thank you so much for this video! I dont think I've ever seen a video so well made that it actually made me feel less intimidated by gardening. The rate of your speech coupled with the clarity of your diction helped my brain to relax and everything you said was such a good idea! And you're right, the burlap cover is beautiful!! What a clever way to bring style into a yard! When form and function can both be achieved, you know you've done well. I cannot thank you enough for this video and I can't wait to watch everything you've made.

[@jeaniewelch9198]

Oh!!! I found you again!! Lost my phone and forgot the name of your show.....but NOW I FOUND YOU AGAIN!!! HOORAY!!

[@wenchaoshao184]

WOW, genius! I love IKEA shopping bags, actually have quite a few, but never thought of using it as a grow bag. Thank you!

[@celestite888]

Hello Dan......... I just want to say that I very much appreciate the energy that you put forth as you speak and explain and show us things that you find of value.... which clearly they are... So it is not just that the information you offer us has value, but the quality of your energy, I find, is such that it is soothing and healing to the human psyche. I am sure that you are aware of that... but I just wanted you to know that to those of us who are sensitive to energy, your high positive vibratory rate is perceptible, and we appreciate it. So many many blessings to you and yours........... With gratitude..... from Canada.

[@curioustealeaves]

I just found your channel last week and omg, the wealth of information I’ve received to help with my tropical garden is amazing! Big love from Ghana 🇬🇭!

[@krazmokramer]

Stumbled onto your video while watching raised beds videos. I just installed and filled my first raised bed garden, which is also my first ever garden. I'm nearly 70y.o., but it's never too late to start! You have some great, low cost suggestions in this video! THANK YOU for sharing!!

[@orriesmom5769]

This video is BRILLIANT! My 83 year old mother wants me to plant her a raised-bed garden with various veggies and I have been looking for the most economical way to do it!

[@truthbknwn]

Putting compost materials at the bottom should create heat, such that you may be able to keep a winter garden in cold winter regions.

[@wenchaoshao184]

Guys, IKEA has a beige shopping bag for $2.79 now. PERFECT!!!!

[@DeborahStephenson]

I got your $2 bags beat. Mine are free and I get about 4 or 5 of them each week by reusing the feed bags my chicken scratch and pellets come in. I have to buy the feed and never could bring myself to throw the bags away, so now, in addition to free raised planters, I have sandbag material, garbage bags, etc. If you don't have chickens, dog food and cat food bags are nearly always made of the same material. You can also open out the bags into sheets and use them for weed suppression, as small tarps or sew them together for bigger ones. I have even made some very interesting handled shopping bags from a few!

[@1Hollytamaleholly1]

Might save even more money by directly planting into the ground, into the soil 🤯😱

[@future.homesteader]

If you want a lot of the bags & live near an Ikea store it's probably worth the time to make an Ikea trip because the bags are 99¢ at USA Ikea stores. We use those bags all over the house & for shopping, etc. I've seen them used as grow bags before but haven't tried it yet.

[@blizzard_of_Za]

I’m in construction so I use the left over filter fabric construction grade and fill up milk crates work amazing for me

[@donnybowers7832]

I use those 10 to 15 pound pet food bags that are made out of similar material. I tack stitch the corners of the bottom to make the bottom square, then I turn them inside out so that they're not so ugly. The inside is usually white which also reflects some of the heat of the sun. I also use a soldering iron to poke holes all over the sides of the bags starting about 2 or 3 inches from the bottom. I believe this allows the roots to air prune. I don't put holes in the bottom because these bags tend to dry out fairly quickly with the holes in the sides. This allows for some moisture to be retained in the bottom of the bag. It hasn't caused any kind of root rot so far. I've been experimenting with this for the last 3 years. I have to buy cat food anyway so it's basically a free growing container. You can only use these for 1 or sometimes 2 years because the bottom seams tend to rot since they're sown together with biodegradable threads. So far I've only tried growing potatoes in them and I haven't yet had a very good harvest. But the plant itself grows very well in these bags all the way to harvest time. I'm pretty confident that something like a tomato or pepper plant would do quite well in them. Another thing I've been doing lately is watching for those "green" grocery bags to go on sale. I sometimes see them 2 for a dollar and I pick up a bunch of them. They make great grow bags. The nice thing about them is that the roots will air prune. In the heat of the summer it helps to put them in some kind of tray where you can keep about an inch of water at the bottom of the bags.

[@iwona4685]

Great ideas! I'm going to try. I'm also thinking, those cat litter buckets will make good growing containers.

