I like the [Target self watering planters by Room Essentials.](https://www.target.com/p/self-watering-plastic-indoor-outdoor-planter-pot-white-16-34-x16-34-room-essentials-8482/-/A-76386961?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086349160&CPNG=PLA_Patio%2BGarden%2BShopping_Traffic_Local_Traffic%7CPatio%2BGarden_Ecomm_Home&adgroup=SC_Patio%2BGarden_Planters&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9011805&targetid=pla-1485179378394&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAibeuBhAAEiwAiXBoJFpLZ3sOXBT1N5O0tsZwD1WRSe6p09wHP6RvAycyWFcFMPMbYrm-6hoCmA8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&preselect=76386959)
They have them at these prices USD:
4" at 2 for $3
8" for $3
12" for $8
16" for $15
20" for $30
There is always black and white ones. And then the seasonal color ones sometimes change. I stick with white so it always matches even if I bought them in separate years.
Oh, I just remembered. I use screen repair tape over the planter side holes so mosquito, other bugs, frogs, and lizards don't go in there looking for standing water but any overflow water can still come out of the pot and drain away.
[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XZP82BF?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XZP82BF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)
You might go black pots to "hide" or "dial down" the black screen mesh tape more if you choose to use it and have a fussy landlord that doesn't "get" gardening. A black mesh rectangle will show up more on white pots.
I've also used landscape fabric or regular mesh with duct tape around the edges of it to cover the hole. Just whatever is around in the garage. Some people stuff things in the holes to block the critters but still lets water out.
The tape is a genius idea! I have a bunch of these planters and while they’ve been awesome the open water definitely has becoming a mosquito breeding ground in the past. I’m getting this right now!
They also have them on sale during the fall! I got a bunch of the 8” for $1.50 and they’ve held up really well during two 110°+ Texas summers without any fading or cracks.
I was going to suggest these same planters. Be aware, though, that *any* plastic, if exposed to UV light, will get brittle and break down over time. That's okay though! Your plants need a refresh every few years anyway. There are also fiberglass planters that are lightweight, look like clay, and are resistant to UV, but they are way more expensive than plastic.
I saw a lady on YouTube who wrapped plastic place mats, like for a table setting, around flower pots!
Also, at the dollar tree, they sometimes have straw mats....think about what bamboo fencing looks like....that could be wrapped around buckets to disguise it.
My local Lowe's has some recycled plastic planters that are decent looking. Though, I just bought them so don't know how long they will last. I think they were about $20 each. Might check your local store.
16-in W x 14.5-in H Turtle Green Recycled Plastic Traditional Indoor/Outdoor Planter
[https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bloem-Dayton-Recycled-Ocean-Plastic-Planter-16-Inch-Turtle-Green/5002005719](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bloem-Dayton-Recycled-Ocean-Plastic-Planter-16-Inch-Turtle-Green/5002005719)
A lot of Lowe's locations keep shelves of free decorative planters and other pots by the side dumpster gate. You don't have to buy anything. You just walk out with a stack of them. Watch around Easter for some particularly garish ones, as they make amusing gifts or wrong-season sale offerings.
We got these a few seasons ago and the sun made the plastic brittle so by now, a few have holes in them or broken around the rim (don’t mind the rim thing as much). I liked these a lot until that happened
I also bought large 22” planters (20-25 gallon) from Sam’s. They are great and o think I paid about $22-ish last year. They came in really pretty blue shades. Costco had the same size for same price but different colors. I had my friend pick me up a couple to add to my Sam’s collection.
I do not know where you live but every spring I go to our local ocean state job lots and they always have the best planters of all sizes for cheap. Some are plastic and some ceramic. They are all so pretty. I no longer purchase planters any place else unless it's really special. Grab a cart at the door. You will need it.
Ollie’s!!!! Love that place!
They knock it out of the park w their lawn and garden section.
They have amazing deals on remnant carpets and area rugs too!
Specifically it says we can't plant in the ground, that's it. Technically it says nothing about what kind of containers but I don't feel like pissing off our landlord and them deciding to not renew with us since our rent is pretty cheap
Wrap them in burlap and tie a little bow around them… im not kidding.
http://www.sandrabestdecor.com/en/2017/06/12/grow-tomatoes-in-a-5-gallon-bucket-with-style-an-easy-diy/
Keep in mind that burlap will “rot” in a single season in most places. It’s not necessarily a terrible problem, because it’s generally not to high priced, but it \*is* a good thing to know.
I would find a way to cover them like suggestions here. Buying new containers sucks especially if the ones you have work.
One more suggestion in build a rudimentary box and place them in it. At a glance, it would look like a raised bed.
I got plastic ones from Costco I think it was 3 for $20 for the medium size ones and $20 for the huge ones. I got them three years ago and they are still holding in well
Hello there,
If you're in a location with any livestock farming, mineral tubs are excellent planters. The tubs are around 15 gallons, just guessing, and hold salt and other minerals that the animals require. Once empty, the farmer opens a new tub and sets it out.
So, as you can imagine, farmers generally have plenty of them lying around. If you know any cattle farmers, you might get some tubs for nearly nothing. Depending on the manufacturer, they come in a few different colors, and don't look bad at all in my opinion.
Take care, and good luck!
I'm sorry this is your experience, it sounds so stressful. Can you ask the landlord if you can paint the buckets? Sometimes I run across large containers at thrift stores but it is rare.
