Of course you can. I do :)

Linda

No the pots are not toxic to plants. Getting something second hand, there is a possibility something was in it you wouldn't want. You can dunk wash them with bleach, rinse a couple of times, and be good to go.

Cheers

PC

I switch what PC mentioned and rinse off residue first, then dip in 200 ppm "bleach" and just allow to air dry before using. The chlorine will evaporate off.

I have a huge supply of pots, cell packs and trays that have had many years of use. 95% were purchased used and I take special care to isolate reused material until the first sanitation. You just never know if prior user had bacterial or other pest issues that are as bad as "Toxic".

Thanks guys. I can't see a recycle number on the bottom of these nursery pots, just a MADE IN CHINA which concerns me. After researching more, I found out numbers 3,6&7 on the bottom of containers are toxic plastics. Numbers 2,4&5 are supposed to be ok for recycled plastic containers.

This forum can't provide you with the absolute assurance you may be looking for on unknown pots, and if you are uncomfortable with using them, your best bet is to find or buy some others you like better. Sometimes peace of mind is underrated. BTW, when can I come by an take those extra pots off your hands? ;-)

The recycling number system has little to do with toxicity, and can mislead you. You know, the plastic coffee cups to go? Or the plasticware you get at the burger place - those are polystyrene #6. And #6 is what many of our favorite tomato starter pots (warning, choice language)

Cheers

PC

You are assuming I guess that any "toxicity" in the plastic itself is somehow going to be absorbed by the plants and deposited in the parts you eat? Plants simply don't work that way. Anything that is on the pot, that is water soluble and that could be absorbed by the plant is washed/rinsed off first.

A more valid concern is if these nursery pots are large enough capacity for plants you are putting in them to grow and thrive. With few exceptions, the average pot size used by landscapers is 5 gallons max. That isn't nearly big enough for most tomato plants to grow in.

Dave

Indeed, red solo cups are toxic. But not to humans or plants. Just to the environment.

https://www.mwatoday.com/news/green-tips/red-solo-cups.aspx

Since commercial growers for the retail trade use the black plastic pots (not seed flats or starter packs) to grow and sell all manner of edibles - tomatoes, peppers, tomatillos, artichokes, eggplants and all manner of berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.) as well as various culinary herbs and fruiting trees - it is hard to imagine their doing so in a supposedly toxic container.

FWIW, I grow my tomatoes in 20G black plastic pots that I have reused for this purpose going on 10 years.........haven't keeled over yet :-))

Now I have a more pressing issue than root bound tomato starts- how to get that Toby Keith SOLO cups songs out of my mind !

Ha ha Berrypie. I have the same problem. It was a fun video though :)

Linda

''most black plastic seedling pots are (#6) polystyrene, and polystyrene has been "linked" to carcinogen leaching.'' Oh dear me! Woe betide us all. Does this mean most of us will be dead before the end of the century? ｡◕‿◕｡

#3 - PVC, commonly used for irrigation pipe

#6 Polystyrene - styrofoam cups, take out containers

#7 BPA, Polycarbonate, Lexan - used for sippy cups, plastic water bottles, etc.

The numbers apply to ability to be recycled.

The main concern with growing vegetables in recycled plastic containers in that the container may harbor a pathogen or insect eggs. Wash them before reusing, wipe with diluted bleach if a problem is suspected.

or line your containers with turkey basting/cooking bags … with holes for drainage, of course ...