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ever feel like plastic pots just pile up
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and take over your garden Before you
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toss them wait Smart gardeners never
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throw these away because they're packed
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with hidden potential Stick around and
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I'll show you 15 clever ways to
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repurpose plastic pots saving you money
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time and hassle in the
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garden One seed starting and propagation
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Plastic pots are ideal for seed starting
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and propagation because they are readily
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available inexpensive can be easily
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cleaned and sterilized retain moisture
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consistently and allow for good drainage
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when properly perforated making them a
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reliable option for managing young
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seedlings throughout their early growth
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stages Two transplanting and hardening
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off New plants need to adjust to outdoor
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conditions gradually Plastic pots make
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it easy to move them in and out without
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disturbing their roots Plastic pots are
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considered good for transplanting and
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hardening off plants because they are
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lightweight readily available allow for
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easy root removal without damaging the
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root ball and can be easily handled when
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gradually exposing young seedlings to
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outdoor conditions during the hardening
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off process Third root ball protection
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Plastic pots are good for root ball
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protection because they provide a stable
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and controlled environment for root
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growth Their smooth interior prevents
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roots from getting damaged or stuck
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making transplanting easier Unlike clay
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or ceramic plastic doesn't crack easily
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ensuring the root system remains
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undisturbed They also retain moisture
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better preventing roots from drying out
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too quickly Plastic offers insulation
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against extreme temperatures protecting
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roots from heat and cold stress Being
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lightweight and durable they allow for
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easy movement without disturbing the
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root ball Additionally plastic pots can
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be gently squeezed or cut for easier
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transplanting minimizing root
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disturbance Fourth organized plant
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labeling Plastic pots are good for
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organized plant labeling because they
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provide a smooth durable surface where
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labels can easily stick or be written on
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Their uniform shape and size make it
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simple to arrange and categorize plants
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Many plastic pots come with built-in
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label slots or allow for the attachment
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of tags without damage Since they are
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weatherresistant labels remain legible
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for longer without fading or peeling due
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to moisture or sunlight exposure Plastic
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pots also make it easier to reposition
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plants without disturbing the labeling
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system ensuring consistency in nurseries
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gardens or research settings Their
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lightweight nature allows for effortless
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rearrangement while keeping plant
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identification intact
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Fifth plant division and sharing Got
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extra plants Divide them and use plastic
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pots to share with friends neighbors or
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even sell at a local plant swap Plastic
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pots are good for plant division and
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sharing because they are lightweight
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durable and easy to handle during the
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process Their flexibility allows for
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gentle removal of plants without
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damaging the roots making division
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smoother They come in various sizes
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providing the right space for divided
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plants to establish new root systems
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Plastic pots retain moisture well
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helping newly divided plants recover
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from transplant shock They are also cost
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effective making them ideal for sharing
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plants with friends family or gardening
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groups Their sturdy structure ensures
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plants remain protected during transport
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reducing the risk of root disturbance or
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damage Six frost and weather protection
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When temperatures drop unexpectedly a
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simple plastic pot can act as an instant
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mini greenhouse to shield delicate
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plants from frost Plastic pots are good
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for frost and weather protection because
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they act as a barrier against extreme
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temperatures helping to insulate plant
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roots from sudden cold snaps or heat
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waves Unlike ceramic or terracotta
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plastic does not crack in freezing
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conditions ensuring the container
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remains intact and protective Its
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non-porous nature retains warmth better
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reducing the risk of root damage from
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frost Plastic pots also prevent
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excessive moisture loss during hot or
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windy weather keeping soil condition
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stable Their lightweight design allows
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for easy relocation to sheltered areas
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when extreme weather is expected
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offering additional protection for
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sensitive plants Seventh pest control
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barrier Plastic pots can be used as a
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pest control barrier by placing them
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around plants to create a physical
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shield that keeps pests away To do this
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you can cut the bottom off a plastic pot
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and place it around the base of the
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plant This creates a barrier that
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prevents insects like snails slugs or
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certain rodents from reaching the plant
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You can also use smaller plastic pots
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with the top facing downward to cover
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the plant during vulnerable stages
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protecting it from flying pests or
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ground dwelling insects Some gardeners
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also bury the edges of the plastic pot
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into the soil to make it more difficult
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for pests to crawl underneath Plastic
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pots can also help limit the spread of
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pests by containing them to a small area
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making it easier to spot and address any
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infestations Eight portable shade for
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sensitive plants Too much sun Use a
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bigger plastic pot to create shade for
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young or heat sensitive plants Perfect
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for scorching summer days Plastic pots
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can be used as a portable shade for
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sensitive plants by placing them over or
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around the plant to provide temporary
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relief from excessive sunlight One
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common method is to cut the bottom off a
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larger plastic pot and invert it over a
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delicate plant creating a makeshift
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greenhouse effect while still allowing
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air flow You can also use a plastic pot
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with a larger opening as a canopy by
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placing it slightly above the plant to
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filter light and reduce direct exposure
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to the sun This method is especially
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useful for young or newly transplanted
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plants that need protection from harsh
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midday heat Additionally plastic pots
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can be moved easily allowing you to
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adjust the level of shade depending on
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the plant's needs throughout the day or
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season Nine DIY tree guards Protect your
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young trees from hungry animals and
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accidental damage from lawnmowers by
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repurposing plastic pots as tree guards
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Plastic pots can be used as DIY tree
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guards by cutting them in half or
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creating a slit down the side then
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wrapping them around the base of young
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trees This provides protection from
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animals like deer rabbits or small
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rodents that may chew on the bark or
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damage the tree By securing the pot
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around the tree it forms a protective
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barrier that deters pests from reaching
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the trunk If using a whole pot simply
