Spray the outside of the planter with Pam cooking spray,it will keep the ants away.I do thi on my humming bird feeder every year,it work wonderfully well.
I’ve watched many videos on the dollar tree planters and I like your methods best. Creating alternate drainage holes and adding the sponges should help the soil to retain moisture through those blazing hot summer days. I also like that you’re not cutting or drilling into the pots, which are thin and can easily crack. I think this will extend the life of the individual pots through the years. Thanks for the great video!
I don't have the soldering tool you are using but started using my woodburning tool several years ago for putting holes in anything plastic. Heat works so much more efficiently over drilling when you are working with plastic. Although I have purchased 3 GreenStock vertical planters I still use my dollar tree ones for herbs, short flowers and strawberry plants. I have found that placing a large rock on the top of the dollar tree planter keeps the stack from blowing over although I don't stack mine over 4 or 5 high and I purchased an extra GreenStock lazy susan base for the dollar tree planters so I can rotate them to receive equal sun exposure.
For stacks on a hard surface such as a deck fill a large pot (use old potting soil to save $). This will do several things: A place for your rod to stabilize/The stacks will not dry out as fast/Gives you more height/Plant sweet potato vine or something trailing in big pot makes it even prettier/saves your deck from stains/ You can rotate the pot for sun exposure if need be. Also I fill my entire stackable pot with soil to give roots more room to grow and to retain moisture. I have a stack I leave vacant at beginning of the season to use for volunteer plants I dig up or when I have one or two bedding plants left over. It then becomes my emergency stash when I need a plant to fill in someplace.
Having done these many times…it would probably help filling and planting each level first then assemble! In southern climates they do not last long due to sun exposure. You might get two summers. So something to think about.
I live in South Florida. And it barely lasted one season in the sun. You might be better off planting semi shade tolerant stuff in those so they're not sitting in full sun everyday. Great idea!
@sherrycornelius1538 I know plastic in and of itself is not safe, however, according to US standard for plastic use it is food safe. About as safe as the reusable tupperware type dishes. And according to DT website they are food safe and microwave safe. I say this because there are people starting gardens on decks, balconies, and patios and this is all they can afford. If you start plants in anything other than soil blocks you're using plastic. And even then they're sitting in plastic trays.
Just get a straight and robust stick from the yard. I have a couple of acres so they are pretty easy to find. I use them for rustic fences and rustic outdoor stairs as well. Just zip them to that instead of having to go buy them. I take some and make a pointed edge with lopers or garden shears on one end. I use the rubber mallet to pound them in the dirt and there you go. Easy squeezy and freezy :)
Love the idea. If any one has a store called Daiso near them, they also sell those green stakes at much lesser price than the big box store along with other garden goodies.
I love this idea, and the pencil like hole in a water jug would work great in my regular garden; I have no idea how to do irrigation……. but this does save me a lot of hassle ! Thanks ; )
You could also use something to fasten the 2 support poles to your raised garden bed sides in the corner on each side and then zip tie the tower to them. Nothing will knock it over then! Just a thought!🤔 God Bless!
Green garden stakes are also sold at your local Family farm and home or Tractor supply place. Also they do have metal in them but it's more like a hollow metal straw.
I saw this stack idea in a gardening catalog a couple years back. They wanted a phenomenal amount of dollars for this same idea. I am headed to my Dollar Tree to see if they have the 3 in 1 pots for sale. Thanks, Zen Gardener!.
I bought some stackable pots. Glad i have not made holes yet! This is a great idea as heat can kill plants in small containers. Are you putting any holes in the bottom pot??
I would have setup each tray and filled it with soil and plants before building the stack. I would likely have also filled the top tray on place since you are connecting the stakes to it.
Zip tying these to something is such a good idea. I was wanting to use these on my porch where I can't drive a stick into the ground but I can zip tie it to my railing.
I wonder if a 2 liter pop bottle cut in half would essentially fit over top of these to provide the shelter from frost potentially … then you could remove the cap on one end and you could modify the bottom end and create some kind of small opening for that one… just a thought.
