Polystyrene boxes

I have a few polystyrene boxes which I am loath to throw away-perishable food deliveries mostly.
They are the size of a picnic coolbox, and I have looked at them a few times and thought they will come in useful one day-but for what? Any suggestions?
ariadae

 

Lots of uses , pop your teracota pots in over winter stop the pot from cracking and keep the frost at bay and the plant warm

Strorage boxes for dahlia tubers

Grow veg in them like carrots



Spruce

 

My one currently has parsnips & artichokes in damp sawdust. Outside but frost free.

 

I used one over the hole I made in the ice on my pond.

If you upturn them over the hole it dont refreeze.

Assuming you have a pond.:D

 

Like Spruce, my first thought would to be to use them for storing Dahlia tubers over winter. If you have a lot, you can break them into small pieces and use them instead of stones at the bottom of pots. They will do the same job as stones, but in addition polystyrene does eventually get waterlogged, so they will act as a water store in the same way as the moisture rententive granules - that are so expensive.

 

you could ruff up the outside with a wire brush,then paint stone coloured, and plant up with something, ive done this over the years with fish boxes, turned them into alpine planters,really quite smart looking.



myra

 

Yes, thought about doing this. think it might make a bit of heat if I half fill with horse manure, top up with compost and use as a grow bag?

Thanks for tips,everyone
Aria

 

ah I have a nice big Polystyrene box but being my first year the biggest issue is knowing what depth plants require. My box is 6 inches deep so I could start things off in ok but what could I grow in it full time

 

Lettuce, radishes, mizuma, onions, stump rooted carrots, beetroot, chives and garlic.

Don't grow comfrey, burdock or oak trees.

 

[size=large]I actually couldn't bring myself to throw away thick polystyrene as well. I must have stored it for at least one and a half year, then it was all battered and I threw it away![/size]

[size=large]Although now thinking about it I could have used it between two pots in the winter to keep the roots warm.[/size]