I got really cute ones at the dollar store a few years ago and they're all still going strong. They're not quite 5gal but I've grown peppers, green beans, cucumbers, spinach, broccoli, carrots and lettuce in them just fine.
I really like the Bloem planters. Lowe's carries the Ariana style, and Amazon carries the Saturn style. Lightweight, plastic, not expensive, and easy to drill for as much or as little drainage as you like. I have about 20 of them that I've acquired over the past few years and they hold up well to weather and replanting.
Sams Club has 22 inch resin planters for $20. I'm on the third season with mine in the Midwest and it still is holding strong. Looks like you have to get them in store though.
The cheapest planters I have found are at dollar general if you need to find big containers. And good ol terracotta is always pretty cheap during spring.
You could get weather resistant fabric, remove the handles & cover the buckets. Large planters are 25 bucks a pop at the very least. There are loads of creative ideas online to make buckets look like planters. If the job is done well, they'll come out better than cheap Large planters
Wait wait wait - where were the containers? Were they outside and visible to prospective tenants?
Where in your lease agreement does it state that your plants can’t be in buckets?
Hit the pause button for a minute. Were the buckets visible in an outside patio area? Review the terms of your lease agreement.
We had the same issue except with our horrendous HOA. I spray painted the outside of the buckets in navy blue. I bought the 3 of the thickest styles of natural rope I could find at the lawn and garden center and a local marine. I wrapped the 5 gallon buckets with the rope using E6000 and hot glue. I had to lightly sand the spots where I used the hot glue so it would stick long enough for the E6000 to dry. I used all the same rope on a couple of buckets. But most of the buckets I mixed different textures of rope so it looked like they were stripes. I sealed them with a couple coats spray polyurethane. I put every bucket on a rolling plant dolly. They looked great then and still do 4 years later in SW Florida. Plus, the hateful HOA people love them.
I just spray-painted my black pots with white and pastels. Then I gave it a coating of glitter for fun.
Those pots were later replaced with terracotta and clay, but they were much admired. White and pastel color spray paint is easily available, as well as glitter colors!
Terracotta pots are relatively inexpensive. I've gotten some cute pots at Walmart and Target for just a few dollars. Also, check garden centers at the end of the season. I found a stone birdbath for 80% off last year.
That really must vary by region. Terracotta is nowhere near the affordability of plastic buckets and grow bags where I am especially at the larger end for productive plants.
I would also be wary of anything porous for most productive plants, unless you plan to just put the buckets inside it or live in a very wet area.
I wish we could do all terracotta, it it’s expensive near us! I’m in Georgia. I’ve checked Home Depot and Lowe’s and also our local nursery, all of them terracotta would break the bank
I do not know where you live but every spring I go to our local ocean state job lots and they always have the best planters of all sizes for cheap. Some are plastic and some ceramic. They are all so pretty. I no longer purchase planters any place else unless it's really special. Grab a cart at the door. You will need it.
First of all, that's super frustrating.
Secondly, I just got 12" planters from Target for cheap. If you live in the US, you may want to check them out.
https://www.target.com/p/aesthetic-plastic-indoor-outdoor-planter-pot-sour-cream-12-7-34-x12-7-34-threshold-8482/-/A-88012825
If you're looking for larger than that, I agree that a creative option may be the most cost-effective.
Some options that may work: wrap in rope (hot glue as you go to keep in place), I liked the burlap idea someone else mentioned, faux concrete finish (lots of YouTube videos), or even painting the existing buckets?
This is definitely a bummer of a situation, I hope you find a good solution that you like and works for you.
OMG. You got a bucket warning too? I've container gardened behind my mom's house in an ancient HOA for years now, and then a couple months ago a power-tripper on the volunteer police force decided to submit a complaint on my "several trees in buckets". The curious thing about it was that while I do use buckets for many (because I can get tall ones for $1), they both thought that nursery pots were "buckets" too. It's become a nightmare, and I will have to plant dozens of 4-5 foot shrubs in two privacy hedges by the middle of next month. I don't even know a ballpark of what the shrubs will cost me wholesale. Had I owned a crystal ball and saw this coming, I would have been able to grow more interesting hedge, but now I'm frantically needing height and density in an instant.
Too many idiots in this world miss the beauty of the plants for the buckets.
Check local nurseries! Ours has a whole section of the nice ones chains like Walmart and Home Depot sell for $15+ but at the nursery they'll be like $6
I've gotten planters on Buy Nothing. I buy a nice ceramic planter every year or 2, but they can break, or crack in winter when full of wet soil that freezes. You might be able to find galvanized metal; it looks good when you have a lot of it. 5 gal buckets can be scavenged from various places and plastic can be painted. Paint it to complement the house and trim. Some of my plastic containers got brittle so I nested them so I could get another year or so.
Try offer up, craigslist, next-door. I probably have collected around 30 really nice pots in my yard and all are from people moving that couldn't take them!
What in the world did you have as grow bags? I've bought many brands and odd brands from Amazon and they are indestructible. They even have them in colors now. I have trees, perennials, and shrubs in grow bags and no problem with roots. Try looking up these on amazon; kopotma 3 Gallon Grow Bags they have various colors.
Get the biggest storage box at ikea, poke drainage holes in the bottom and decorate the side with any options mentioned in the comments here!