[@renel7303]

@@iwona4685 I just got 35 pound cat litter buckets at Tractor Supply. First it was an excellent price on good litter and second I figured I was getting a $4-5 bucket or planter "free". 💁‍♀️

[@iwona4685]

@@renel7303 when you are at TS try pine bedding for cat litter. I think nothing compares. Around $6 for 40lbs, natural, lightweight and great odor control.

[@renel7303]

@@iwona4685 I'll look into that. Thanks. I buy the huge bags of cedar shavings. They deter fleas and the cats don't like walking on it so they stay out of the areas I spread it.

[@cherylkygirl7181]

Have you thought about running a bead of hot glue down the seam to compensate for degrading of thread?

[@jourdanhamme3426]

The burlap looks beautiful

[@kpthenut1]

I’ve used these bags for years to carry my laundry!

[@deeaustin379]

Thank you!! You just gave me a way to use some burlap bags I got for free from a local coffee distributor. I will also use the hugelculture method to fill the bags. Now I can use more of my budget for plants!

[@YvetteArby]

Hahaha! I was looking to see if someone already posted this tip! The coffee bags are also wonderful to protect your tender plants if a freeze is forecast. I got mine from a local coffee roaster and they were happy to give me as many as I wanted! I took the extras to my fuchsia club friends. ✌🏼💖

[@WatchwomanOnTheWall-zk9po]

Expect them to rot after a year, and the bags don't open to be very big, and they will tip over in a small breeze, though if you use them like he did on the video, they will last longer because they do not touch the soil at all.

[@naomisims7230]

You can also spray the outside of the bags with a UV protective paint...it also works on clear plastic (Sterlite) containers. The colored Sterlite containers will last several years. When they do start cracking, duct tape wrapped around the containers fixes that! Also after Easter, you can get Easter egg pails on sale. If you look around apt building dumpsters, you might find free pails & containers.

[@jacquelynhill1598]

Thanks for the duct tape idea!

[@beatrizviacava-goulet3450]

Bakeries ...free Car washes ...free biodegradable soap containers ... Paint black and buried them half ways ...

[@kb3svj]

Interesting idea. A product your viewers may be interested in researching is a product used in road construction; 'road stabilization fabric' OR 'poly road fabric'. This is the black fabric laid down o the surface of a road under construction, in driveways, etc that allows for water to pass through and prevents aggregate migration (meaning the sub surface of the road which is compacted dirt, won't become an endless abyss for the base stone to pass downward) from being gobbled up by the dirt below. This is off topic but worth a mention. If you have a lane to your house with big pot holes or ruts that always eat up your stone, line it with the fabric before adding more stone. That fabric covered with stone won't be able to pass easily downward. Hence, once the settlement of your stone covered fabric stops downward, you can then top off the whole lane with stone/gravel. modified etc and end your sinking stone issues. But I digress. The fabric is similar to the black landscaping fabric one finds at garden centers and such, which comes in rolls of like 3 to 4 feet in with and maybe 25' long. The road fabric is UV safe so that could be used in lieu of the burlap. I guess one could even fashion handmade garden pot bags from the stuff. So, search "poly road fabric" will populate your screen with nice pics and places to find the stuff. Regards, John.

[@nodanceswithwolves8425]

Great tip! The dairy farm I used 2 work at lined the ground of their pens with that....much better than just plain dirt!

[@catherinemurphy873]

Very interesting. I love all the comments. Thanks 👍

[@rivegaucheranch]

Appreciate your comittment. The minute it rains here though, it will break down. Those lil holes wouldn't be enough in connection 8.

[@anniemorrison1250]

A lot of us older gardeners who are new at this sure appreciate your advice. I use grow bags and large pots in a chicken run covered with netting to keep the stink bugs and Japanese beetles out. I do grow some things inside too. It is fun. I will be 76 this month and the grow bags help lift the soil up for me to sit and work on planting and caring for the plants. I look forward to more tips.

[@sbrumfield95]

So glad your channel popped up in my feed. You have the most cost effective and practical ways of gardening. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@AzariahYasharel]

I had to give a thumbs up when you brought out the soldering iron... That's what I use when adding holes to the bottom of my containers.

[@mevsm1]

Thank you so much, now I know where to plant all these potatoes I have. And I just realized these bags can be put on the unutilized slope behind my house, if I just dig a little shelf for each of them.

[@krislarsen6546]

To be more environmentally friendly instead of zip ties you can use twine instead after all you only need to last for a single harvest season after all

[@psfulton414]

The blue bags are hideous. Your ideas are beautiful ,natural and functional. Thanks I will using these ideas this summer.

[@libbyjensen1858]

Burlap tip: a local coffee shop (in the MN, Twin Cities area) gives their burlap sacks away for free. Check with local coffee shops to see if you can get some near you. This is an EXCELLENT video, filled with great techniques! I've used this same method in different areas of my garden; they're the most successful garden areas I have!

