How to reuse a margarine tub for home gardening

Once empty, margarine tubs can be put to practical use by people growing plants at home. Provided the container is thoroughly cleaned and properly adapted, it can be used temporarily to sort seeds, store small items or hold seedlings.

How can a margarine tub support plant growing?

The shape of the container makes it useful for a range of small gardening jobs. It can be used to keep seeds separate, store labels or collect items such as clips, string and small tools.

It can also act as a temporary container for seedlings. However, the base must be adapted to allow water to drain away, as excessive moisture can damage the roots.

How do you turn a tub into a seedling container?

Wash the tub carefully to remove every trace of food residue, then allow it to dry. Next, make small drainage holes in the bottom using a suitable tool, taking care not to injure yourself.

Fill it with growing medium suitable for the species, then plant the seedling or seed at the recommended depth. Keep the container in a position that meets the plant's light requirements, and manage watering carefully to prevent waterlogging.

What can be stored inside the tub?

A lidded container can serve as a small box for seeds and gardening accessories. Labels, wire, string, clips and other small items that often get lost among larger tools can all be kept separately inside it.

When storing seeds, only place materials inside once they are completely dry. Labelling each container with the species name and, where needed, the storage date also makes organisation easier.

What precautions matter when reusing it?

The tub should be undamaged, with no cracks or sharp edges. If it is being used to grow seedlings, it must be cleaned and have effective drainage. Very small containers may also restrict root growth, so they should only be treated as a temporary option when the plant requires more room.

It is also not advisable to leave improvised plastic containers outside for extended periods without checking how well they withstand sunlight and weather conditions. Therefore, reusing a margarine tub can be a straightforward way to cut waste and create useful resources for home gardening.