id look to garbage pick some new ones in fall ...

ken

"Garbage"??

I may not be looking for too snazzy but they aint likely to be found at the curb.

Yes, often larger containers are more expensive. That's normal.

As alternatives, there are ways you can make your own containers, use alternative containers like bins or garbage cans that can be adapted to be large containers, or purchase/make surrounds for larger nursery pots.

Yes, often larger containers are more expensive. That's normal.

For sure larger is more expensive than small but as one who is at nurseries too much during the season I am seeing much more expensive the past couple of seasons. (Maybe it is more unique to my location).

Everything is going up in price. Been grocery shopping lately?

Yup.

Actually, trashy (pun intended) as Ken's suggestion was, he's onto something -- people often toss their plastic planters at the end of the season

These pots are usually ones that one buys from the nursery pre-planted. I dont think these will likely work for what I am looking for (mostly in terms of size).

I think I will need to be patient as there are usually at least one sale at a nursery in the "regular" season.

dont you have any gizmo based thingees way up north ... craigs list... neighborhood share sites... free cycle ....etc ...

my bro lives in ann arbor... they have a couple sites that you list what you have.. and peeps contact you in short order to come grab stuff ... im simply amazed what they get for free .... though i often wondered if its because its a college town with a large transient population ... related to the university ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=free+cycle+canada&t=ffsb&ia=web

craigs list... neighborhood share sites.

Yup. Good idea.

I don’t know if you have ”dollar” stores around, but I’ve found some at ours in the past. Usually in a color I didn’t want, so I’d paint them.

Another good suggestion Jinx.

I don't know what you consider large, but think of containers not normally used as planters. The round plastic containers used to keep beverages iced at parties, plastic storage containers, garbage cans, farm animal watering troughs, wooden crates lined with weed block, etc. My BIL had a hollowed out tree cut down and I took a couple pieces and use them as planters. Let your imagination go wild. If you don't like the color, spray paint works wonders.

Sorry, I don't have a better picture, but this is a farm animal watering container I have in front of my window.

Those hollowed-out tree plants are really imaginative - I like them!

After the last horse died, I repurposed the really big water trough into a raised bed for strawberries.

I use those $5 plastic 20 gallon buckets for several of my dwarf fruit trees, recycled cat litter bucket for smaller bushes and tree starts, and also a couple of old trash cans for larger ones. But in that "pot orchard" I am not worrying about attractiveness.

I have also rescued nice undamaged (or with perhaps an insignificant chip or two) ceramic pots from the curb (also some plastic ones.) For the most part, the largest ceramic ones are heavier than I want to deal with except for annuals (so I can store them in the garage over winter).

We also have a couple of stores locally that carry close outs or discounted items, where I have found larger pots from time to time: Marc's, Old Time Pottery are two.

The RR just cut down 2 big cottonwood trees nearby, that turned out to be hollow inside - I may have to go down and snatch one or two of those sections - thanks Functionthenlook!

I buy used mineral tubs from ranches for l ess than $10.00. Drill some drain holes then shell out big.bucks for enough dirt or potting soil To fill them up

Our Lowes and Homedepot both have spots to recycle pots...after the big spring sale they often have lots 20 gallons tree pots, then thru the summer a few, plus 15 gallon....usually you have to check often or early.

I do recycle pots there, but never thought to check for large pots to take home!

Did not know that,I'll

I rent from a landlord who doesn't want me digging up the lawn, but will let me plant anything I want in pots. Large containers of any material have been $$$ in my area for at least as long as I've been using them. I check the local home stores every year, looking for markdowns on those big expensive pots and have a nice collection now of pots 16" to 24" diameter. I usually wait for 75% off sales. They go on sale whenever the store wants to clear them out for something else. Usually in the fall, though I have seen a midsummer clearance when the store brought in a collection of pots in a different color scheme, and sold the spring ones at a discount.

That blue pot visible is 20" in diameter. There are more pots hidden under the plant matter. Plastic pots this size go for $40+ in my area, which is why I don't pay full price.

The pandemic has made gardening the "in thing" and even terracotta pots are in short supply and pricier than usual. Before the pandemic I found large containers on sale for $10 on Lowes., set of 3 ceramic pots for $15 at shoprite. Big lots is another place to find cheaper pots. Also, have a look at trash bins at Walmart/Target/ikea, some of those make very nice containers. Make holes with a hot screwdriver or such.

Wait for the fall sales- mid summer is a bad time as everyone is buying them. If you shop for them in the fall when they're making room for holiday displays you can find bargains.

I found the plastic whisky barrels for $10 one year and bought eight- wish I'd gotten twenty lol. They are perfect to scatter in my landscape for summer color- right now they're full of Sunpatiens.

As far as indoor pots- I use glazed ceramic and find that you just have to be ready to strike when you see them. Years ago I ran into a huge display of ceramic pots at Kroger. I had cats at the time (so few indoor plants) but knew that someday I'd want those pots, so I bought a few. Took them home admiring the perfect shades of colors against my decor and went back the next morning and bought all of that color they had and shelved them all in the garage. And sure enough years later after my kitties were gone I pulled them out and now have more perfectly colored ceramic pots than I will even need.

It's all timing IMO.

Timing and luck I would say. Sales are not as generous as in previous years. In my area, the selection is not as big as it has been in previous years. I think businesses are trying to recoup some of the pandemic losses. I also need some large pots so I'm going to see what August and September brings. Facebook Marketplace has interesting finds from time to time with decent pricing.