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I hope I can find some old washers. That is a great idea and they don't look bad. I had not thought of a tub being good for anything so thanks for the tip.
This is a great article as I am always looking for different containers to plant my plants in.
Thanks
Lavina
Thanx. Portability is the big advantage it has over proper greenhouses. If I get sick of where it is, I can move it later on.
About the washing baskets, I don't know why they aren't used by everyone. They are easy to get out of the shell. Just a few bolts & the belt to get off. The belt is probably the trickiest bit but its no real hassle. You have to bear in mind that they drain well so in the greenhouse they are great. Outside in the sun, they are probably best for succulents & the like.
Ian
Hi there,
Although in tropical area I did set up a small plastic house to speed up seedlings and cuttings, I did it even cheaper as I used some old iron bars and covered them with plastic sheets I bought in my local agricultural shop. I also added shading material (don't know the name in English, this kind of soft plastic mesh) so that the place would not be a furnace!
JJ
Good one. I need another one & should follow your example JJ. Its been a battle for space in there sometimes & I've had a few pot-knock tragedies. Over here we call that stuff shade cloth. Imaginative hey?
Ian
Ian. I do have two commercial greenhouses but they are totally non functional at the present. In Alabama you need shade and ventilation to make a greenhouse work.
Thanks so much for the ideas. There is lots I can use to make my greenhouses work better.
Hello Ian. Your green house looks great. I, too, bought a cheap one from eBay as the others were beyond my means.
I found after setting up, that steel posts at the 4 corners make good anchors. Also like you, we had a huge storm with gale force winds to test it and 12 months later after more wind, the green house is still there. I found I had more room if I used the posts as they are in the 4 corners plus 1 each in the middle of the side walls. I use mine for all my seeds, cuttings and at the moment, keeping my Angels out of the weather. The one I bought is 12' long and 7' wide which gives lots of room. I have made shelves that are in the ground and not attached to shadehouse. I can move it all if necessary.
If the plastic cover deteriorates, It can be replaced with either new plastic or just shadecloth.
Certainly a great addition for any garden.
I've seen pictures of old washers used as containers, just never done it myself. and I'm afraid I missed my chance as we recently (a year and a half ago) had to replace our washer. We might have an old oil burner in the basement - I don't suppose that's any good!
Anyway, Ian, I enjoyed this article and the ideas it led to. Thanks again.
I don't know about an oil burner Carrie. To be honest, I am not sure what they are. The councils have clean-ups every six months or so when ppl throw out old washers & stuff. If I see them, I grab them but I have a 4WD with the room & thankfully, still the strength to move them myself.
I am not sure about the US. Maybe there is some way like that you can get them. I saw similar-sized planters last night for only about AU$20.00 but they were plastic, wouldn't have the weight or durability & would break down from UV-exposure eventually. I find that happens with plastic, leading to a few disasters when lips have broken from pots I'm carrying & stuff.
I sell trees in old dog food tins too. Rip off the label, put some holes in the bottom & you have a standard-sized pot that stacks easily, even with a seedling in it. In short, we pay money for rubbish & throw good stuff away.
New to this forum and just lurking and trying to get through all the info. this all started due to trying to find out if Coyote gourds are edible (my daughter said that the Native Americans used to eat them as a staple?). Anyhoo--back on thread-- not only washer drums, don't forget that you could use dryer drums just as well, just a little more disassembly! Plus, they are lighter than washers to put in your car,truck or whatever.
Godfrey
ETA: ps---anyone know if Coyote gourd is edible? thanks :)
