Our Master Gardener Tells Us Not To Throw Out Plastic Takeout Containers But Do This Instead

I tend to hang on to supplies that I know can be useful in my garden. Some (my husband...) might call it hoarding, but to me, saving plastic takeout containers saves me money and helps me keep my supplies organized. Sure, yogurt and sour cream containers can serve the same purpose, but most of the takeout containers I get are clear, which means I can keep them stacked and tidy and I'm still able to see their contents. I have a few favorite uses for plastic takeout containers. Throughout the year, I use them to store my ever-growing collection of small garden supplies. In the spring, I add some drainage holes and use them to start seeds.

Plastic takeout containers come in all shapes and sizes. For storage, I like the clear round ones saved from ordering soup or pho from my favorite restaurants. It's also super easy to make a mini greenhouse in a leftover plastic clamshell container. While I couldn't possibly use every container that comes into my house when I don't feel like cooking, I like to upcycle as many as I can.

Salad and sushi containers with clear lids are excellent for starting small seeds. Seeds like lettuce and kale like light and consistent humidity for germination. This is also a great option if you don't have grow lights. While I don't suggest window light for starting larger plants like tomatoes and peppers, a south or east-facing window is sufficient for smaller, cool-season crops. I fill the bottom with organic seed starting mix, sprinkle some seeds on the top, soak the soil with a spray bottle, then put on the lid. The mini greenhouse goes in a sunny window and I wait for my seeds to sprout. Once they produce their first true leaves, I take the lid off and let them grow a few more inches before moving them to the garden.

For starting larger plants like tomatoes, peppers, or eggplants indoors, I like to use newspaper pots for starting seeds. Once my seedlings get big enough, I poke a few holes in the bottom of my clear soup takeout containers and use them for potting up my plants. Larger plants have a better chance of thriving when they are transplanted outdoors, so moving them to a bigger container gives them a chance to spread their roots. When I'm lazy or I get a late start starting my seeds, I just start them directly in seed starting mix in my saved plastic takeout containers.

Gardeners know that this hobby comes with a lot of little bits and pieces. Seed packets alone can be hard to organize. Plastic takeout containers form a tight enough seal to keep soup from spilling over, making them the perfect means of keeping your seeds dry until it's time to start planting. Keep your collection of seed packets organized by keeping like items together: root crops in one container, nightshades in another, and so on. Label each container with its contents and you'll always know which plastic takeout container has the seeds you need.

As a houseplant enthusiast, I also end up with small amounts of specialty mixes that I don't want to throw away. When I end up with less than two cups of succulent, orchid, or other planting medium blends, I keep them dry in one of my soup containers. I write the blend on the outside of the plastic cup and it's ready to use when I inevitably buy my next plant.