[paintedlady]

Propagator lids - if you get stuck you can use clear plastic bags (put the whole tray in) or clingfilm, or sheets of clean glass until you get a supply in  

[DD.]

I've posted this before, but worth a repeat, I use re-sealable plastic bags, these can be inflated to give air space and also re-used, of course.



IF you buy meat from a supermarket, the meat trays can be used as propagator lids.

[farmersue]

And don't forget Richy's paper pots. We made loads last year and they worked brilliantly.

[noshed]

I get the people at work to save the plastic boxes you get tomatoes and plums in at the supermarket. They are nice and deep and have holes in already.
For seed trays and inserts I think Wilcos are the best. Don't buy the ultra-cheap flimsy seed trays though, they are hard to move about when they're full of compost.

[Steve.P]

Another cheep way is to use the cardboard middles from toilet rolls. I cut them in half and fill with potting compost. Then put a seed in each. When the time comes, ther is no mess, just dibble a hole in the earth and drop the whole thing in.

[Minty]

Another cheep way is to use the cardboard middles from toilet rolls. I cut them in half and fill with potting compost. Then put a seed in each. When the time comes, ther is no mess, just dibble a hole in the earth and drop the whole thing in.

That's what we are planning on doing next year as we have saved loads.

We also get a load whenever we visit a garden center as they are usually in a box near the exit.

[Kentish Karl]

Woolworth's selling off 3 seed tray's for 25p today (marked up at 97p) + 20%. I brought 5 sets today for 87p.

[beansticks]

You will be hard pressed to beat Wilkinsons,and their 80mm black square pots are excellent value,i am still using the ones i bought 4 years ago

[Kentish Karl]

I've been to two Wilkies stores during the last couple of weeks and neither has had any gardening materials in stock.

[garddwr]

I've been to two Wilkies stores during the last couple of weeks and neither has had any gardening materials in stock.

me too,its because its Christmas time and they have all the decerations up,but come January time they will have a load of gardening things in.And they stay in until mid October Halloween time.

[Hey Jude]

Digger, your interpretation of recycling is perfect!! I shall be visiting my local Wyevale tomorrow to do my bit for the environment!

[richyrich7]

Digger, your interpretation of recycling is perfect!! I shall be visiting my local Wyevale tomorrow to do my bit for the environment!

Ask before you take, else taking some ones rubbish is theft you don't want your collar felt for a 1p pot  

[Hey Jude]

Point taken Richyrich.

[Roll Roll]

Wilkos every time. There "segmented" trays i find wont take the weight when full, and are very difficult to move, also when it comes time for potting on i find it difficult to remove the seedlings in them without causing damage. Am i doing somthing wrong?

[paintedlady]

You mean the black inserts you put into seed trays (that makes it easier to carry around)?  Wilkos ones are very flimsy and I think are meant to be used once (they easily split if manhandled) but you can re-use them if you are careful.  There are some which are a thicker plastic and much easier to handle, but are (obviously) more expensive.

As for removing, I had the same problem but there is a knack.  By accident some seedlings had got a little pot bound (didn't have time to plant them out earlier) and I found it much easier to push the root ball out from underneath while using the other hand to tease the plant out    The delay did not affect the growth of the plant, if anything, seemed to be stronger for it - sometimes I think we get too impatient to put things in the ground.