8 Places To Find Free Gardening Containers

Do you have a green thumb and a tight budget?

As a gardening enthusiast, I’ve discovered fantastic ways to score free gardening containers.

Join me on a journey to uncover the hidden gems where you can find everything from old pots to unique finds.

From local businesses to roadside pickups, we’ll explore eight places to save money and enhance your gardening experience with reimagined containers.

Location	Description	Pros	Cons
Big Box Home Improvement Stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s)	Ask staff in the gardening department about used containers from plants they sell.	* Readily available * Often free or very cheap * Variety of sizes	* May be slightly dirty or worn * Limited selection on any given day
Freecycle/Buy Nothing Groups (Online)	Online communities where people give away unwanted items, including gardening containers.	* Wide variety of options * Free * Environmentally friendly	* Requires membership/account creation * Selection depends on what people are giving away
Recycling Centers	Check the plastics or scrap metal bins for potential containers.	* Free * Unique finds possible * Environmentally friendly	* Requires cleaning and preparation * May not be food-safe * May not have drainage holes
Online Marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp)	Look for free or cheap gardening containers in the “free” or “for sale” listings.	* Browse from the comfort of home * Wide variety of options possible	* Requires account creation * May involve picking up the item * Quality and condition may vary
Curbside Giveaways	Look for unwanted items on the curb during bulk trash collection days.	* Free * Potential for unique finds	* Selection depends entirely on what people are discarding * May be damaged or unusable
Friends, Neighbors, and Family	Ask around to see if anyone has unwanted pots or containers.	* Free * May get good quality items * Builds community spirit	* Selection depends on what people have available * May require some asking around
Local Businesses (Bakeries, Restaurants)	Ask if they have any used buckets, food grade containers, or crates they are discarding.	* Free * Often sturdy and good quality	* May require multiple visits * Not guaranteed to have what you need
Community Garden Swap Days	Attend local community garden events where people swap plants and gardening supplies.	* Free * Meet other gardening enthusiasts * Potential for unique finds	* Relies on attending specific events * Selection depends on what others bring

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Local businesses

Many local businesses will gladly give away used containers, especially if they’re taking up too much space. Just be sure to ask politely and explain what you plan to use them for.

Plus, supporting local businesses is a great way to give back to your community.

Friends and family

Connect with friends and family to gather free gardening containers.

They may have spare pots, planters, or barrels lying around.

A quick phone call or friendly visit can lead to a valuable contribution to your garden.

By reusing and repurposing, you not only save money but also promote sustainable practices within your community.

Community gardens

Community gardens are a great way to get involved in your neighborhood, meet new people, and grow your own food.

They’re also a great way to save money on groceries and learn more about gardening.

Many community gardens offer free or low-cost plots of land to residents, and some even provide tools and seeds.

If you’re interested in starting a community garden, there are many resources available to help you get started.

Schools and universities

Educational institutions like schools and universities can be treasure troves for free gardening containers.

Check with the school office or maintenance department to see if they have any unwanted pots, trays, or containers that they would be willing to donate.

These containers may have been used for science experiments or other projects and are often available for free or at a minimal cost.

Nurseries and garden centers

Nurseries and garden centers are wonderful places to find free gardening containers. They often have used or damaged pots that they are willing to give away.

You can also find free containers at yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.

Be sure to check the containers carefully for any cracks or damage before using them.

Craigslist and Freecycle

Craigslist and Freecycle are two excellent options for finding free gardening containers.

Craigslist is a classified ads website where people can post items they want to sell, give away, or trade.

Freecycle is a community-based website where people can give away or request items for free.

Both websites have sections dedicated to gardening, where you can find a variety of containers, from basic pots and planters to raised beds and trellises.

Dumpsters

Dumpsters are another great place to find free gardening containers. Just be sure to ask permission from the property owner before dumpster diving.

Many stores, restaurants, and construction sites are happy to let people take their used containers.

And you never know what you might find—from large plastic buckets to sturdy wooden crates. Just be sure to clean the containers thoroughly before planting your new garden.