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A tip for fellow newbie gardeners - don't leave empty plastic boxes with water in them!

WillowBarkWillowBark Posts: 243
in Fruit & veg
I only started gardening during 2020. First time I have ever had a garden that didn't belong to someone else. Couldn't afford a mini greenhouse or cold frame of any description at the time, so used upturned clear plastic office storage boxes to nurture seedlings (the kind of thing you get from Staples). They worked really well for what I used them for, but I have since found a downside.

Word to the wise, when Winter comes, don't leave them outdoors so that water collects in them! When the water freezes (especially when the plastic has probably already been weakened by months of sun) the plastic will become brittle and shatter. Picked one up today and it disintegrated into shards in my hand. Cheap to replace, but not great for the environment.

Lesson learned, and this year I will, if I use them, be bringing my office storage boxes in before the combination of sun and cold does for them! They weren't designed for this purpose, and it shows. I had been hoping to use them for a few more years whilst I saved up for a more permanent solution, but I will have to take better care of any replacements if I want to do that in future.

Posts

  • WillowBarkWillowBark Posts: 243
    @pansyface Useful to know, thank you.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I regularly lose tap fittings over winter, despite protection over the whole tap.
    It's the same problem with water scarecrows - the only thing that keeps cats out, but I can't use them between October and about March/April. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • jonathan.colejonathan.cole Posts: 221
    You can get self draining taps that won't freeze. Worth keeping in mind if you are replacing or renovating.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    jonathan.cole said:
    You can get self draining taps that won't freeze. Worth keeping in mind if you are replacing or renovating.

    I'd never heard of those. Interesting.
  • MontysGalMontysGal Posts: 70
    WillowBark said:
    I only started gardening during 2020. First time I have ever had a garden that didn't belong to someone else. Couldn't afford a mini greenhouse or cold frame of any description at the time, so used upturned clear plastic office storage boxes to nurture seedlings (the kind of thing you get from Staples). They worked really well for what I used them for, but I have since found a downside.

    Word to the wise, when Winter comes, don't leave them outdoors so that water collects in them! When the water freezes (especially when the plastic has probably already been weakened by months of sun) the plastic will become brittle and shatter. Picked one up today and it disintegrated into shards in my hand. Cheap to replace, but not great for the environment.

    Lesson learned, and this year I will, if I use them, be bringing my office storage boxes in before the combination of sun and cold does for them! They weren't designed for this purpose, and it shows. I had been hoping to use them for a few more years whilst I saved up for a more permanent solution, but I will have to take better care of any replacements if I want to do that in future.
    I did the same, but I drilled holes in the bottom of mine so any water could run out. The ones I bought had lids which were hinged along the centre, so I can prop one side open with a cane for ventilation. They’ve survived the winter and are going strong with my cuttings inside. Hope that helps xx


  • WillowBarkWillowBark Posts: 243
    @MontysGal Ooh, they look good! Mine just had flat lids, so I put the lid on the floor and upturned the boxes. Water collected in the upturned bottoms of the boxes and froze there. I think I might have to get some of your type and do as you did - holes in the bottom and then I can open the top as necessary. Some of mine did get a bit too hot sometimes, so this definitely looks like a good solution to both problems. Thank you for the suggestion!
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