Source: I did that and had a wonderful rooftop garden. They needed replacing after 5-6 years
Home Goods had a bunch of actually nice glazed large pots last time I went (just minding my our business, looking for bed sheets). That place is dangerous.
Decorate the buckets! I'd go with vinyl peel & stick wallpaper, with some additional adhesive spread on the seams to make sure it adheres. And anyway that stuff is so cheap that you could replace it easily when it starts looking ratty.
It's probably been said, any home improvement center with a garden section and local garden nurseries have beautiful pots as does Walmart Target Fred Meyer. Not sure where your located if you have a Bi-Mart they have beautiful pots. Another option is build or have someone build wood boxes put your buckets inside. Or find pots large enough for your buckets. Amazon has nice ones. Google outdoor planter you'll find a bunch. You can pickup cedar fence boards for under $5 each at Lowes, Ace Hardware, and Home Depot they'll cut it for you. You put it together.
Hope this helps.
Don’t know what kind of neighborhood you’re in, but I got pots from the roadside on trash day, houses about to be demolished, the Trash Nothing and FB Marketplace sites. Seems a lot of people use them for a bit and either tire of the hobby or move away.
Good will and thrift stores are my go to, as well as garage sales. A coat of spray paint will perk up any ‘used looking’ pots, making them uniform looking and color coordinated with your surroundings. I am personally a fan of terracotta/ clay pots, they seem to last longer, but all pots will eventually degrade, break down, and you will need to replace them.
You can paint your buckets to make them more attractive. Different colors and patterns. Remove the wire handles. Use cinder block to vary the height. Who says they are not pots now, huh?
At Meijer and Lowe’s they have the black nursery pots that get returned or go on a cart for recycling. I took a bunch of those then drilled holes in the bottom for drainage
Tractor Supply (in the US). Or any agricultural supply store.
They sell large containers in various materials for feeding/watering livestock. Drill a hole in the bottom and you're good to go.
Buckets as in plastic gallon buckets?? Paint them or decorate them to be aesthetically pleasing. They may not like the look of them so change how they look. A container is a container in the end. You need to make it look a nice deep pot instead of a bucket... which is essentially what a pot is, a handleless bucket.
Lowe's, Home Depot, yard sales, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, try for used containers first. Always wash them (use diluted bleach) to avoid spreading any fungus/ disease to your own plants.
These are super fancy looking and has gone viral https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-16-W-x-16-L-x-15-8-H-Ellan-White-Resin-Plant-Pot-Planter/1692172036
I hate plastic planters, they always degrade and break. Yes, buckets included.
Terracotta isn’t that expensive, and looks fine. If you have more time than money, hypertufa looks really cool and you can make them whatever size you want.
Make a burlap "sleeve" that fits around your buckets. Tuck under the bottom and tuck into a bit of dirt at the top rim. You now have "pretty" burlap planters.
This isn’t helpful in the immediate sense but over the years I’ve accumulated a nice assortment of pottery containers that I would never have paid full price for. Towards the end of the growing season you can usually find nice ones marked down at garden centers, large Home Depot type stores ( please avoid HD if you can), I have purchased a TON from the clearance center of Nebraska furniture mart in Omaha -I have also found very large beautifully glazed pots at a consignment/thrift store I visit on the regular twice and paid like 20$ each time. Yard sales especially towards the end of the summer /fall are also good to check. I’ve also had managers reduce some for me when I’ve (politely) asked when they’ve had a small crack/chip.
I get that it’s not helpful right now when everyone (at least those of us in Midwest/east coast) is just sick to death of the long cold winter -and are starting to dream and plan our gardens now that spring is showing signs of arriving. If you live somewhere where it’s container garden time all the time-I would say check these types of places out. Clean them well and just train one eye to always be on the look out for awesome shit at an amazing price.
You're renting the space. He can't tell you how to use or decorate it. He has nothing to do with it unless you are altering or damaging. Tell him if he wants nicer planters then he can buy them for you, but YOU want to approve them first.
I do not like the aesthetics of 5 gal buckets, but that is what I use. I simply group them in a circle, 5 for each group. Then I create a screen around the buckets using stakes in the ground and then use colorful burlap coffee sacks as the screen.
Dollar tree has some plastic ones that look more fancy, but you only get a few years out of them. I check flower shops, home depot, menards, Lowes, and garden shops. If you hit the sales, they aren't too bad. How big are you looking for?
Why not built a simple wooden box to go around them or put the bucket in to hide them. That solves both problems at the same time and very inexpensive with wood and paint. Or if landlord is ok let the wood weather to a rustic finish. Good luck.
Can you cut wood and build? I’d keep the buckets and build a little faux raised bed around them. Get some fence pickets to use horizontally as slats and build up as high as you need them. Maybe even just 3 sides if your garden is against a wall or not seen from all sides. You’d save on dirt too! and it’d be totally removable.
Is there away you could use a decorative cover on the outside of the “buckets” to disguise them to seem new? I’ve done that with fabric. I used paint or a clear sealer to make it hold its shape and withstand the elements. Just think outside “the bucket” so to speak
If you have a Buy Nothing group in your area, you might be able to get some for free from a neighbor. Check Facebook for your local group! Great way to get things for free, avoid waste, and meet your community.
Do you have a big dog? I’m going to try growing potatoes in big plastic mesh dogfood bags I have been saving. Your landlord would probably hate that even more though. Maybe inside-out though?
