Broken pots aren't all bad!

Discussion in 'Container Gardening' started by BB3, Apr 22, 2025.

  1. BB3

    BB3 Super Gardener

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    You can pay a lot of money for strange shaped pots and pots with holes for plants to poke out of I got them for nothing.
    Think before you dump them. 20250422_114755.jpg 20250422_114958.jpg 20250422_114907.jpg 20250422_114857.jpg 20250422_114820.jpg 20250422_114735.jpg
     
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    • Plantminded

      Plantminded Total Gardener

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      Excellent idea @BB3 :blue thumb:. I'm tempted to smash some this afternoon :biggrin:.
       
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      • BB3

        BB3 Super Gardener

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        I wouldn't go that far!
         
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        • Grandma Sue

          Grandma Sue Gardener

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          Oooo ... nice to see that they are being made useful, but sadly I would shy away from using these as I fell over and badly cracked my forehead open on the edge of a square concrete plant pot 2 yrs ago and know have a scar across my right eyebrow leading to my hairline
           
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          • Plantminded

            Plantminded Total Gardener

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            They can also look good half buried at an angle in a border.
             
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            • CarolineL

              CarolineL Total Gardener

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              I find that the clay pots with broken bits just get worse as the wet and frost get in, so I'm left with shards held together by roots. I haven't found any reliable supplier - they say "frost proof" but they're not.
               
            • BB3

              BB3 Super Gardener

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              I've had some for quite a few years. The ones that last are quite open after the split. This allows for expansion the next time there's a hard frost after a soaking. The ones that crumble just carry on crumbling. I suppose they were the non-'frost-proof' jobs.
               
            • lizzie27

              lizzie27 Super Gardener

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              Glazed pots tend to be more frost-proof than non glazed. Yorkshire pots are also good.
               
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              • Michael Hewett

                Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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                Yes I use them like that too :smile:
                 
              • glosmike

                glosmike Gardener

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                I break em up for crocks for other pots …
                I got a refund from our local gc last week for one I bought in July that fell apart last winter .. well they say they are frost proof !! £18 is £18 !!!
                 
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                • On the Levels

                  On the Levels Super Gardener

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                  We also use old ones that have cracked and in pieces for putting in other pots for drainage. We have never thrown away any broken clay pots. We still have MANY!
                   
                • Goldenlily26

                  Goldenlily26 Super Gardener

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                  I would turn compost bags inside out, cut off the corners diagonally, and use them to line the damaged pots and retain water before abandoning them completely and breaking them up for crocks.But then, my second name is stingy!
                   
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                  • Jungle Jane

                    Jungle Jane Starved Of Technicolor

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                    Turned upside down they can make nice toad houses as well I read somewhere.

                    I have a Toad in my garden but I don't think he lives there.
                     
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                    • noisette47

                      noisette47 Total Gardener

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                      Whichford Pottery! They're eye-wateringly expensive but they really are well-made. My 3 are 35 years old and not a crack or blemish to be seen. The caveat? Because of their 'Ali-baba' shape I use plastic pots as a liner for easy repotting. They've still withstood everything the UK and French climates have thrown at them, though :)
                       
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                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                        We also use broken pots for growing things in. They can look good.
                         
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