Container gardening doesn’t just make fresh food and flowers possible in small spaces—it’s also a chance to garden smarter and greener. Choosing eco-friendly pots can reduce waste, support sustainability, and still give your plants everything they need to thrive. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 Traditional plastic pots often crack in the sun, end up in landfills, and can leach chemicals into the soil. By switching to sustainable materials, you’re not just helping your plants—you’re helping the planet, too. 🌱 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟏. 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 & 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐬 * Natural, breathable, and timeless * Keep roots cooler in warm weather * Downside: can dry out faster, so monitor watering 𝟐. 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 * Rustic and durable, especially with cedar or redwood * Can be lined to prevent rotting * Great for larger container gardens 𝟑. 𝐅𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐬 * Lightweight and reusable * Excellent root aeration = healthier plants * Fold flat for easy storage in the off-season 𝟒. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝 & 𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 * Buckets, crates, tin cans, and even old boots can become planters * Low-cost and creative * Make sure to drill drainage holes 𝟓. 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐬 * Made from materials like coconut coir, peat, or rice husks * Great for seedlings—plant directly in the soil without disturbing roots * Naturally break down over time 𝟔. 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 * Recycled galvanized tubs or steel planters are long-lasting * Add a modern or farmhouse look * Watch for heat in full sun (line or shade if needed) * 🍂 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐩 As you swap out summer blooms for fall plants like mums, kale, and ornamental grasses, consider trying at least one eco-friendly container. Small swaps add up over time! 🌟 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 Eco-friendly containers combine style, function, and sustainability. Whether you love the earthy look of clay, the convenience of fabric bags, or the creativity of upcycling, there’s a planet-friendly option for every gardener. 👉 What’s the most creative container you’ve ever used? Share your eco-friendly container ideas with the group!

I hope this is the correct thread. Im new to the group. Any who. I'm located in CO 6a zone and I'm always looking for new ways to do more inside during those cold months. I recently saw the greenstalk Vertical Garden at one of my local nurseries. It was empty at the time I saw it as they had just put it together. Anyone have experience with one? Pros/Cons? Do you use it indoors? If yes what do you have in it? I'm thinking about getting one just not sure what to use it for besides herbs and lettuce inside

You step outside, admire your container garden, and then—yikes! Ragged holes in the leaves, sometimes chewed down to the stems. The culprits? Often caterpillars. While these little guys eventually turn into butterflies or moths, they can wreak havoc on your plants in the meantime. 🔎 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐟 𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐤𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 (only the veins remain) 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 (frass) on the soil or leaves 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 where caterpillars may be hiding 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 - Green, inching caterpillars that love leafy greens. 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 – Large, green, and hungry; especially fond of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 & 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 – Can wipe out seedlings overnight. 🌿 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝟏. 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤 & 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 The simplest method—inspect plants daily and pick off caterpillars. Relocate them to a “sacrificial” area or compost bin. 𝟐. 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 Ladybugs, parasitic wasps, and birds are natural predators that keep populations in check. 𝟑. 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 Use floating row covers or fine mesh to keep caterpillars from laying eggs on leaves. 𝟒. 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐬 Products like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) target caterpillars specifically without harming bees or other beneficial insects. Neem oil can also help deter them. 𝟓. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 Keep your containers well-fed and watered—strong plants bounce back from a little munching much better than stressed ones. 🦋 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 Not all caterpillars are bad—many turn into beautiful butterflies. If you can spare a few leaves, consider letting some stay. For plants you rely on heavily (like your salad greens or tomatoes), control is the best choice. 👉 Have you found caterpillars in your containers this season? Were they pests—or future butterflies? Share your photos and tips!