I use Tara sorb and it's the stuff in diapers. We use it on my DOT jobs when we landscape bridges and cell towers and any other places that don't have irrigation spect in. It only takes a little bit so don't overdo it
Nice video! However, have you appreciated the large drainage holes in those black plastic shrub containers? Pros seem to use 4 "much bigger drainage" holes. Just a thought.
One of the best bonsai instructors is esei-en (Bjorn). He has an entire course on mastering bonsai and has a ton of free content on how to grow. I would start with juniper as it’s easy to do and very forgiving of beginner mistakes. Happy gardening
A little FYI. The cheap plastic containers are Not Tupperware…which is quality and costly. I appreciate the stabilizers and sponge idea, last year was so hot I lost all my strawberries!
I had bought the expensive tri-pots on Amazon and planted green beans in them on the front porch after the rabbits kept eating them dow to the ground when I planted them in the garden.
Hi, about to get this project started (need to get the soldering iron since I lost my wood burning tool) and I have a few questions since you’ve already had yours up for a few weeks now! How is the irrigation system you created working? Do all the plants at the bottom get their water only from the drip from above? , or is the drip just supplemental ? Also, does the lack of drain holes on the bottom seem to have any affect? Or does the excess water drip out easily? I live in MA where the weather varies wildly, and we just had a HUGE downpour this past week (now at a nice bright sunny warm 73 lol) and I’m worried that there won’t be sufficient drainage. Thanks for your time!
Drill a hole in the bottom of the bottom 4 or 5 pots and drive a stake through. Then you don't have to put the steak on the outside and use zip ties. The stake through the center of the bottom four or five pots will stabilize the tower and you can still use the 1 gallon water jug at the top
Do you put dirt in the middle or do you try to leave that open for water? I’m guessing dirt or it would all wash back into it? Also, do you poke holes in the bottom tray in the same location in the others as well?
This might be a great idea if you’re trying to grow strawberries inside… But outdoors with sitting water like that, be ready for a lot of mosquitoes! I know, because I did something similar to this with a self watering container, and those striped banded Chinese mosquitoes were just pouring out of it all summer.maybe it’s just a Pennsylvania thing? But I can’t do this.
How does the gallon water gets to the bottom tray if no hole in the center of the trays, it will take time to fill upto the 1/2 inch side holes before the last tray gets water?
Why not use a roll of fiber wallboard tape? Adhesive on one side, you could put a strip to close off each 'pot' and hold (most) of the soil in the plant area -- leaving the center 'water reservoir' most empty?
I would have liked to see how well the watering really works. So, the gallon jug will leech to the bottom layers?? I wouldn't think so in one that tall!! You'll have to over water the first few layers. As long as the soil is absorbing water, it won't leech to the next layer. Each layer will need to saturate before dripping into the next. What keeps dirt from blocking the holes? I thought you were keeping the plants in their own pots, that might work, the bottom layer will leak out excess water though. This might work for 3 layers, maybe 4 tops!! I just think in time, you'll be watering each plant anyway.
I haven't seen those stackable planters in dollar trees around me. Has anyone found a similar replacement in a dollar store? I'm trying to prevent getting an expensive stackable planter and I'm close to trying a set up with plastic milk crates again >.> Actually I might just try that. But your help is appreciated "-)
@@Joey3paws a PVC pipe with small holes could be used. And run down the center. Also plugged at the bottom. A narrow measuring stick could be put in the pipe and as it lowers it will gauge how much water is left. And tell you how much or when you need to refill the pipe. I've seen videos of that system.
Do you think the plastic in these pots is “safe” for gardening. No leaching toxic chemicals? Just curious since they are cheap and likely made in China. I wonder about stuff like that.
Spray the outside of the planter with Pam cooking spray,it will keep the ants away.I do thi on my humming bird feeder every year,it work wonderfully well.
Great tip!
Seriously? I have to try that! Thanks!
Now that’s a garden hack. Better than this video of the same ol’ done by a different guy.
Cinnamon works also
Sprinkling cinnamon works also.
😳😳 Look at the Bonsai Trees… WoW 🤩
It’s a fun hobby anyone can do…
Yes!!! So talented 😇
I'm wanting to try growing a bonsai again. I would like to try to grow a bonsai key lime tree, if I could find one@ZenGardenOasis.
