Freebie hanging baskets

[Feygan]

Had a small brainwave when passing T***o today. They were clearing out some old trolleys, baskets and such. Just on the offchance I asked if I could take a few baskets for myself. They were happy to let me have five of the normal metal baskets.

Once home, simply throw in some plant fleece covering, old sheets etc for compost support and you have a full sized hanging basket. Would also work with the plastic kind, and more likey to get ahold of them since they would be prone to breaking more often.

Means I get to have a nice bunch of strawberries and such next year. Frined showed me how many fruits happily grow in baskets and you get a much higher yeild due to less pests getting to them, and less rotting due to sitting on wet soil.

[Thomzo]

What a good idea. Worth trawling round the back of supermarkets for.

Another idea for hanging baskets is lampshades. The wire type that you cover with fabric. You can leave the fabric on for a funky look and punch holes in it.

You can buy new chains for hanging baskets at garden centres.

Zoe

[Tigerhair]

Great idea!!!

[ina]

I could do with one for potatoes at harvest time... Or for collecting stones when I'm working in the garden. Won't make me go to T***s though, just on the offchance of getting a free basket!

[Thomzo]

A friend of mine works for the environment agency. They are always pulling trolleys and baskets out of rivers and streams. The stores won't take them back for hygiene reasons. You could try calling your local office of the environment agency and see if they can help you.

Zoe

[ina]

Now that's an idea... Cheers!

[Thurston Garden]

I use these baskets when harvesting root crops - I wash them with the hose, letting the water and muck run right through the baskets.

Good idea about the hanging baskets (which, sadly are banned here ) but they would be good for tumbling cherry tomatoes in the tunnel

[fenwoman]

you can also use old bird cages. The plastic bottoms always crack and they are then dumped. Turn upside down and they make nice baskets. I have a couple of round ones with stands and I put the upended cage on the stand to make an interesting planter. Put a black bin bag inside and cut slits in and you can have a tower of flowers. Small tyres can also be hung on an old nail on a wall of a shed, barn etc. Fill the bottom half with compost and plant. They look really nice, especially if you paint them with spare paint remants first.