[@allicat8943]

The cardboard and burlap!! That'll keep the critters out too👏

[@cherylkygirl7181]

Both will degrade with time to add back to the soil. Worms love the cardboard

[@suecallen2160]

What a nice way to ease into transforming my back yard into a producing garden. I have the IKEA bag and now just need to fill it. My first "bag garden" is going to be near the patio and filled with herbs. Thanks!

[@Goggans]

That’s exciting! If you have a YT video let me know and l will support you. I do a hydroponic garden and it’s been phenomenal. Now I can grow my beets and things on my porch bc of this channel.

[@Jacqueline-es5yb]

My concern always with this sort of idea [as great as it sounds] is what sort of chemicals are leaching out of the plastic which is not designed for this purpose into the soil and consequently into your food?

[@flautalee3090]

“A Garden is a Blank Canvas.” How lovely and true! You are inspiring me to begin growing vegetables! I’ve always loved the gardens I’ve created for our small yard. Ty so much!

[@Mygraciously]

Buy a spaghetti squash. Save some seeds and start planting in early spring. Enjoy squash with Marinara and some sprinkles of Parmasean.

[@cnexpat1009]

i have tons of these ikea bag from amazon in my garden for three years. I use them to transport a fairly large amount of woodchips from a local farm in my little car. And then i left them in a dark useless corner of my veg garden with woodchips in them. three years later, they were all broken. So apparently, they dont weather very well. Just let u guys know this and take this into your buget balance sheet.

[@Fritz0616]

Larry Hall (RIP) has video after video on the kiddie pool method using Walmart mesh bags for grow bags amazing way to grow ..Everyone should look at his channel ..he also tells you how you can reuse the soil as well as making your own soil .

[@nickystripe3303]

I have a Roto molded plastic round stock tank that is 7 feet across. My brother had drilled holes in it for me because I was going to turn it into a round planter. That meant I was going to have to buy a lot of gravel to put in the bottom for drainage like a giant flower pot. After watching this video, I had my husband cut the bottom off the tank. I filled the bottom half with hay and manure from cleaning out our donkey pen. We are going to get garden soil from our local materials yard to fill up the rest. I think I’m going to spread a top layer of either compost or commercial potting soil, but it won’t be nearly as much as I was going to have to buy. I hope my filler is a good idea and will add lots of nutrients.

[@grgustafson1777]

I know this is a year ago, but for anyone reading, add some small limbs/sticks if you have any. They will take up room and eventually break down and add to your soil.

[@LifeIsMessyImLearningAsIGrow]

🌼🌻🐝☀️🌺👨‍🌾 I love your garden!! Such a great inspiration to me as I am just also a gardener and KZbin creator. You put a lot of work and love into growing your garden! All the hard work is worth it to me to get to see the new growth everyday it brings me so much joy! I still have so much to learn and I appreciate your tips, tricks! Please Keep sharing! I would love to learn more about gardening from each other.

[@carol-1-1-1-1]

Great ideas for my balcony garden. Your common sense ideas and easy going style will keep me watching. Thank you.

[@simonesmit6708]

This summer I will be using a bunch of animal mineral bags that are usually thrown away. Free is good and they are made of woven plastic so they drain.

[@sarahhendricks5666]

I am recovering from a total knee replacement, so haven't been gardening much the past few years due to knee pain. I've really missed it! BUT this year, my knee is healed! Hubby and I are looking into what we want to do for a garden this year, and I came upon your video. I am very anxious for us to create a raised garden like yours as we're in our 70's and getting down on the ground isn't quite what it used to be! Thank you for the great idea and the great directions to implementing the ideas!

[@ixobola9650]

Hi Sarah, i don´t know if this helps, but i´ve got severe knee problems also -and instead of bending down or kneeing on the ground i use water or beer boxes to sit on. cardboard glued on top, perhaps a piece of plastic to save it from rain...very sturdy, lightweight and easy to take with you. I hope you recover fast from this surgery!!

[@JohnWKerr]

If you live near a lake, or the ocean, these grow bags could be filled with the seaweed and bracken that wash up on shore after a storm.

[@cherylkygirl7181]

That is a GREAT idea. Lots of nutrients in that.

[@carlawestlund9272]

Thanks John. I'm just a mile away from seaside . Guess I can use my compost to fill it as well

[@AnneluvsKatz]

Excellent idea! I have a few huglkultur raised beds and need more space… perfect!

