Instead of "Poor Man's Greenstalk" I'd say "Smart Woman's Budget Stack!" This would be great for herbs & lettuces & for my winter greenhouse--I am determined that next winter I will actually grow some food in the greenhouse instead of just keeping things alive!
So what I did with mine 5 years ago now, I put a long piece of rebar into the ground, then I put a piece of pvc over it, then I filled that with sand. Next, I had sprayed all my planters inside and out with a couple coats of that as seen on tv sealer, ( like the kind you see where they spray it on the bottom of a boat) it is awesome stuff and it really works. I have a metal bird bath that had a pretty good size crack right through the center and I put a few good coats on it, letting it dry a day in between and it holds water and has not leaked in 6 years now. It comes in a spray can. Next I put 1 on and filled with potting soil then planted my supertunia’s and water it in good and put the next one on doing all the same steps. I forgot to say that I do also have them on drip system. When I get to the top of the last one, then put the cap on the pvc. They are absolutely beautiful and do great. after my first frost, I remove the pvc cap and slide them off , empty in my compost pile and wash them out really good and when dry I stack them together and put in my shed until the next year. They have not faded or gotten brittle, they still look like the day I bought them.
Thank you I have a bird bath that has a crack . was planning on tossing it but haven't done it yet it was from my late husband I'll try spray coating it .
Drill plastic with drill in reverse. That way the blade still works but the leading edge doesn't grab brittle plastic, try to bunch it up, and then snap huge chunks out of it. Works pretty good. You might want to try that even with a hole saw (for doorknobs) by the same principle.
I've got three of these towers from Dollar Tree and I do have a green stalk as well. I actually got the green stalk first, and I do plan on getting two more eventually but I love how light these are and how easy they are to move around. One thing I would suggest is that you get a wood-burning tool...or some people call it a hot pen, but either way I call it wood burner. LOL I use it to put holes in everything imaginable. I use it to emboss my name and my kids names into anything plastic. The advantages of using this is that 1. you don't have little bits all over 2. It actually strengthens the hole by melting the edge. 3. It saves you money because you're not cracking a single item 4. It's only $20 just about everywhere, and it comes with neat interchangeable tips for other art projects. 5. I can also use it for my landscaping fabric that is also made out of plastic and it won't fray!!! 6. When you put the razor blade attachment on, you can literally cut any size hole out of anything! This was the first video I've seen of yours. Good job!
Awesome tip! I purchased some Step Drill Bits of various sizes a few years ago for my drill, after seeing someone on RU-vid use them to drill holes in 5-gallon buckets. They are terrific (imho) for buckets and PVC, really leave a clean-edged hole. But the wood burner seems like the perfect tool for lighter plastic and landscape fabric, for exactly the reasons you mention. Thanks so much! 😊
This is how I did mine a few years ago, when I first saw them in the D. Tree. I used a long stick and Bamboo sticks to keep the wind from knocking them over. I recently saw a video with a lady placing water bottles with the bottoms cut off in the center to make these easier to water. Probably using a Bamboo stick on two sides would prevent it from windy days. I didn't know about the Periwinkle color though!!!❤
I've had success cutting plastic planters with a hot knife. It stinks so do it outside. My favorite thing to put in the bottom of pots to keep the dirt from running out is a coffee fiter. They are the perfect size and shape. I'm lucky that I was able to afford buying Greenstalk planters and they are definitely worth the money, they have more space, thicker plastic and a watering system. However, they are ten times the price even on sale, for most of my life they would have been out of reach. These are brilliant and I think I might make some to add to my garden.
I've tried both versions, Greenstalk & DT. Has been a learning curve. I definitely appreciated the DT price. I did try a version of coffee liner in the bottom - placed a very thin layer of dryer lint. Discovered that was a bad idea. Mid way thru last summer I had to pull apart the DT stackable. Upon doing so realized that almost everything planted had begun to mold and those drain holes should be left open I sorted thru each stackable (cleaned em up) and replanted. Fortunately, that made a difference. The seeds I planted did ok.
If you can get the holes in the middle drilled out nicely, buy a long 2"(?) PVC pipe. Drill some smaller holes, maybe 1/4" to 1/2"? up and down the PVC pipe. Use that to stack your planters. Then you can water through the top of the PVC pipe. You need to close off the bottom of the pipe. You can also easily fertilize with the water through the pipe. Hope that makes sense.