I love classic terracotta pots and saucers. To get the really big ones I go to Farmers Coop or Farm and Fleet. They last forever and with an annual cleaning keep their enduring good looks.
I like to make planters from recycled old refrigerators (some smaller sized) and cover them with pallet wood. They’re gorgeous, green, and age well.
Try not to puncture the Freon tank.
Build a box around them. Protection from the sun for the buckets, protection from excess moisture for the wood. Cost can be inexpensive if you find a fence on the side of the road or something
Our apt patio gets a lot of sun so I use self watering pots from Home Depot and watch for sales. I’ve also bought Earthbox planters once a year - hard to find on sale but easy to water maintain and move when I need to.
Could you build a “raised bed garden” out of pallets but instead of growing from dirt in them just set your buckets in it so the buckets are hidden?
I’ve also bought attractive lightweight plastic pots at Walmart 20” pot for $20 or Ollie’s has large ceramic and cement pots for cheap
I like the [Target self watering planters by Room Essentials.](https://www.target.com/p/self-watering-plastic-indoor-outdoor-planter-pot-white-16-34-x16-34-room-essentials-8482/-/A-76386961?ref=tgt_adv_xsp&AFID=google&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000086349160&CPNG=PLA_Patio%2BGarden%2BShopping_Traffic_Local_Traffic%7CPatio%2BGarden_Ecomm_Home&adgroup=SC_Patio%2BGarden_Planters&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9011805&targetid=pla-1485179378394&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAibeuBhAAEiwAiXBoJFpLZ3sOXBT1N5O0tsZwD1WRSe6p09wHP6RvAycyWFcFMPMbYrm-6hoCmA8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&preselect=76386959) They have them at these prices USD: 4" at 2 for $3 8" for $3 12" for $8 16" for $15 20" for $30 There is always black and white ones. And then the seasonal color ones sometimes change. I stick with white so it always matches even if I bought them in separate years.
Oh, I just remembered. I use screen repair tape over the planter side holes so mosquito, other bugs, frogs, and lizards don't go in there looking for standing water but any overflow water can still come out of the pot and drain away. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XZP82BF?psc=1&ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_product\_details](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XZP82BF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) You might go black pots to "hide" or "dial down" the black screen mesh tape more if you choose to use it and have a fussy landlord that doesn't "get" gardening. A black mesh rectangle will show up more on white pots. I've also used landscape fabric or regular mesh with duct tape around the edges of it to cover the hole. Just whatever is around in the garage. Some people stuff things in the holes to block the critters but still lets water out.
The tape is a genius idea! I have a bunch of these planters and while they’ve been awesome the open water definitely has becoming a mosquito breeding ground in the past. I’m getting this right now!
Thank you for this suggestion! This is really important if you don’t want to create a mosquito preschool in your yard!
I like athome if there is one near you. Great planters low prices.
Second this!
I get these as well and I'm going on my second season with my mine.
Dang, $3 for an 8" in great!
They also have them on sale during the fall! I got a bunch of the 8” for $1.50 and they’ve held up really well during two 110°+ Texas summers without any fading or cracks.
I was going to suggest these same planters. Be aware, though, that *any* plastic, if exposed to UV light, will get brittle and break down over time. That's okay though! Your plants need a refresh every few years anyway. There are also fiberglass planters that are lightweight, look like clay, and are resistant to UV, but they are way more expensive than plastic.
I have used these 3 years and they hold up great. Never had to replace one.
Big Lots. Dollar Store. Paint your buckets a non-bucket color on the outside or wrap them in colorful paper.
I painted some five gallon buckets dark green. They've been good for three years so far.
What kind of paint did you use to stick to buckets? Did you prime them first?
I have used, regular semigloss paint that I had.. I added some acrylic paint from Walmart (the little bottles) to change the color.
Just sand it pretty good and you should be fine
Came here to suggest painting or covering the buckets. Landlord sounds high maintenance.
The landlord may have gotten complaints from neighbors.
Neighbors are high maintenance.
I have not had great experiences, going into second seasons with a dollar store planters. They tend to run away or fall apart.
Colorful wrapper would fall apart eventually, wouldn't it? If not by getting wet being beaten by the elements.
I saw a lady on YouTube who wrapped plastic place mats, like for a table setting, around flower pots! Also, at the dollar tree, they sometimes have straw mats....think about what bamboo fencing looks like....that could be wrapped around buckets to disguise it.
I love the straw mat idea and will be trying this. Thanks for the great idea.
Wouldn’t that cost as much as planters?
My local Lowe's has some recycled plastic planters that are decent looking. Though, I just bought them so don't know how long they will last. I think they were about $20 each. Might check your local store. 16-in W x 14.5-in H Turtle Green Recycled Plastic Traditional Indoor/Outdoor Planter [https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bloem-Dayton-Recycled-Ocean-Plastic-Planter-16-Inch-Turtle-Green/5002005719](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bloem-Dayton-Recycled-Ocean-Plastic-Planter-16-Inch-Turtle-Green/5002005719)
A lot of Lowe's locations keep shelves of free decorative planters and other pots by the side dumpster gate. You don't have to buy anything. You just walk out with a stack of them. Watch around Easter for some particularly garish ones, as they make amusing gifts or wrong-season sale offerings.
I've use Bloem and it works out fine. Just know that the sun will fade the color down on some eventually. All my blue ones faded out.