I’ve watched many videos on the dollar tree planters and I like your methods best. Creating alternate drainage holes and adding the sponges should help the soil to retain moisture through those blazing hot summer days. I also like that you’re not cutting or drilling into the pots, which are thin and can easily crack. I think this will extend the life of the individual pots through the years. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks so much and happy gardening….
Great video. Thank you.
I don't have the soldering tool you are using but started using my woodburning tool several years ago for putting holes in anything plastic. Heat works so much more efficiently over drilling when you are working with plastic. Although I have purchased 3 GreenStock vertical planters I still use my dollar tree ones for herbs, short flowers and strawberry plants. I have found that placing a large rock on the top of the dollar tree planter keeps the stack from blowing over although I don't stack mine over 4 or 5 high and I purchased an extra GreenStock lazy susan base for the dollar tree planters so I can rotate them to receive equal sun exposure.
Happy gardening
I bought the sponges, and they are perfect. Also, use the laundry bags they have over the Dollar Tree towers they fit perfectly.
For stacks on a hard surface such as a deck fill a large pot (use old potting soil to save $). This will do several things: A place for your rod to stabilize/The stacks will not dry out as fast/Gives you more height/Plant sweet potato vine or something trailing in big pot makes it even prettier/saves your deck from stains/ You can rotate the pot for sun exposure if need be. Also I fill my entire stackable pot with soil to give roots more room to grow and to retain moisture. I have a stack I leave vacant at beginning of the season to use for volunteer plants I dig up or when I have one or two bedding plants left over. It then becomes my emergency stash when I need a plant to fill in someplace.
Having done these many times…it would probably help filling and planting each level first then assemble! In southern climates they do not last long due to sun exposure. You might get two summers. So something to think about.
Thanks for that info. I was wondering about the UV resistance of this plastic and whether it would be cost-effective.
Happy gardening…
I live in South Florida. And it barely lasted one season in the sun. You might be better off planting semi shade tolerant stuff in those so they're not sitting in full sun everyday.
Great idea!
In Florida's summers, plants should be only out in the morning hours til 10 am, and after 5pm.
I totally agree about filling and planting first. That's exactly how I've been doing. No need to stabilize them. 😊
Maybe fill the planters before stacking them would work better
Agreed….
These r not food grade pots fine for flowers
@sherrycornelius1538 I know plastic in and of itself is not safe, however, according to US standard for plastic use it is food safe. About as safe as the reusable tupperware type dishes. And according to DT website they are food safe and microwave safe. I say this because there are people starting gardens on decks, balconies, and patios and this is all they can afford. If you start plants in anything other than soil blocks you're using plastic. And even then they're sitting in plastic trays.
Damn it, LOL...✌
@@sherrycornelius1538 What if thats all you have, and can't plant in the ground? I am all about Survival, a lot of food in a small area, perfect...✌
Nice. I must add that I love those Bonsai trees on the back shelves.🙂
I have to try the strawberry tree. I don't a lot of space. Thank for idea lesson ❤
You’re welcome 😊
Just get a straight and robust stick from the yard. I have a couple of acres so they are pretty easy to find. I use them for rustic fences and rustic outdoor stairs as well. Just zip them to that instead of having to go buy them. I take some and make a pointed edge with lopers or garden shears on one end. I use the rubber mallet to pound them in the dirt and there you go. Easy squeezy and freezy :)
Just stumbled upon your channel, your bonsai trees are gorgeous! 😍
Thanks so much! 😊
I just bought some of those pots yesterday and was trying to determine how I could effectively "irrigate" them. Thank you!
You are so welcome! Happy gardening
Great presentation, loaded with many good ideas. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Happy gardening
You can also sew up a cover using row cover fabric for frost.
Love the idea. If any one has a store called Daiso near them, they also sell those green stakes at much lesser price than the big box store along with other garden goodies.
Also purchase online as well….happy gardening
I love this idea, and the pencil like hole in a water jug would work great in my regular garden; I have no idea how to do irrigation……. but this does save me a lot of hassle ! Thanks ; )
Happy gardening
You could also use something to fasten the 2 support poles to your raised garden bed sides in the corner on each side and then zip tie the tower to them. Nothing will knock it over then! Just a thought!🤔 God Bless!
