Gardening Containers for the Precariat, or Soon-To-Be Precariat

Perhaps Brits, because of the economist Guy Standing, may be more familiar with the term, "the Precariat", than are the rest of us in the world.  It refers to a growing group, "those leading increasingly precarious lives", thanks primarily to Globalization, Financialization, and the Rule of the Plutocrats.  Currently, most of us are either already in or about to be in that group.  That's one reason I've created this blog.

In order to post more often, we're going to shorten each piece; so for example, this article will cover only two or three of the many gardening containers you probably already own.  More containers will be listed in succeeding posts.  As I am a very slow, hunt & peck typist, that will enable me to post articles every other day or so.  :)
Let's begin.

1.  Take an empty gallon-jug plastic milk carton, turn it on its side, & cut it approximately in half.  With a sharp knife, cut a slit just below the bottom end of the handle.  Then either continue cutting around the jug with the knife, or insert any regular pair of scissors into the slit and do the same.  The top half (without the cap) can be used as a mini-greenhouse.  You'll need two bottoms.  With the tip of the knife, cut holes in the lowest portion of one of the bottoms to facilitate drainage of excess water.  Nest that one inside the second bottom, which will serve as secondary containment of excess water.  Even though the bottoms basically are the same size, they are so flexible that the nesting is done easily...the inner bottom will crimp in places so that it fits into the outer one.  This new "pot" would be one to use on your first transplant from a germinating tray or a small cup.

[I don't mind that my containers have the old labels on the outside--- vinegar, Creamland Dairy, or whatever.  If you're into both form and function, you can always paint the outside of the homemade pots, or attach decorative cloth to them, or do something similar.]

2,   Take an empty two-quart plastic vinegar bottle and follow a similar procedure as described above.  The primary difference is that your container is not cut in half; the cutting takes place about two-thirds of the way up toward the top...where the jug starts to narrow.  If it has a built-in handle, the first slit would again be just below the bottom end of that handle.  Punch holes in the lowest portion of the bottom again, but this time you'll have to find a lid, or saucer, or tray of some sort to use as a catch basin for excess drainage.  [I've never tried nesting two of these pots, but maybe it's possible.]  This is another home-made pot that would be good for your initial transplant of some seedling out of the germinating tray or small cup (after the true leaves have developed).  Again, the top portion of the original container can be used--- without the cap --- as a mini-greenhouse...for seedlings recently germinated, and perhaps in an area that's sometimes a bit too cool.

3.  Do the same procedure with any size Miracle Whip or Mayonnaise jar...the smallest ones can be used as germinating cups, the largest ones used for your initial transplant from a germinating tray or cup.  This time, though, unless you have some heavy-duty scissors, all the cutting will have to be done with a sharp knife.  Those jars are a much heavier plastic.  Wear gloves and be especially careful not to stab yourself...cutting a round container with a sharp knife can be tricky.

More to come.

Happy Trails, and Be Well