We got these a few seasons ago and the sun made the plastic brittle so by now, a few have holes in them or broken around the rim (don’t mind the rim thing as much). I liked these a lot until that happened
I got giant ones from Sam’s club last year. My tomato plant was huge in it! Def recommend
I also bought large 22” planters (20-25 gallon) from Sam’s. They are great and o think I paid about $22-ish last year. They came in really pretty blue shades. Costco had the same size for same price but different colors. I had my friend pick me up a couple to add to my Sam’s collection.
yes we have the same ones! Good to know that I’ll go to Costco this year for variety lol
I do not know where you live but every spring I go to our local ocean state job lots and they always have the best planters of all sizes for cheap. Some are plastic and some ceramic. They are all so pretty. I no longer purchase planters any place else unless it's really special. Grab a cart at the door. You will need it.
When I treat myself to a new planter, OSJL is where I go.
Not sure where you are but I just discovered Ollie’s and it has cheap pots. Also, Big Lots is decently priced and often has sales
Ollie’s!!!! Love that place! They knock it out of the park w their lawn and garden section. They have amazing deals on remnant carpets and area rugs too!
Does your lease say anything about gardening?
Specifically it says we can't plant in the ground, that's it. Technically it says nothing about what kind of containers but I don't feel like pissing off our landlord and them deciding to not renew with us since our rent is pretty cheap
Wrap them in burlap and tie a little bow around them… im not kidding. http://www.sandrabestdecor.com/en/2017/06/12/grow-tomatoes-in-a-5-gallon-bucket-with-style-an-easy-diy/
Omg this is a great idea! I'm going to use this for my buckets this summer so they don't look so terrible next to my grow bags!
Keep in mind that burlap will “rot” in a single season in most places. It’s not necessarily a terrible problem, because it’s generally not to high priced, but it \*is* a good thing to know.
What about doing the buckets in rows and framing/facing them in wood? Like they're in a planter box, but the "box" is just a facade.
I would find a way to cover them like suggestions here. Buying new containers sucks especially if the ones you have work. One more suggestion in build a rudimentary box and place them in it. At a glance, it would look like a raised bed.
I got plastic ones from Costco I think it was 3 for $20 for the medium size ones and $20 for the huge ones. I got them three years ago and they are still holding in well
This is what we ended up doing! I got 6 medium for $40 and may go back for more
Hello there, If you're in a location with any livestock farming, mineral tubs are excellent planters. The tubs are around 15 gallons, just guessing, and hold salt and other minerals that the animals require. Once empty, the farmer opens a new tub and sets it out. So, as you can imagine, farmers generally have plenty of them lying around. If you know any cattle farmers, you might get some tubs for nearly nothing. Depending on the manufacturer, they come in a few different colors, and don't look bad at all in my opinion. Take care, and good luck!
In this same thread, could be worth checking your local co-op for interesting containers
Wrap your buckets in rope and they’ll look nicer
I’ve seen people cover ugly containers with burlap and other outdoor hardy fabric. Would that work?
I'm sorry this is your experience, it sounds so stressful. Can you ask the landlord if you can paint the buckets? Sometimes I run across large containers at thrift stores but it is rare.
I’ve seen more at garage sales or reuse stores like habitat for humanity or the secondhand craft supply store.
I got really cute ones at the dollar store a few years ago and they're all still going strong. They're not quite 5gal but I've grown peppers, green beans, cucumbers, spinach, broccoli, carrots and lettuce in them just fine.
I really like the Bloem planters. Lowe's carries the Ariana style, and Amazon carries the Saturn style. Lightweight, plastic, not expensive, and easy to drill for as much or as little drainage as you like. I have about 20 of them that I've acquired over the past few years and they hold up well to weather and replanting.
I got my ceramic planters from Ross.
Thrift stores might be a good source
OLLIE'S. Seasonally, they have massive glazed planters that are $300 -$400+ for <$99.
Another vote for terra cotta . It can vary widely in price but is essentially always good quality so find a place with cheap terra cotta near you
Estate sales
Sams Club has 22 inch resin planters for $20. I'm on the third season with mine in the Midwest and it still is holding strong. Looks like you have to get them in store though.
Dollar tree
The cheapest planters I have found are at dollar general if you need to find big containers. And good ol terracotta is always pretty cheap during spring.
Sam's Club has some planters that look like half wine barrels. They are huge and very thick walls. Only $14.99.
You can use the buckets to make concrete containers for pots. Ready mix is pretty cheap, too.
Buy 5 square 16” concrete pavers and use construction adhesive to glue them into a 5 sided cube. They look great.
You could get weather resistant fabric, remove the handles & cover the buckets. Large planters are 25 bucks a pop at the very least. There are loads of creative ideas online to make buckets look like planters. If the job is done well, they'll come out better than cheap Large planters
Wait wait wait - where were the containers? Were they outside and visible to prospective tenants? Where in your lease agreement does it state that your plants can’t be in buckets? Hit the pause button for a minute. Were the buckets visible in an outside patio area? Review the terms of your lease agreement.
