Question

I'm starting a gardening club at my school and Im growing Evening Sunflowers among other things. I want to have one sunflower for each classroom in my school. I want to give each teacher a container to decorate in a way to represent their class. I'm trying to figure out the most budget friendly container that will allow the Sunflowers to thrive. Any suggestions?  

Answer 1

How many containers are we talking about? You could ask supermarkets for the black flower buckets they display all the bouquets in; these can be painted white (plastic spray) then decorated with sharpies? Or they could give each child a white label to decorate with name and anything they want and they stick them onto the black pot?  

Comments

@seagraves We have around 30 classrooms. I wasn't sure how big the pots needed to be

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@pulsatile34 well, I’ll guess that the buckets would be great, as the sun flowers will grow very tall and the base needs to be heavy and deep.  supermarkets have spares and if you go to a few different ones, you’ll probably gather enough.  

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@pulsatile34 don't know if your in the UK but if you are Morrisons currently has the flower buckets in for sale 10 for 99p I bought some the other day xx

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@promise72 I'm in the u. s.  

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@pulsatile34  no probs.  

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@seagraves noticed yesterday Morrison’s flower buckets were white.  

Answer 2

Set a competition. Each class has to bring in the biggest recycled plastic container. If loads of them bring in milk bottles then cut about 1" of the bottom, turn upside down and thread a piece of wood through the handles. The bottles need to be back to back. These will form a self-standing planters for other plants.  

Comments

@liveryman5086 that's a cool idea. So you have a picture of that? Or, a key word I could Google?  

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@pulsatile34 couldn't find it as a stand alone but the idea is the same. With my example above the bottom can be used as a water tray. Just pierce some holes in the lids and thread string through for capillary action. The upside down bottles can then sit in the bottom's/water trays. Look up milk bottle planters or gardens on the internet.  

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Cool. Thanks

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Would milk bottles be big enough for sunflowers?  

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@pulsatile34 you can grow loads of different things but I don't think it will give enough support for sunflowers unless you built a wooden frame. My idea was if the children brought in loads of milk bottles or other plastic bottles then show them how to recycle in to planters for your gardening club.  

Answer 3

Recycle plastic bottles, cut the tops off and drill some drainage holes in the bottom. We used the 1. 5 or 2 litre bottles and then the canteen had some small old plates. The pupils decorated the sides of the bottle, looked great.  

Comments

@ash I love this idea, I just wasn't sure if a bottle this size would be big enough.  

Answer 4

Call me stupid but i've never heard of evening sunflowers. where will the sun be?  

Comments

@pennate here's what they look like. My students chose this variety.  

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@pulsatile34 ooh they're beautiful, must look them up xx

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I've not heard of evening ones either. lovely

Answer 5

Whatever container you decide on make sure the there are drainage holes  

Answer 6

Could u check ur local sale site, FB market place or Shpock for old large plastic stacka boxes. I've used a few of those in the past. Agreed with tye last above about drainage. Or dissused water dispenser bottle barrels?  

Answer 7

Plastic four pint milk bottle. Cut the top off and use that as a form of recycling single use plastic. Can also see the roots and not over water

Answer 8

I work at b&q we recycle the basic pots for plants we have to write off. Not every store does it (it depends on what theyve got left) but it's worth popping into your local one telling them you're doing a school project and asking if they have any recyclable pots they can give you

Answer 9

Ask local garden centres to sponsor a container .  

Answer 10

Bnq recycle garden pots maybe your local store may have some for free or tell them it's for a school and they may donate them or ask on your local fb page

Answer 11

I got 10 of these for a pound at Morrisons in flower section

Answer 12

99 Cent Discount Mart ?  

Answer 13

What about big catering tins that veg or baked bans come in from school canteen

Comments

@laic31935 great idea and the tin could be wrapped in paper with the kids names on in the class.  

Answer 14

If you have space old car tyres the kids could paint them then spray varnish 4quid on Amazon the art work makes a lovely colourful playground

Answer 15

Check your local chip shops for the tubs their oil comes in. Usually bucket sized

Answer 16

B+m have nice container

Answer 17

I was looking last wk

Answer 18

Sorry didnt realize ur in us

Answer 19

Don’t forget wooden pallets! So versatile, easy to grow strawberries, small flowers for bees, etc

Answer 20

How about using old decking or wood to make some pots?  

Answer 21

Like this

Answer 22

Old metal filing cabinets turned over and holes drilled for drainage is another free upcycle for planters  

Answer 23

I work in a small convenience store and our cut flower are delivered in buckets with water and we give them away or recycle. Might be worth asking. I have use mine over and over again  

Answer 24

Yogurt pots

Answer 25

Try your school kitchen/cafeteria - many supplies come in larger plastic containers, also ask and builder/decorator or friends with cafe’s or bars

Answer 26

I have loads of pots you can have Whereabouts are you?  

Comments

@lazo7 I'm in Phoenix, AZ

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@pulsatile34 , a little far lol