[@cassiebrown489]

Dog food owners who feed their babies dry food, you can up cycle the bags. Same material as tarp. I just clean and save mine(i buy 25&40# bags) . Potatoes griw great in them. I recycle a lot of things when starting or growing

[@pattibrown1809]

Fantastic ideas Dan! And you're absolutely right-- gardening is an art, there is no limit to what we gardeners can do!!

[@suzyhagerurbangarden2806]

Hi Dan. Fellow gardener. I was buying bags of soil and last year ordered 2 yards delivered. It is so awesome to do.

[@agustinybraitnie-nuestrahu6426]

Thanks for the tips. I’m always looking for more affordable and easier options for planting. Never though of IKEA bags. Thanks!

[@tubthump]

Those IKEA bags are ideal for those that aren't bothered by all the tiny pieces of blue plastic that will forever populate your garden

[@carmellayates2503]

Good Dog you're right I had kept some soil in one of those and it didn't last 1 season a day the plastic bits flaked off all over my small patio garden. I actually had to take my vacuum out to clean it up . Not worth the effort.

[@hmark29]

I love to watch all your informative videos. By the way, you have such a soothing voice you could make money reading stories to relax folks. Thank you for your hard work!

[@Di-mx6tj]

Hello from the UK these ideas are absolutely brilliant especially for me as a first-time Gardner two years down the line and you gave me a lot of inspiration and a lot of good ideas been watching all of your videos especially how to make cheap end rays beds tubs etc thank you so much

[@sullendragon8900]

Chicken feed bags are also this kind of material! It might actually be sturdier, because there's sort of two different layers, but I'm not sure exactly how the ikea bags are made. And dog food bags -- that's where I'm going to start, because a 50lb dog food bag is (somehow) twice as big as a 40lb chicken feed bag. The sun protection is pretty important, though -- I've used them for windbreaks/sun shade around the coop, and they break down after maybe 6-8 months, getting all flaky. Thanks for this idea!

[@mrdinme.4768]

I have been reluctant to “grow”, as I was the labor for my dads garden many decades ago, it stuck with me. The past three years I have tried to grow more than just tomatoes, no success the first two years, last year, did better. Got jalepanos to grow, herbs, planted berries, mints, tomatoes, gotta see how things wintered but finally got something. Going try a bit more this year, this bag idea, great! I have been fighting buying soil, been brewing my own mulch. Still waiting for the snow n ice to melt off. This video, you got a new sub.

[@saintsone7877]

If you have difficulty growing stuff others in your area grow maybe the soil PH is not what it should be. eg, carrots like a sandy soil rather than a rich soft soil only. Hope you have more success this year.

[@carmenpittman8842]

As with everything new there is a learning curve. Don't give up. 😊

[@madhouse8301]

Thanks! Where I live weed block and burlap materials are expensive but ikea bags are only $0.5 each so that really solves a huge problem for me. Much appreciated!

[@DebraBrandon]

This is seriously one of the smartest things I’ve seen. I was so sad about buying them at $60 a piece.

[@kerricorser4562]

I just shared this with a bunch of folks! ❤❤❤

[@laqui3709]

Thanks for this really creative idea, Dan. I love the natural, country look, and the practical aspect of the low cost. I appreciate that you took the time to share your love for gardening with us!

[@MalikaBourne]

I was wondering how I could afford to buy all those bags of dirt for my grow bags on my 6 x6 cement apartment patio. Tah-dah! You saved the best for last. Thank you a bunch of veggies. I have been saving egg shells.

[@lunabeta3516]

Recently started doing chores and discovered someone throws out all the feed bags. I'm not a hoarder but I couldn't see throwing all those out. Something told me I'll need these later. But in my mind, I thought I'd be saving them to put sand or dirt in as a way to keep flood water down. It doesn't flood here. No clue why I thought to save them for that. I'm definitely going to use them for gardening but I'm saving some for back up. I have an awful lot of them and continue to get them. Thank you for the video

[@lornawood3260]

LOL. Great idea! You can also use those to make tote bags, if you’re so inclined!

[@lunabeta3516]

@@lornawood3260 Thank you. Great idea

[@tonyhebert1388]

Nice. I’ve been using 50lbs dog food bags since they now are made of similar to tarps. I started when they were made of paper bags with plastic liners and I use it growing potatoes

[@ScullieDana]

Just watched your cool Idea! As soon as I saw those bags, I wentonikea online and ordered 10 for $.99 each with $5 shipping I spent $15! What a great idea of yours!! Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@Pumpkin061]

I just found your channel and subscribed. I want to thank you for making me excited about being able to garden. Here I thought I had to go buy some pricey raised garden things. I can't wait for Spring

[@plantabundance]

Thank you for subscribing! Glad to have you with us!