Like many others I use packing peanuts in my flower containers. I don't have to use as much potting soil, and it keeps my containers lighter. This year I went to go change out the soil in my biggest container. I had to hand pick out each peanut from the soil. What a chore! When I went to replace the peanuts this time, I put them in an onion net bag and tied the bag off. Next time I go to change out the potting soil it will be a snap!
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Recyclable packing peanuts made from peanut starch make a great sculpting medium for an activity for kids. Wet the ends and press them together to build fantastic sculptures.
Save all the styrofoam peanuts you get in packages. When storing potatoes, apples, onions or fruit, just sprinkle the peanuts between layers to keep the items separated and allow air circulation.
You can use a large needle with fishing line to string together packing peanuts for draping over trees in the yard at Christmas. It won't hurt the tree, but if you live where there is significant wind, forget it.
While teaching visual arts and elementary math, packing peanuts were desirable freebies from my students' parents. They served as visual counters for math operations.
If you have extra packing peanuts that you want to reuse, then you can put them between your toes while polishing and doing your pedicure.
Do you have some Styrofoam packaging peanuts lying around? String them together using a large needle and sturdy thread (or fishing line).
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I placed packing peanuts in my plants, now they emit a horrible odor. What can I do?
Hardiness Zone: 10b
By Lev from Sarasota, FL
Remove them, good luck.
Packing peanuts are made from oil products and I strongly recommend against ever using them in a planter. They do eventually dissolve, and then the plants take up the residue. It could kill the plant.
Yes. Remove them from the pot and all the soil. Toss it in a hazardous waste receptacle. Wash the pot 1st with hot water and soap. Then use a scrub brush and scrub the inside vigorously with vinegar. Sprinkle in some baking soda, scrub some more.
Wash again with just hot water (no soap). Let dry in hot sun. Take plant and gently rinse off ALL the soil, you now have a bare-root plant. Trim off any really sick looking branches and leaves closely so there are no little "nubs". Fill the pot with "Potting Mix", not "Garden Soil" as Potting soil is designed for potted plants.
Garden soil is fine, but Potting Mix has special things that help both in maintaining water in the soil yet designed to let excess drain away properly. Also for an ill plant it is fortified with a low/gentle level of fertilizer for starting plants off on a new life. If you want something for drainage in the bottom of the pot, use clean pebbles about twice the size of peas. These can also be bought at the nursery.
Be careful using vinegar around plants. Vinegar is a natural weed killer and it will kill plants. So if you use vinegar as suggested make sure it is totally removed from the pot before using the pot for your plant.
Where can I purchase the non-biodegradable, non-dissolvable packing peanuts for large planters?
By Deanna H
I am assuming you want to fill in on the bottom of a planter so you don't have to use so much soil? A better way to do this is to use soda cans.
Recently I was to the U Haul store (where you get boxes, rent a truck, and bubble wrap etc.). They have bags of packing peanuts.
Stationery stores, UPS, etc BUT I would check with local drug stores, or shops which get in alot of glassware to sell, etc. You'd be surprised at what they are willing to give instead of throwing out. Also, check your local recycling center. They may have an idea for you to check out.
Could I crush the packing material for making a potting soil? Will this packing material be dissolved in water, making a mess?
By Sabine Wei
Does anyone know where I can find a pattern for a Kansas City Royals baseball tissue box cover made out of plastic canvas?
By Linda from Kansas City,MO
Create icicles indoors for the holidays. You just need a needle and thread and foam peanuts. This is a page about making Christmas decorations using packing peanuts.
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Looking for uses for packing peanuts? Use them to create a drainage layer in the bottom of your planter.
To lighten the weight of a planter (indoors or outside), fill the bottom quarter of your pot or planter with packing peanuts or Styrofoam.