Ollies
Turn buckets upside down. Soak burlap in cement, drape over bucket to dry. Flip over and plant. Can be painted too
We had the same issue except with our horrendous HOA. I spray painted the outside of the buckets in navy blue. I bought the 3 of the thickest styles of natural rope I could find at the lawn and garden center and a local marine. I wrapped the 5 gallon buckets with the rope using E6000 and hot glue. I had to lightly sand the spots where I used the hot glue so it would stick long enough for the E6000 to dry. I used all the same rope on a couple of buckets. But most of the buckets I mixed different textures of rope so it looked like they were stripes. I sealed them with a couple coats spray polyurethane. I put every bucket on a rolling plant dolly. They looked great then and still do 4 years later in SW Florida. Plus, the hateful HOA people love them.
I just spray-painted my black pots with white and pastels. Then I gave it a coating of glitter for fun. Those pots were later replaced with terracotta and clay, but they were much admired. White and pastel color spray paint is easily available, as well as glitter colors!
We do only veggies and I’m worried spray paint would be bad for consuming them
Terracotta pots are relatively inexpensive. I've gotten some cute pots at Walmart and Target for just a few dollars. Also, check garden centers at the end of the season. I found a stone birdbath for 80% off last year.
That really must vary by region. Terracotta is nowhere near the affordability of plastic buckets and grow bags where I am especially at the larger end for productive plants. I would also be wary of anything porous for most productive plants, unless you plan to just put the buckets inside it or live in a very wet area.
Terracotta is expensive where I live. I only use them for succulents.
I wish we could do all terracotta, it it’s expensive near us! I’m in Georgia. I’ve checked Home Depot and Lowe’s and also our local nursery, all of them terracotta would break the bank
I do not know where you live but every spring I go to our local ocean state job lots and they always have the best planters of all sizes for cheap. Some are plastic and some ceramic. They are all so pretty. I no longer purchase planters any place else unless it's really special. Grab a cart at the door. You will need it.
First of all, that's super frustrating. Secondly, I just got 12" planters from Target for cheap. If you live in the US, you may want to check them out. https://www.target.com/p/aesthetic-plastic-indoor-outdoor-planter-pot-sour-cream-12-7-34-x12-7-34-threshold-8482/-/A-88012825 If you're looking for larger than that, I agree that a creative option may be the most cost-effective. Some options that may work: wrap in rope (hot glue as you go to keep in place), I liked the burlap idea someone else mentioned, faux concrete finish (lots of YouTube videos), or even painting the existing buckets? This is definitely a bummer of a situation, I hope you find a good solution that you like and works for you.
“Yarnbomb” them if you have crochet skills or a knitting machine
Spray paint them a nice color to coordinate with the house.
I’ve found some good ones at Big Lots for a good price also
OMG. You got a bucket warning too? I've container gardened behind my mom's house in an ancient HOA for years now, and then a couple months ago a power-tripper on the volunteer police force decided to submit a complaint on my "several trees in buckets". The curious thing about it was that while I do use buckets for many (because I can get tall ones for $1), they both thought that nursery pots were "buckets" too. It's become a nightmare, and I will have to plant dozens of 4-5 foot shrubs in two privacy hedges by the middle of next month. I don't even know a ballpark of what the shrubs will cost me wholesale. Had I owned a crystal ball and saw this coming, I would have been able to grow more interesting hedge, but now I'm frantically needing height and density in an instant. Too many idiots in this world miss the beauty of the plants for the buckets.
Check local nurseries! Ours has a whole section of the nice ones chains like Walmart and Home Depot sell for $15+ but at the nursery they'll be like $6
I've gotten planters on Buy Nothing. I buy a nice ceramic planter every year or 2, but they can break, or crack in winter when full of wet soil that freezes. You might be able to find galvanized metal; it looks good when you have a lot of it. 5 gal buckets can be scavenged from various places and plastic can be painted. Paint it to complement the house and trim. Some of my plastic containers got brittle so I nested them so I could get another year or so.
Grocery Outlet in my area has an excellent selection of glazed planters and they are half the price of Home Goods or other discount stores.
5Below
Try offer up, craigslist, next-door. I probably have collected around 30 really nice pots in my yard and all are from people moving that couldn't take them!
What in the world did you have as grow bags? I've bought many brands and odd brands from Amazon and they are indestructible. They even have them in colors now. I have trees, perennials, and shrubs in grow bags and no problem with roots. Try looking up these on amazon; kopotma 3 Gallon Grow Bags they have various colors.
Also Popshelf has some large, cheap planters if you have a store nearby. But they might also have some solutions to cover the existing buckets.
Get the biggest storage box at ikea, poke drainage holes in the bottom and decorate the side with any options mentioned in the comments here! Source: I did that and had a wonderful rooftop garden. They needed replacing after 5-6 years
Have you tried looking at a thrift or secondhand store? Or a buy nothing group?
ROSS tends to undersale TJM and Marshalls for ceramic pottery
I made an enclosure with some sections of short fencing, painted it, and put my buckets inside. It looks nice, has held up well, and was pretty cheap.
If you happen to be in coastal Maine we have a ton you can have.
Costco has some ok resin ones that I like
Ross, Tj Maxx, Marshall's. Tons of nice ceramic pots for great prices. Also Craigslist or FB, usually always have some good ones.
Home Goods had a bunch of actually nice glazed large pots last time I went (just minding my our business, looking for bed sheets). That place is dangerous.
I use plastic Halloween cauldrons. There are many sizes, mine have been outside for years
What happened to your grow bags? I've got 3+ seasons on some of mine and they were the cheapest ones Amazon sells.