That's a great idea! Happy gardening…
Green garden stakes are also sold at your local Family farm and home or Tractor supply place. Also they do have metal in them but it's more like a hollow metal straw.
I saw this stack idea in a gardening catalog a couple years back. They wanted a phenomenal amount of dollars for this same idea. I am headed to my Dollar Tree to see if they have the 3 in 1 pots for sale. Thanks, Zen Gardener!.
I just checked my local store and they were out. If you order from DTs website they’ll ship it to your local store.
They had these larger ones last year at mine, but they've made them tiny this year... So much for stacking the old ones higher...
@@kinamonsterrawrat my store too unfortunately
@@kinamonsterrawrDollar Tree makes them in both sizes, the small and large.
Recently, I saw those clear domes at my local Dollar Tree, but they were a bit larger.
Might be a tight fit…..smaller ones work best….happy gardening
You should leave the strawberry crown above the soil level, bury only the roots.
I really like your idea. I will be using mine, I bought a case of them and didn't have great results. But I will try it your way, Thank you!
Happy gardening
Would wool work in place of the sponges?
I think it would.
Awesome! Thanks 😊
I bought some stackable pots. Glad i have not made holes yet! This is a great idea as heat can kill plants in small containers. Are you putting any holes in the bottom pot??
Yes it would flood the bottom one if not. Happy gardening…
Thanks for the tips and complete set up on this system.
Glad it was helpful! Happy gardening
Are you single? 😂😂😂 I love all that you’re doing and aspire to creating beautiful areas as you have. One area at a time! Hello from CT!
I have a wife from Japan where they have truly mastered the art of gardening….my efforts are but a shadow of their perfection.
I have those vertical containers, thank you so much for a great tips and idea.
Glad it was helpful! Happy gardening …
I like your greenhouse did you make it yourself?
Yes the polycarbonate panels came from greenhouse megastore and lumber from lowes. I took me a couple weeks as it was a one man build. Happy gardening
I would have setup each tray and filled it with soil and plants before building the stack. I would likely have also filled the top tray on place since you are connecting the stakes to it.
Love your’s bonsái trees ❤❤❤❤❤
It’s a fun hobby. Cheers
Zip tying these to something is such a good idea. I was wanting to use these on my porch where I can't drive a stick into the ground but I can zip tie it to my railing.
I wonder if a 2 liter pop bottle cut in half would essentially fit over top of these to provide the shelter from frost potentially … then you could remove the cap on one end and you could modify the bottom end and create some kind of small opening for that one… just a thought.
That is what I do, pop bottles, jugs, any type of clear container instead of wasting money and creating more waste, I always try to recycle and reuse!
Great idea. Gallon water jugs too. Happy gardening
This is so smart! I'm going to do this!
Happy gardening….
I'm interested in using these stackable containers to plant bush beans. Would you still use sponges? Same drainage hole placement?
It depends on rainfall amounts in your area. Most likely yes
This was so helpful!! Thank you!! I'm definitely subscribing!!
Thanks for subbing! Happy gardening…..
Yeeeaahh, I would have filled them as assembling.. Thank you for the tips! 👍
Happy gardening…
I use Tara sorb and it's the stuff in diapers. We use it on my DOT jobs when we landscape bridges and cell towers and any other places that don't have irrigation spect in. It only takes a little bit so don't overdo it
Growing food towers is a great idea. ❤😊
I think so too! Happy gardening
Excellent video, very informative! Thank you for sharing 😊
Glad it was helpful!
do you have to worry about root rot with the sponges?
I would underwater in the cooler months and keep rain watering to a minimum unless you want to replant during the rainy season. Happy gardening
Thanks si much for the tips
No problem!
Are you putting any ant deterrent plants on the bottom layers? Maybe some lavender or marigolds, or some herbs like mint, rosemary or basil?
Herbs most likely. Want to make sure I’m past the last frost date. Happy gardening
Put a large, round, plastic saucer under tower, and keep water in it to keep ants out.
Great idea thanks
Awesome idea!! I'm gonna try that
I was gonna try PAM Cooking Spray, but that stuff is so messy. I like your idea better
Thanks for the tip!!