Questions: 1) will they hold water if u don't poke it the holes? 2) had anyone used these to make a hydroponics tree! Seems like u could take a 5 gallon bucket, drill 2" hole in middle of the lid. Drill 2" hole in middle of all the pots. Run a 2" PVC pipe up the middle. Drop a small pump in the bucket. Connect 1" pipe/ hose to pump & run it the length of the PVC. Cap the top of 1" hose adding 3 drio lines (1/4" hose) to it that'll go into the 3 square planters. Then you'd have to run drip line from top pot to lower pot all the way down or run drip lines from the the 1" to each pot drilling thru the PVC. Possibly the cheapest & easiest would be to stagger the pots vs criss crossing. The pots would like like threads on a screw going around the PVC. That way u would drill a small hole in the bottom of pot so it would drop into the pot directly beneath & then eventually through a strategically placed home in lid of bucket to refill. U could criss cross like in the video to drain into lower pot, u would just need 6 way splitter on top vs 3. Good need to make sure the drain hole is small enough so the pot will fill b4 it completely drains out & have pump timed so pot will not over flow. (Hope I made sense to everyone) At least that's what my head came up with quickly watching the video. U could have 36 hydroponic planter for
🤣 Taking off the punched-out bits because you're a lunatic... right there with you!!! I would absolutely take them off also, even though I would never see them because they'll be covered with dirt. I get it. Drill tips: use a blow dryer to lightly warm the plastic before trying to drill it AND look into getting a Step Drill Bit if you're going to drill a lot of plastic. It works better on buckets and PVC, but leaves a cleaner edge on the holes. SOOOOOO worth the investment, imho. Stacking these on a T-post is brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing this. It's an awesome alternative. 👏😄💖
I have ordered a case of those from Dollar Tree and was wondering about how to make them sturdy. Love your idea of the X cut in the center to go over a t-post!
Okay, so I know I’m probably *reallllly* late, but I had NO idea that you could order items from Dollar Tree! 🤭 I was concerned that I’d go all the way to my closest store (I live way out in the boonies), and they wouldn’t have these in stock, but, I’m on their site right now, and I see them in all colors. Thank you so much for this info! 👍🏽
I am so kicking myself for not picking up that umbrella pole last year. It would have been perfect to put these on the concrete. Thank you for the video!!!
Wonderful idea! I was actually looking at these the other day! A tip for keeping them from cracking when cutting your X's, heat the spot up slightly with a heat gun or hairdryer, then an xacto knife will make short work of it. 😁
I love your DIY. So creative and I read the other comments everyone had some really good ideas with theirs. I am definitely gonna do this for some herbs and flowers.
Thank you for showing us this! I can’t afford those other brands so I am going to look for these at the Dollar tree, I already have some t posts , I want to use them to plant flowers around my veggie garden 😁
The X cut you made is probably better than using a hole making bit. This is great. I have something like this from ikea and I’ve used it for 10+ years. I love this idea. Thank you.
Thanks for the t-post idea. I saw these yesterday at Family Dollar. Yup, they’re $1.25 each. Great price! I’m thinking I’m going to buy some now that I’ve seen your video. ❤
Very crafty idea. Looks like I'm heading to the dollar store. Hope to see more ideas so am subscribing. I also like how the assistant is there to help the supervisor. 🥰
These do need some extra support in the wind as I have found. I like mine but keep them 2 high because they blow down if I have them higher. I could drill and put a metal rebar pole or something else to keep them up but have not done that yet. I have had mine two seasons. May try the T post. Thanks for that idea. We have very high winds in my town in Spring and in Summer.
The smaller version are wonderful to expand the amount of plants I can have on my greenhouse shelves. Amazing that Dollar Tree would have something so useful.
Love the idea. I have about 4 I stacked last year. Never thought of going higher. What a great idea using the t-post. Look lettuce, strawberries and herbs. I subscribed so your progress through the year.
I’ll have to buy these planters now! I’ve been an avid gardener for decades. Always check Dollar Tree in mid winter for for their garden supplies. I bought their vented clear cloches, green plant clips ($5 elsewhere), hanging planter chains, bottom watering pots and seeds. All have held up well but the cloches can melt in very hit sun. Tye are more for tender plants and seedlings in spring.
I love these thank you for sharing. I will for sure be doing this. I have wanted a green stalk planter for a long time but can not and will not pay that much. ❤❤❤
Wonderfull! You've made it possible for me to have several for myself a green garden stick .I've been looking for one on the freebie app, so happy I saw,subscribed to your channel.Thank you so much,I will love it even more. because I made it with your help
This is brilliant! I wonder if it could work with one of those wheeled pot stands and fixing the bar or something similar to that, so the whole stack could be rotated or moved a bit easier🤔
Putting them on a t post is a good idea. I bought these a couple years ago. They do blow over easily. I didn't have any luck with the trickle down watering either. I finally got greenstalks. Do what you can for now, but the greenstalk is worth it when you can get it. Please do a follow up.
I’ll be using the ones I have to grow bush beans so the rabbits can’t eat the sprouts as they’re coming up out of the ground like they did last year. Might even try radishes in them.
A hole saw sweets that's the name & it's a wonderful tool. I did this project & used a 2" hole saw for center of pots & then drilled little holes in a PVC pipe & put in the center instead of a stake. This way u can water & fertilize all ur plants from the top 🤗 u did a fantastic job with what u have! U had me at " Dollar Tree" 😂
Nice video ☺️ I bought a lot of those pots also. I'll make a video when I get them planted. I like the way you stacked them up. Looks good. Good luck with it. Have a great day and happy gardening 🌿🌱🌷🌸💮🏵️🌻😊🤗
I love these and have used this for years until they break…finally I just invested in a couple greenstalks because I keep having to replace them and was spending more on these than the one time greenstalk that will last for years. I do agree they are a great starter though and suggest anyone to try them…also during the summer you have to water them daily if not twice a day in my zone so that’s another thing to beware of
