How to Reuse a Margarine Tub for Home Gardening

Once empty, margarine tubs can be given a practical new purpose by people who grow plants at home. Provided the container is clean and properly adapted, it can temporarily hold seedlings, organise seeds or store small accessories.

How can a margarine tub support plant growing?

The shape of a margarine tub makes it useful for a range of small gardening jobs. It can be used to sort seeds, keep labels together or collect items such as clips, string and small tools.

It can also work as a temporary container for seedlings. In this situation, the base must be adapted to allow water to drain away, as excess moisture can damage roots.

How do you turn a margarine tub into a seedling container?

Wash the tub thoroughly to remove all food residue, then allow it to dry. Next, make small drainage holes in the bottom with a suitable tool, taking care not to cut yourself.

Fill it with a growing medium suitable for the species, then plant the seedling or seed at the recommended depth. Place the container where it receives the level of light the plant needs, and control watering to prevent waterlogging.

What can be organised inside the tub?

A lidded container can become a small storage box for seeds and gardening accessories. Labels, wire, string, clips and other small objects that often get lost among larger tools can all be kept separately inside it.

When storing seeds, only keep materials that are completely dry. Labelling each container with the species name and, where needed, the storage date also makes organisation easier.

What should you consider when reusing it?

The tub should be undamaged, with no cracks or sharp edges. If it is to be used for seedlings, it must be cleaned and fitted with suitable drainage. Very small containers can also restrict root development, so they should be treated as a temporary option when the plant requires more room.

It is also not advisable to leave improvised plastic containers outdoors for extended periods without checking how well they withstand sunlight and weather conditions. Therefore, reusing a margarine tub can be a straightforward way to reduce waste and create useful resources for home gardening.