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This may be the best re-use of our Better Bag that I’ve come across. Cut drainage holes in the bottom and grow lettuce. Thanks to customer Kerry Michaels for coming up with this idea and the step by step instructions. This is such a cool way to re-use one of our lunch-size bags. Honestly, I had no clue that growing lettuce could be so simple. Sounds like a great weekend project!
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i don’t grow anything as i have killed every plant i’ve ever brought into my home or purchased for outdoors, but i think this is a great idea.
May 18th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I noticed you do many of the “deal” posts. I thought you might be interested in a post I just put up about Whole Foods – http://www.onefrugalfoodie.com/2009/05/18/look-what-i-bought-at-whole-foods-for-just-5-dollars/
May 18th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
This is an ingenious and beautiful idea. Whole Foods should have a lineup of these on display!
May 21st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Why stop at just at lettuce, I do most of my gardening
in pots. Let’s me grow beans, cucumbers, pea’s, etc
where there is sun in my yard, patio, deck, etc.
And i usually get a good yield of vegetables, when there
done i pull the plants boost up the soil and plant a
second crop.
And I can grow all summer long lettuce, peas, etc. that
usually just like the cooler months. In pots or bags they
can be kept in the morning in the sun and carried to cooler
area for the heat of the day.
Happy Planting
May 27th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
this is a great idea but what about those of us that live in a nyc apartment with no window ledge and indirect sunlight? any ideas for us?
May 27th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
That is an awesome idea. But I live in a Chicago apartment with no window ledges and no balcony. I’d love to grow some of my own veggies any suggestions?
May 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
The secret to growing great lettuce is to grow it in containers in really good soil, so this is a good idea — though a rigid-sided object like a pot will give you a stronger root system. Last summer, I grew 15 different kinds of lettuce and lots of mesclun, and once the warm weather comes, this is one crop that grows like crazy! Free organic food that is really good for you!
May 27th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I must have missed the point: How is this a GOOD use of a reusable grocery bag? It’s certainly a NOVEL use, but not a particularly good one. Why would you not use a reusable container more suitable for growing a plant, and reserve the grocery bag for, say, carrying groceries?
May 27th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
@Russ: Even reusable bags do wear out. When they start becoming a bit worn, small holes sometimes wear in the bottom, or sharp items poke holes here and there, then I think this would be a great use of them.
May 28th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Apartment dwellers, not to worry. Yes, it’s possible to grow herbs and/or veggies by your window, I’ve been growing in my dining room for 9 years. With no window ledge, I found a bookcase at a garage sale, cut it down to proper height, and happily grow chives, basil, dill and parsley all summer long. What a delight to pick and eat fresh herbs at a moment’s notice. Also, look in local thrift stores or garage sales for narrow tables to fit under the window. Hint: Make sure to keep them moist as the sun will dry them out quickly if planted in pots.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I live in Houston, where they spray insecticide from trucks throughout the Houston metro area.
I have stopped growing my greens in my yard because they would be contaminated by this insecticide and there is no info on what it is or how much is absorbed by the plant, or whether it would rinse off with water. Unfortunate but true.
Check with your city/town whether they spray against mosquitos. They normally do it at night.
May 29th, 2009 at 1:56 am
[...] yourself with little space but wanting to grow some veggies? How about this nifty idea from Whole Foods? Take your reusable grocery bag, preferably the ones with Tyvek or some kind of plastic, not canvas [...]
May 29th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Hi – I am the person who did the how to for the resuable grocery bag. I’m happy to report that the bag is holding up really well. I’m also growing a large tomato plant in one of the big bags and that too is thriving.
I have gotten several crops of lettuce from the small bag, and don’t see that there is any downside to having the bag be flexible.
These bags make great, low cost containers that are durable and attractive. You can use them to plant almost anything.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:08 pm