Great idea! I would add, place a piece of mosquito dunk in the water to keep mosquito count down. Found product at Tractor Supply or feed stores.
Good idea. Easy solution. I like it. 😊
Happy gardening…
Nice video! However, have you appreciated the large drainage holes in those black plastic shrub containers? Pros seem to use 4 "much bigger drainage" holes. Just a thought.
Happy gardening
Great idea!
Thanks and happy gardening…
Thanks for the tips! Where did you get the bonsai trees? I would like to grow some. Can you guide me?
One of the best bonsai instructors is esei-en (Bjorn). He has an entire course on mastering bonsai and has a ton of free content on how to grow. I would start with juniper as it’s easy to do and very forgiving of beginner mistakes. Happy gardening
Great ideas!!
Wonderful video!!
Thank you!!
You are so welcome! Happy gardening
A little FYI. The cheap plastic containers are Not Tupperware…which is quality and costly.
I appreciate the stabilizers and sponge idea, last year was so hot I lost all my strawberries!
Good point!
Tupperware is Tupperware. Plasticware is plasticware.
I had bought the expensive tri-pots on Amazon and planted green beans in them on the front porch after the rabbits kept eating them dow to the ground when I planted them in the garden.
Rabbits each non stop….unfortunately
Hi, about to get this project started (need to get the soldering iron since I lost my wood burning tool) and I have a few questions since you’ve already had yours up for a few weeks now!
How is the irrigation system you created working? Do all the plants at the bottom get their water only from the drip from above? , or is the drip just supplemental ?
Also, does the lack of drain holes on the bottom seem to have any affect? Or does the excess water drip out easily? I live in MA where the weather varies wildly, and we just had a HUGE downpour this past week (now at a nice bright sunny warm 73 lol) and I’m worried that there won’t be sufficient drainage.
Thanks for your time!
So far working great. Seeing lots of strawberries growing.
Love the little domes. Thanks. 👍
Glad you like them!
Great video you gave so many great tips! Thanks so much going to buy strawberries now😃!
Glad it was helpful! Happy gardening
Drill a hole in the bottom of the bottom 4 or 5 pots and drive a stake through. Then you don't have to put the steak on the outside and use zip ties. The stake through the center of the bottom four or five pots will stabilize the tower and you can still use the 1 gallon water jug at the top
Happy gardening
Do you put dirt in the middle or do you try to leave that open for water? I’m guessing dirt or it would all wash back into it? Also, do you poke holes in the bottom tray in the same location in the others as well?
Yes soil in center and all have same holes. Happy gardening
Hi, I'm a new subscriber. I purchased a few seeds from the Dollar Tree. Thank you for the great information 😊
Thanks for subbing! Happy gardening
@@ZenGardenOasis. Thank you 😊
This might be a great idea if you’re trying to grow strawberries inside… But outdoors with sitting water like that, be ready for a lot of mosquitoes! I know, because I did something similar to this with a self watering container, and those striped banded Chinese mosquitoes were just pouring out of it all summer.maybe it’s just a Pennsylvania thing? But I can’t do this.
Buy mosquito bits. Works great. I use on all my bonsai trays that have standing water all summer.
Can you plant a few plants that repel mosquitos?
If a large pot was used to stabilize the planters, that pot could be placed on a base with wheels for rotating or moving when needed.
Interesting idea.
Dollar tree carries heirloom seeds. Not all but they do have a few basics.
Happy gardening
Good tips!
Glad it was helpful! Happy gardening
what tool did you use to poke the holes? 10:27
Soldering tool…..I think I linked it in the description.
What kind of other plants do plant
Great tips, new subscriber. Happy Gardening 😊
Thanks and welcome
Do they sell big tiny sponges ? I’m wondering if I can use the wood burning tool to make little large holes ?
You could cut a larger sponge into correct sizes. Also yes I think a wood burn tool would work great. Happy gardening
Nice info on thanks
Any time! Happy gardening
What soil u use?
I have a video on how to make your own. Happy gardening
Great idea. I just subscribed.
Thanks for the sub! Happy gardening
How big is your shed and the cost.
Greenhouse is roughly 20’x20, shed is slightly smaller.
