Cheap and Easy Planters and Plant Stand

As seedlings emerge and their roots outgrow their starter pots, I find myself in massive need of containers.  I've always gardened on apartment balconies and so while decorative for some, a good pot becomes the only ground I can sow and an absolute necessity to ensure I always have home grown herbs and veggies.  A couple of summers ago, I had great luck with my seeds and had 50 basil plants alone!

So earlier this week I found myself down to my last pot with 7 plants still to go.  I visited a local high school plant sale on their last day and so everything was 50% off

Herb Medley $2.50, aw yeah.

And after going up, down, and all around twice- I settled on this recent find.  It's a woven basket discovered at a long abandoned fruit stand.  I'm sure it was once filled to overflowing with wonderful, seasonal treats but it now had a spider living in it.

Lonesome Basket

 I didn't want all the dirt I just bought (less than $4 or FOR FREE outside.  Use a spoon like i do if you no have shovel) to fall through the holes of the open weave so I grabbed some cotton shirts from my box of yucko and lined the bottom of the basket.  I tried to get the sleeves (both long) to lay up the sides which you can also place there as you add the dirt.

Old cotton shirts from the Goodwill Box

First layer- will hold in dirt but allow rainwater to drain.  

Then you just start adding dirt.  Do this over a box top so you can catch the dirt that misses the basket.  It also makes the clean up quicker.

Going up to just above sleeve level.

Then you put your plants in!

I've read that people use chicken wire and moss to make planters but i dont have those items.  i had shirts and a basket already so this cost me the $2.50 for plants and used a small portion of my $3.something bag of dirt.

You know what?  While I'm at it...

Did I tell you about this most amazing planter I rigged out of a chair I found at the dumpster??
It had nasty rotting wicker so I pulled it all off while I was by the trash (and inspecting other goods) to reveal a VERY decent frame.  I had intended on redoing it but as it sat on the balcony, plant season came before refurbishing season.

Chair from Dumpster

I had gone by the drugstore and there were a couple planters I really wanted.  One was shaped like an urn vase with a detachable pedestal and I thought, man I hope I'm here when they're half off.  And a week later I was!

So it turns out it the lip part is wide enough to suspend on the seat frame.
I filled it with dirt and planted little "volunteers" that grow long tendrils to drape over the edge and framework of this wonderful, simple chair.

The volunteers I found growing out of the ground below my mom's plant.  I've seen those cascade down a few feet.

 This is when they were pretty small.  Hopefully I have a picture of them in late summer to compare it!

This would be at about one week's growth.  

 Chair was free, dirt was from a yard, plants were free, and the pot was $3.50

Also, dont be afraid to buy beautiful tea pots because their lids are missing.  This one I used for cilantro:
 I got it for free

37 plants so far, and way more after this weekend's Herb Fest.  

Time to start converting some more planters for the bounty.