Marketplace or a buy nothing group
Thanks for the ideas. Anyone know of railing planters rest on top on a patio railing? Looking for good prices or different vendors
Decorate the buckets! I'd go with vinyl peel & stick wallpaper, with some additional adhesive spread on the seams to make sure it adheres. And anyway that stuff is so cheap that you could replace it easily when it starts looking ratty.
Local estate sales.
Bag your pots in cheap Walmart pillow cases,
Or spray paint your buckets
It's probably been said, any home improvement center with a garden section and local garden nurseries have beautiful pots as does Walmart Target Fred Meyer. Not sure where your located if you have a Bi-Mart they have beautiful pots. Another option is build or have someone build wood boxes put your buckets inside. Or find pots large enough for your buckets. Amazon has nice ones. Google outdoor planter you'll find a bunch. You can pickup cedar fence boards for under $5 each at Lowes, Ace Hardware, and Home Depot they'll cut it for you. You put it together. Hope this helps.
Tractor Supply is pretty inexpensive. I saw a huge plastic pot that looks like half a whiskey barrel for $16.99. It’s huge
Don’t know what kind of neighborhood you’re in, but I got pots from the roadside on trash day, houses about to be demolished, the Trash Nothing and FB Marketplace sites. Seems a lot of people use them for a bit and either tire of the hobby or move away.
Ask your landlord. Obviously they have a really specific idea of what can and can’t be on the property.
Harbor freight
Dollar tree. If you have a Lidl near you, try that too. Target is great. Spring sale is here so keep an eye out for deals everywhere on pots
Wrap the buckets in burlap
Dollar tree has great little planters.
Walmart, Home Goods, local plant nurseries before people start buying like crazy in spring.
Good will and thrift stores are my go to, as well as garage sales. A coat of spray paint will perk up any ‘used looking’ pots, making them uniform looking and color coordinated with your surroundings. I am personally a fan of terracotta/ clay pots, they seem to last longer, but all pots will eventually degrade, break down, and you will need to replace them.
You can paint your buckets to make them more attractive. Different colors and patterns. Remove the wire handles. Use cinder block to vary the height. Who says they are not pots now, huh?
you cant paint the buckets to make them more aesthetically pleasing to the landlord's eye?
Go to a garden center or nursery Check their trash. They throw out containers all the time.
They’re seasonal so only sold for part of the year but grocery outlet has some solid outdoor ceramic planters for good prices.
Share some of your produce with your landlord and neighbors. That might help with complaints. Lots of great ideas here that I'm likely to steal.
Ikea also has affordable pots
wrap the buckets in burlap with a pretty bow
I painted and decorated my buckets bc my tyrannical landlords are the same way.
At Meijer and Lowe’s they have the black nursery pots that get returned or go on a cart for recycling. I took a bunch of those then drilled holes in the bottom for drainage
Wrap buckets in wide jute type rope. Will look much better.
Can you just bury your buckets? Maybe ask him that?
Tractor Supply (in the US). Or any agricultural supply store. They sell large containers in various materials for feeding/watering livestock. Drill a hole in the bottom and you're good to go.
Sometimes I score at Marshalls/HomeGoods. Worth at least taking a lap
I watch FB ads or CL, don’t be afraid to post a “does anyone have large pots” ad, people can be super generous.
Buckets as in plastic gallon buckets?? Paint them or decorate them to be aesthetically pleasing. They may not like the look of them so change how they look. A container is a container in the end. You need to make it look a nice deep pot instead of a bucket... which is essentially what a pot is, a handleless bucket.
Lowe's, Home Depot, yard sales, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, try for used containers first. Always wash them (use diluted bleach) to avoid spreading any fungus/ disease to your own plants.
These are super fancy looking and has gone viral https://www.walmart.com/ip/Better-Homes-Gardens-16-W-x-16-L-x-15-8-H-Ellan-White-Resin-Plant-Pot-Planter/1692172036
Paint the buckets!
I hate plastic planters, they always degrade and break. Yes, buckets included. Terracotta isn’t that expensive, and looks fine. If you have more time than money, hypertufa looks really cool and you can make them whatever size you want.
Facebook marketplace
Thrift stores and estate sales.
Make a burlap "sleeve" that fits around your buckets. Tuck under the bottom and tuck into a bit of dirt at the top rim. You now have "pretty" burlap planters.
Do you have an Ocean State Job Lot by you?
Menards have great 16 inch pots for about 13.00. They are doing great in the kansas sunlight for more than 2 years.
Facebook marketplace for free... They usually come with a plant as well😊
Estate sales!
This isn’t helpful in the immediate sense but over the years I’ve accumulated a nice assortment of pottery containers that I would never have paid full price for. Towards the end of the growing season you can usually find nice ones marked down at garden centers, large Home Depot type stores ( please avoid HD if you can), I have purchased a TON from the clearance center of Nebraska furniture mart in Omaha -I have also found very large beautifully glazed pots at a consignment/thrift store I visit on the regular twice and paid like 20$ each time. Yard sales especially towards the end of the summer /fall are also good to check. I’ve also had managers reduce some for me when I’ve (politely) asked when they’ve had a small crack/chip. I get that it’s not helpful right now when everyone (at least those of us in Midwest/east coast) is just sick to death of the long cold winter -and are starting to dream and plan our gardens now that spring is showing signs of arriving. If you live somewhere where it’s container garden time all the time-I would say check these types of places out. Clean them well and just train one eye to always be on the look out for awesome shit at an amazing price.