How does the gallon water gets to the bottom tray if no hole in the center of the trays, it will take time to fill upto the 1/2 inch side holes before the last tray gets water?
Slowly trickles through the entire system. I used watering probe on bottom level to confirm.
Now, how do you keep the birds out? 🇨🇦❤️
Check the newest garden hack.
What is the tool called that you used to burn the holes in the tower? I can’t find your links to order from.
Soldering pen or gun.
Thank you
Happy gardening….
Why not use a roll of fiber wallboard tape? Adhesive on one side, you could put a strip to close off each 'pot' and hold (most) of the soil in the plant area -- leaving the center 'water reservoir' most empty?
Are these containers food safe? I don’t see any markings on them.
Not sure…most plastics will have markings on buckets.
I bought a handful of them for strawberries and couldn't find a marking either. Opted to just use for some small flowers and ornamentals.
@@mattcampbell6379I opted to use mine for flowers also.
Amen
Use bread ties?
Do the covers work on the tower
Smaller size fits best….happy gardening…
Ants are pollinators as well. Are they not good for the strawberries?
They also eat strawberries
I'm pretty sure it would've worked easier to fill the planters with soil & planted your strawberries & only then stack them up... makes sense ???
True….happy gardening
I would have liked to see how well the watering really works. So, the gallon jug will leech to the bottom layers?? I wouldn't think so in one that tall!! You'll have to over water the first few layers. As long as the soil is absorbing water, it won't leech to the next layer. Each layer will need to saturate before dripping into the next. What keeps dirt from blocking the holes? I thought you were keeping the plants in their own pots, that might work, the bottom layer will leak out excess water though. This might work for 3 layers, maybe 4 tops!! I just think in time, you'll be watering each plant anyway.
Time will tell
Where are the links you mentioned?
Check he description if not there item may have sold out.
I haven't seen those stackable planters in dollar trees around me. Has anyone found a similar replacement in a dollar store? I'm trying to prevent getting an expensive stackable planter and I'm close to trying a set up with plastic milk crates again >.> Actually I might just try that. But your help is appreciated "-)
Check if they have a website. I see. To remember ordering from them online in the past.
Check family dollar stores for the exact same planters. I have better luck finding them there.
I wonder if you can spray the plastic with something to prolong the life
Possibly I hadn’t considered it.
Where in the USA are you located?
Southeast zone 7a
I'm sure those sponges are not very zen.Don't they have harmful chemicals that can leach in to soil and into the plant? Great idea with planter!
Happy gardening
You think the sponge has more chemicals than the plastic pot?
Just drill a hole down the middle of each one then stack em on a garden stake through that hole.
That's what I was also thinking. Fill the pot with dirt, stack, them move onto the next one and on up the pole.
He didn’t want to do that so the center would hold some water as a reservoir. The drainage holes were made in the side again to keep water in the pot
@@Joey3paws a PVC pipe with small holes could be used. And run down the center. Also plugged at the bottom. A narrow measuring stick could be put in the pipe and as it lowers it will gauge how much water is left. And tell you how much or when you need to refill the pipe. I've seen videos of that system.
Fill as you go may work.
I cut the bottom off of a clear soda bottle to make your “greenhouse”
Great idea. Happy gardening
Can anyone comment on health risks associated with growing food in cheap plastic containers? Thanks for this video!
Micro plastic are unfortunately everywhere…..even bottled water, read the article about Fiji water.
I agree. I thought about it and would grow non-edibles in them. I'm opting for growing veggies in thick cardboard boxes.
Why not run the rod through the middle? No extra zip ties and no extra breathing toxic melted plastic fumes.
Do you think the plastic in these pots is “safe” for gardening. No leaching toxic chemicals? Just curious since they are cheap and likely made in China. I wonder about stuff like that.
Check the plumbing in your home. Research which country it was manufactured.
That's not a special tool, right ? Its just a soder iron, right?
Correct
You said don’t worry about it because it’s going to be very hot… regarding the water level… not everyone lives where you live.
Don’t support this even corp
Agreed there quite even.
They sell those dome lids with the pots they're ment to fit on at dollarama. 3pack for $ 2.50