You mean dumpster diving?

>> Most of my big pots come from nursery and Home Depot throw-outs.

>> You mean dumpster diving?

I'm not above that, but I'm not limber enough to get into big dumpsters. Especially, I might not be limber enoguh to climb out!

One nursery thoughtfully put all their empty pots and flats into a separate bin for customers to browse. Home Depot and Lowes sometimes have a rolling rack or cart with that days' throw-out and give-away pots.

I think it's smart of them, because I browse garden departments much more often than I buy anything. But when i scoop up a stack of pots, I feel that I SHOULD make some purchase that I've been deferring.

I get most of my pots from either dumpster diving or from the roadside after someone renews their landscaping.
Bleach solution and a good rinse.

Oh, Rick, we don't actually dive into the dumpsters as that would be illegal and dangerous.
I lean in and s_t_r_e_t_c_h as far as I can reach to get whatever is accessible. If a pot is slightly out of my grasp, a curtain rod adds a bit of length to my arm and has a handy hook to nudge the pots a bit closer.

I was so proud of emptying my pots just the other day. Short lived success. I hang my head in shame.
A friend had a 'plant moving party'; I joined the fun for several hours today. Came home with a carload of plants and the empty pots are full again - but the plants are different!

Muscadines (3)
Blueberry
Perilla (red shiso)
a banana plant, the type that actually makes banana
a ton of NOID mint
Clerodendrum bungei/Mexican Hydrangea
and more.

RickCorey said:>> Most of my big pots come from nursery and Home Depot throw-outs.

>> You mean dumpster diving?

I'm not above that, but I'm not limber enough to get into big dumpsters. Especially, I might not be limber enoguh to climb out!

One nursery thoughtfully put all their empty pots and flats into a separate bin for customers to browse. Home Depot and Lowes sometimes have a rolling rack or cart with that days' throw-out and give-away pots.

I think it's smart of them, because I browse garden departments much more often than I buy anything. But when i scoop up a stack of pots, I feel that I SHOULD make some purchase that I've been deferring.

You tickle me so bad, I am like you it probably ain't happening, just a thought, also there is such a thing as a reacher. Do you have one? Am I putting ideas into your head?
I never see any pots at garden departments, they usually toss the whole plant into the dumpsters. LOL. @green would know.

Yes, green knows lots of free stuff!
Here is the free potting soil, slightly used, from one day's dumpster dive.



That same day I also obtained several half-dead plants, plenty of plastic pots, and was able to give away over 183 plants at my local swap. Not being made of money, my diving skills allow me to be quite generous.

I may not be a strong swimmer, but I am a heck of a diver.

(you go girl)

I had read somewhere that Home Depot had a pot recycle program. You could leave if you had them or take if you needed them. I ask at my Home Depot and the lady looked at me like I was from Mars, lol. Guess I will have to check their dumpster .

Good going, greene! But your friend is a major league enabler!

I did read about the "Dumpster Diving Divas" 10-15 years ago, back in DG. Some of them climbed all the way in, and brought a stepping stool for getting back out

One of the DD Divas warned about some dumpsters that have an "auto-crushing" feature.

Another DDD was scared when a guy walked up to her while she was armpit-deep in a dumpster, fearing security guards. But he gave her a kindly, understanding smile and handed her a dollar, then walked away saying nothing. It took her a long time and a glance at her old, battered dumpster-diving clothes to realize that he thought she was homeless and shopping.

But teetering and reeeeaching sounds smarter. I do that if I can climb up high enough to stick my head in, when no one's watching.

Several moves and several decades ago, I collected dozens of white, heavy-duty 4 gallon tubs from a deli. Those were great pots! But I've moved so often I had to leave all of them behind.

Virginiarose, my best "reacher" is my cane with a curved grip. I just better not drop it!


Catherine mentioned a
>> pot recycle program

Say that carefully, or they may tell you that cannabis is NOT legal in their state!

On Nantucket island, they have a recycling area they call "Take It Or Leave It". I love that name.

Rick, maybe that's why she looked at me so funny.

If you asked about pot recycling in Colorado, they'd probably ask "medical or recreational?"

It always bothers me when I buy anything at a "hydroponics" store. I try to explain that I'm buying pots for tomatoes and they look at me like:

"Yeah, right Mister, unnh-hunnh, suuuure. 'Tomatoes'.
We getta lotta people growing 'tomatoes' here."

RickCorey said:
We getta lotta people growing 'tomatoes' here."

RickCorey said:If you asked about pot recycling in Colorado, they'd probably ask "medical or recreational?"

It always bothers me when I buy anything at a "hydroponics" store. I try to explain that I'm buying pots for tomatoes and they look at me like:

"Yeah, right Mister, unnh-hunnh, suuuure. 'Tomatoes'.
We getta lotta people growing 'tomatoes' here."

Maybe consider buying your pots online. You do not have to explain anything. LOL. Don't forget the tomato seeds, unnh-hunnh, suuuure!!

Tried searching cloning plants on the internet. That's all you get is how to clone cannabis. Is that the only plant people clone, lol. I mean really...

Maybe they are afraid to buy seeds?

Oh may be, never thought of it. You two are cracking me up!!

>> Don't forget the tomato seeds, unnh-hunnh, suuuure!!

Strangely, "collecting" tomato seeds (yes, Solanum lycopersicum!) was a passion of mine for several years.

Can I grow them? Except for cherry tomatoes, barely. Summer days are too cool and summer nights are too cold.

I never knew what my fascination was, until now. I should bring my big jar of tomato seed samplers with me when I protest my innocence.

Now that I think about it, the first jar got so full that I had to split it into two jars.

I'm going to run away before we get sandboxed ... do moderators ever sandbox themselves??

But it does give a whole new meaning to "pot ghetto". Degenerate, aging hippies huddled in back alleys, coughing suspiciously loudly, and then muttering "smooooth".

Nice 'Seed Ghetto' Rick. yes, moderators do get sandboxed and we 'aging hippies' are a little too happy with our Pot Ghettos!