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cut the bottom off and place it around
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the tree bearing the edges slightly in
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the soil to anchor it in place The
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plastic helps shield the tree from
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physical damage caused by wildlife and
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can also protect against weeds growing
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too close to the trunk Additionally
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plastic pots are durable lightweight and
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easy to move making them a
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cost-effective option for protecting
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trees 10 Self-watering
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planters Heading out of town Convert an
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old plastic pot into a self-watering
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planter to keep your plants hydrated
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while you're away Plastic pots can be
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used as self-watering planters by
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creating a simple system that allows
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water to be absorbed from a reservoir
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beneath the soil To do this place a
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smaller plastic pot or container inside
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a larger one leaving space at the bottom
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for water to collect Make a few small
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holes in the bottom of the smaller pot
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to allow water to seep up into the soil
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through capillary action The larger pot
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serves as the reservoir holding water
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while the smaller pot holds the plant
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This setup ensures that the plant can
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absorb water as needed without the risk
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of overwatering Additionally you can
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create a wick system using a piece of
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fabric or rope that connects the bottom
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of the inner pot to the water reservoir
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helping to draw moisture up into the
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soil over time This method helps
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maintain consistent moisture levels and
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reduces the frequency of watering 11th
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Vertical gardening and wall planters
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Short on space Use plastic pots to
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create a vertical garden Perfect for
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balconies patios or small yards Plastic
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pots can be used for vertical gardening
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and wall planters by securing them to a
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vertical structure like a fence wall or
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a customuilt frame You can drill holes
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in the pots and attach them with screws
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or use zip ties to secure them to the
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surface For a more creative approach
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plastic pots can be hung on a horizontal
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rail or suspended using sturdy twine or
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chains To make a wall planter system you
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can stack multiple pots on top of each
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other creating a cascading effect for
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plants Another option is to cut the
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bottoms off some of the pots and mount
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them sideways against the wall creating
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pockets for plants to grow in a vertical
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arrangement Plastic pots are lightweight
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and easy to work with making them ideal
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for small spaces patios or balconies
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where horizontal space is limited This
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setup allows you to grow herbs flowers
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or small vegetables in a compact
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organized way 12th Hanging basket liners
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Extend the life of your hanging baskets
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by using plastic pots as liners It keeps
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them from drying out too quickly Plastic
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pots can be used as hanging basket
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liners by cutting them to fit the size
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of the hanging basket You can cut the
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pot vertically and then place it inside
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the basket to line it ensuring that the
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cut edges face inward and provide a
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sturdy foundation Alternatively if the
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plastic pot is large enough you can
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simply remove the bottom and place it
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inside the hanging basket leaving the
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top edges of the pot exposed the plastic
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helps retain moisture and keeps the soil
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in place while preventing it from
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spilling out of the basket You can also
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poke small holes in the sides of the pot
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to allow for proper drainage and air
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flow ensuring that your plant's roots
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are healthy This method is particularly
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helpful for plants that need consistent
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moisture retention or for those that may
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otherwise have soil fall through the
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basket's gaps 13th Garden Tool and
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Supply Organizer Plastic pots can be
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used as garden tool and supply
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organizers by repurposing them to hold
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small items like gloves hand tools seeds
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or markers Simply cut the top portion of
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the pot to create a container then place
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it in a shed garage or designated garden
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space These pots can be stacked or
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arranged side by side for easy access to
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different tools and supplies The
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lightweight nature of plastic makes them
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easy to move around and the durable
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material holds up well against wear and
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weather You can label each pot for
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specific tools such as one for pruning
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shears another for triels and another
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for small bags of fertilizer or soil
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amendments Plastic pots are great for
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organizing small frequently used items
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and keeping them within easy reach while
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you work in the garden 14 Compost and
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soil mixing bins Why buy expensive
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mixing bins when you have free ones Use
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plastic pots to blend compost soil or
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even store mulch Plastic pots can be
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used as compost and soil mixing bins by
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cutting them to create larger open top
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containers You can use a larger pot as a
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bin to mix compost materials adding
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organic waste leaves and other
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compostable items and stirring regularly
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The plastic helps keep the materials
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contained preventing them from spilling
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out For soil mixing you can use plastic
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pots to combine different types of soil
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compost and other amendments for a
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specific blend The pots are easy to
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handle and their wide opening allows for
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easy mixing For better air flow and
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drainage you can poke a few holes in the
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sides or bottom of the pot This makes
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them ideal for creating small batches of
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soil mixes or compost in a controlled
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easy to manage environment especially
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for gardeners with limited space 15th
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DIY bird feeder or water station Give
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back to nature Transform old plastic
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pots into bird feeders or water stations
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Your garden wildlife will thank you
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Plastic pots can be used as DIY bird
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feeders or water stations by turning
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them into simple functional containers
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For a bird feeder you can fill a plastic
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pot with bird seed and hang it using
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twine or a sturdy string You can make
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small holes around the top edge of the
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pot to insert small sticks or dowels
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which act as perches for the birds
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Alternatively you can cut the sides of
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the pot to create small openings where
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the birds can easily access the seeds
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For a water station simply fill the pot
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with water and place it on a stable
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surface or suspend it from a hook To
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prevent the water from spilling or
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evaporating too quickly you can line the
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pot with stones or gravel to help
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stabilize the water level This provides
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a simple affordable way to offer both
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food and water to birds in your garden
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And there you have it 15 brilliant ways
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to reuse plastic pots instead of
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throwing them away Which idea was your
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favorite or do you have a genius plastic
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pot hack of your own Drop it in the
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comments below If you found this video
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helpful don't forget to hit that like
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button and subscribe for more smart
13:25
gardening tips See you next time and I'm
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sure you're going to enjoy this next
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video on best 15 must grow perennial
13:32
vegetables to harvest year after year
