[woodburner]

Your local painter/decorator might have bulk size paint pots to get rid of. They might not be too good for planting in (because of paint) but they are very useful around the veg patch.

[Elcie]

Any garden centre would have the water retaining gel/pellets Angel.  You put them into the soil, most usually containers/hanging baskets, and they soak up the water and release it slowly.

Although, in theory, you are meant to water less with them in, it probably just equates to making containers the same as plants growing in the ground, as the containers usually dry out quicker than the ground.

I think you can even buy some compost/soil with the pellets already in but I might be wrong.

[kezlou]

Try your local kallkwik printer shop, or any other one for that matter. I got four huge barrels for free. I also use old bins, milk bottles chopped in half etc. for growing in.

[ANGEL_S]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, they are great. If you have any more let me know. I have mentioned for family and friends to keep me yogurt pots and any trays from meat etc and I have started saving empty toilet rolls for the leeks. Quite sad really excited about all this and not even bought a seed yet,lol.

Kezlou - Are they plastic barrels?

Elcie - Do you just mix the granules into the soil as you are putting it into the container? Or does it go under roots only?

[Elcie]

To be honest I have never used them but my mum used them regularly for the wonderful hanging baskets she used to make.  I am planning on using them in containers this year and believe they just go in with the soil (although check the packet!)

As for seeds - if there is a Dobbies garden centre near you they are 50% off at the moment!  All seeds!

[kezlou]

Yes the barrels are plastic and come with a lid.
Only thing is you will have to give them a good clean out before you can use them.