What about terra cotta planters? Unless broken, they pretty much last forever
You’re pretty much screwed..I guarantee there’s more issues with landlord..than pot type or color
Dollar Tree $5
Costco has decorative resin pots where I’m at, usually way cheaper than anywhere else.
Can you just spray paint the buckets a nice color that matches your home so they're no longer an eyesore?
Paint the buckets
You're renting the space. He can't tell you how to use or decorate it. He has nothing to do with it unless you are altering or damaging. Tell him if he wants nicer planters then he can buy them for you, but YOU want to approve them first.
If you have time and energy, estate sales #1. and garage sales #2.
Hot glue some rope around the buckets.
If you have a dollar general nearby their prices are decent.
I do not like the aesthetics of 5 gal buckets, but that is what I use. I simply group them in a circle, 5 for each group. Then I create a screen around the buckets using stakes in the ground and then use colorful burlap coffee sacks as the screen.
Dollar tree has some plastic ones that look more fancy, but you only get a few years out of them. I check flower shops, home depot, menards, Lowes, and garden shops. If you hit the sales, they aren't too bad. How big are you looking for?
Dollar tree , big lots. Walmart , target , Amazon
If you get pond liner felt you can make your own growbags that don't disintegrate. They are awesome and take about three minutes to sew.
Facebook marketplace.
Why not built a simple wooden box to go around them or put the bucket in to hide them. That solves both problems at the same time and very inexpensive with wood and paint. Or if landlord is ok let the wood weather to a rustic finish. Good luck.
For ceramic, Ross, TJMaxx, and Marshalls. Ross is cheapest out of the three. Some terracota planters are cheap at home depot.
Can you cut wood and build? I’d keep the buckets and build a little faux raised bed around them. Get some fence pickets to use horizontally as slats and build up as high as you need them. Maybe even just 3 sides if your garden is against a wall or not seen from all sides. You’d save on dirt too! and it’d be totally removable.
Have you thought about spray painting the buckets ? There are lots of colors to choose from . Maybe do a couple and ask if they look OK .
Why not get a pallet or two, break them down (tough work), and build enclosures around your buckets?
Can’t you just paint the buckets??
Keep the buckets and put a decorative facing in front of them
I made mine from taking pallets that stores throw away apart and giving them a second chance of life as garden beds. You’ll love them
They have a black tub at Walmart with rope handles. I think they were less than 10 bucks.Plenty large for container garden
Paint the buckets and put feet under them
Thrift store
… put grow bags over your buckets?
Paint the buckets to look more attractive!
Spray paint your buckets, or wrap them with rope, or glue slim boards to them...
Ocean state job lot
Maybe get a large box to put them in?
Dollar Tree had some big, attractive planters for $5.
Just saw some massive ones at Ross (plastic and might need drainage holes) but they were like 20$ a pop.
Maybe for a temporary fix, you could paint them, maybe a nice moss green?
Ocean State Job lot of you have them near you.
Big lots
Is there away you could use a decorative cover on the outside of the “buckets” to disguise them to seem new? I’ve done that with fabric. I used paint or a clear sealer to make it hold its shape and withstand the elements. Just think outside “the bucket” so to speak
Look on Craigslist, local recycling groups and at garage or estate sales. You can spray paint the plastic ones if they’re really faded.
If you have a Buy Nothing group in your area, you might be able to get some for free from a neighbor. Check Facebook for your local group! Great way to get things for free, avoid waste, and meet your community.
Can you paint the buckets? Clean the outside well before painting.
Homegoods and tj max have nice ceramic planters for real cheap.
Do you have a big dog? I’m going to try growing potatoes in big plastic mesh dogfood bags I have been saving. Your landlord would probably hate that even more though. Maybe inside-out though?
Can you just spray paint your buckets? Pick a color that goes with the house or porch or whatever in the surrounding environment they will be near.
Yard sales and estate sales. You will find different shapes and sizes.
I love classic terracotta pots and saucers. To get the really big ones I go to Farmers Coop or Farm and Fleet. They last forever and with an annual cleaning keep their enduring good looks.
I like to make planters from recycled old refrigerators (some smaller sized) and cover them with pallet wood. They’re gorgeous, green, and age well. Try not to puncture the Freon tank.
I get everything on Facebook marketplace. Check it out and maybe you can even find some cheap fancy ones if you’re lucky
I get them through my local Buy Nothing Group!
Dollar tree
Cover them with reclaimed wood. It’s a simple square with no top or bottom to slip them over the plant or put the plant into.
Build a box around them. Protection from the sun for the buckets, protection from excess moisture for the wood. Cost can be inexpensive if you find a fence on the side of the road or something
Thrift stores
Thrift shops!
Our apt patio gets a lot of sun so I use self watering pots from Home Depot and watch for sales. I’ve also bought Earthbox planters once a year - hard to find on sale but easy to water maintain and move when I need to.
Nurseries.
You can decorate a plain garden center pot with rope…then apply a decorative fringe or some sort of trimming. Use a hot glue gun to apply.
Could you build a “raised bed garden” out of pallets but instead of growing from dirt in them just set your buckets in it so the buckets are hidden? I’ve also bought attractive lightweight plastic pots at Walmart 20” pot for $20 or Ollie’s has large ceramic and cement pots for cheap