Idea for DIY (square) fabric pots

[kamyo]

So I really like smart pots, but they get expensive when doing outdoor stuff. There are some cheaper variations online, but still rather expensive. I've seen some DIY tutorials on making them, but I really don't know if I feel like cutting out a circle and sewing a bunch of stuff. Call me lazy, but I was looking for a cheap and easy way to make some fabric pots. Then I had the idea to make square pots using the same technique used to make origami cubes (minus the top, of course.)

So the idea is to cut out a bunch of squares of landscape fabric and glue them together into a square pot with some heavy duty fabric glue or something similar. Anyone tried anything like this? I'll give it a go in the next week or so and report back.

edit: should be noted that I'm only going for 3-5 gallon pots, nothing too big.

 

[exploziv]

did some a while back, not hard to make, the problem I had with them was they were growing some kind of white fungus on the outside, because of the high humidity. That's why i never used them again indoors. but I have some fabric left, so I may try some bigger ones for vegetables in my garden sometimes in the future. to see it they'll really improve the yeld..

good luck with your try!

 

[scruffy]

Fibrous stuff like landscape fabric is tough to glue properly, the fibers keep tearing out of the fabric since it's not woven. You could try clamping each seam, but that kind of defeats the speed of gluing. When it comes to sewing, round is just as easy as square. Also remember that lots of adhesives are going to outgas for some time as they cure. I'd recommend a silicone based adhesive, just have to work it into the fibers so you glue more than just the surface fibers together. The silicone will stay flexible and waterproof. I'd see if you can source fabric more like the smarties than regular landscape cloth. Let us know how you make out.

Also- look up "frenched" seams, really just folded over, but that would make for a much stronger seam, on the side at least.

 

[exploziv]

I sew mine. If you don't sew right on the margins on the fabric, it won't tear. to be safe I doubled all the seames.
I made my square ones by using a long section that included 2 sides of the pot and the bottom, to which I sew the other 2 sides (3 sides to sew on each one, 2 sides and a bottom). there you go, pot ready!

 

[Granger2]

I'd like to have about 25 sq. pots 6x6x6 for mothers in coco. I've got a lot of 100% polyester fabric that I bought for putting under pond liner. This is the product the mfgr. recommends and sells for that purpose.

It looks similar to landscape fabric. It's fuzzy. I think it should hold up. What kind of thread and needle did you use, explosiv_gbb? Did you use big stitches or what? Can you give more details? Thanks. -granger

 

[exploziv]

i just used a sturdy needle that won't bend when putting it thru 2 layers of the fabric and 100% cotton thread. i just run the thread from one side to another, keeping the distance between needle holes under 1cm. then came another time over, trying to go between the first pass holes. start and end of the thread was secured with multiple knots.

I haven't used landscape fabric either, just used some unwoven polyester fabric I managed to buy for a good price.

 

[bigshrimp]

I do mine 10in x 10 x 11 and drop them in a milk crate. Rigid smart pot!

Cut in a T shape and you only have to sew two edges. They end up being about 6.3 gallons.

 

[DreamsofTesla]

I do mine 10in x 10 x 11 and drop them in a milk crate. Rigid smart pot!

Cut in a T shape and you only have to sew two edges. They end up being about 6.3 gallons.

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That's a great idea. I don't see any reason you couldn't do that same thing with scrap cardboard. It'll compost down, but should be just fine for outdoor.

Hey that just gave me a great idea. I'm getting ready to get my germination going for the spring. For planting stealth, I'm going to pile up a bunch of logs and yard waste to make a very informal raised bed. (This is part of hugelkulture, http://www.richsoil.com/hugelkultur/.) I do have some in the works with the big piles, for vegetables, flowers, and herbs.

I don't want the weed ones to be noticeable, though, just more of a lip to hold some dirt into place. Some cardboard can be used for stability, then fill with compost. Just using branches instead of milk cartons.

 

[exploziv]

IMO, cardboard would need drainage holes.. and would not allow same aeration of the soil.

 

[DreamsofTesla]

Right, it is really a sheet mulch. I was thinking not fully lining with a solid layer, but for true outdoor use. It will work great for what I'm thinking, sorry that's a bit OP but the idea popped in my head when I read this!

 

[kamyo]

Awesome ideas. The t shape is what I was thinking of also. Just end up sewing/gluing the sides. I've never sewn anything in my life, but I suppose I could give it a shot. Also thinking about felt, canvas, or burlap, but the fabric price seems a lot higher with that stuff.

 

[Granger2]

Thanks, explosiv. -granger

 

[urbanfog]

I have been making my own and I use a heat sealer on the cloths edges to melt them together. Seems to work fairly well

 

[Me2]

I use landscape fabric for 8ft x 2ft garden beds, make a timber frame with legs out of 3x2`s. Drape the fabric over so it hangs inside the frame like a hammock and staple it on. Fill with compost (about 600L for an 8x2), the fabric handles the weight no prob. Last one lasted 4 years outside in all weathers before it gave up the ghost, ripped and dumped the compost on the deck .

 

[Granger2]

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=262977

This is the best I've seen and he did all the math for finished pot sizes. I would use the low VOC adhesive he has listed later in the thread. Good luck. -granger