Blogs → Everything Almanac →
Plastics . . .
by Martie Majoros
Plastics . . .
This is the time of year when I take that one word of advice to heart. In the spring, when I start to think about gardening, my mind wanders to the wonders of plastic. In preparation of my otherwise organic garden, plastic is my friend.
About a month ago, I began to collect plastic salad containers to use as mini-greenhouses, even picking a few out of the recycling bin at work. (It's a reach, not a dive.) For starting seeds, the containers with black bottoms and snug-fitting clear plastic lids are ideal. I can plant several seeds in one container and prop them on my windowsill. The black bottom holds the heat during the day, and at night, I can snap on the lids to reserve some of the heat. The portable greenhouses can be easily moved to different locations throughout the house to take advantage of the sun.
When I'm ready to plant, I use sheets of black plastic as mulch in the garden. Weighted down with rocks so it won't blow away, the plastic holds moisture and helps to heat the soil. Although hay or newspaper may be more aesthetically pleasing (and more organic), nothing prevents weeds from taking over like black plastic. I admit that it is a bit disconcerting at the beginning of the season, before any plants have popped up, to look out over a sea of black plastic. But I know that by midsummer, the plastic will be barely visible underneath the deep green leaves and vines of beans, lettuce, peas, chard and tomatoes.
At the end of the season, I'll stack the mini-greenhouses and store them for next year. In a few seasons, the plastic mulch will be shredded or torn and no longer suitable as mulch. But, cut into strips, it will be ideal for staking up plants like delphiniums or tomatoes. And the cycle continues.
Reader Comments
Comment from Bill Nellums on April 23, 2008
Hi Martie, I did the same thing using plastic containers, accept mine didn't have lids.I put mine under a small 40 watt light and watched them grow.I started at the end of March,beginning of April.Now I'm waiting for the first week in May to plant.Got my ground ready.All I need to do is make my furrows and plant.Have a good summer.
Comment from Peter Rukavina on April 24, 2008
That's an inspired idea, to use plastic salad containers as mini-greenhouses: they're the perfect form-factor.
Comment from G M A Toupin on April 26, 2008
That's a cool idea, you can also use big plastic pop cans as a mini greenhouse too.
Comment from Shirley Gillian on June 12, 2008
I save the plastic containers that I get from my local food store, the ones that Bar-B-Q whole chickens come in, they have black bottoms and high lids, and make great mini-greenhouses. Got to try the soda cans, sounds like a good idea. Thanks
Registered users can add comments.
Registration is free, and just takes a moment.
Login or Register.