In our endeavour to reduce both our carbon footprint and waste we are experimenting with biodegradeable pots. These are made from some kind of fibre pulp, then glazed to protect it. The idea is that they will last as long as the glaze is intact, but once this is broken they will start to decompose. It’s a slow process apparently, taking up to 18 months so they aren’t suitable for quick composting, but they do at least break down, unlike plastic.
Young Hemerocallis in biodegradeable pots and peat-free compost.
Impressions so far:
Positive: Attractive colour, sturdy, nice shape, fits our carrier trays nicely, the dark compost and green plant leaves look good in them.
Negative: Noticeably heavier than the black plastic, quite brittle – I broke one when I kicked it by accident, double the price (but we’re talking pennies anyway).
So the positives have it so far. We’ll see how we’re doing next year when the plants have overwintered. My instincts are that the lighter colour, thicker pot will help protect the plant roots from excessive heat in the summer. We will see.
You will be able to buy the pots from the nursery from 2008. I’m guessing a bit at pricing, but I think the 1L will be about 20p and the 2L pot about 30p.
2 Responses to “Biodegradable pots.”
Wonderful. I have an enormous collection of plastic pots – far more than I ever use for seedlings – which I won’t throw away because of the environmental effect, but which are just cluttering up the little space i have available. I’ll happily pay a bit more for pots I don’t need to feel gulity about. Thanks for the info.
Wonderful. I have an enormous collection of plastic pots – far more than I ever use for seedlings – which I won’t throw away because of the environmental effect, but which are just cluttering up the little space i have available. I’ll happily pay a bit more for pots I don’t need to feel gulity about. Thanks for the info.