Tall planters can be a lovely way to decorate your porch, patio or yard. However, filling them with soil can be extremely heavy and expensive.

You can save money and make your planters easier to move by filling them about halfway with another filler material before adding soil and plants.

Styrofoam

Styrofoam, also known as EPS or expanded polystyrene foam, is one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. You’ll find it in most packaging material, as well as in containers for water bottles, milk, ice cream and other foods.

It’s a good insulator and can be used to help keep the inside of a building warm. However, it’s a poor conductor of heat, which means it doesn’t allow the transfer of energy through it like other materials do. This makes it an excellent choice for insulation in walls, roofs and other structures.

If you’re looking for a way to make your planter last longer and avoid wasting space, look for ways to fill it with Styrofoam instead of soil. It will save you money and you’ll be able to reuse it year after year.

A common way to use Styrofoam is to make a “screen” that sits at the bottom of a planter or raised garden bed. This screen prevents the soil from clogging drainage holes in the bottom of the planter and helps the planters remain stable.

To use a screen, cut a piece to the size and shape of the bottom of your planter or raised garden bed. Place it in the bottom of the planter, just above the drain hole. Then, add a layer of soil and plant the plants.

If you don’t have a screen, you can also place a layer of newspaper, landscape fabric or cheesecloth in the bottom of your planter before adding soil and plants. This will help prevent the soil from sliding down the sides of the planter and causing problems for the roots.

You can also fill a planter tip with any light material you find lying around your home, such as empty plastic containers or packing pillows. These are inexpensive, eco-friendly and will help the environment by keeping non-biodegradable products out of landfills.

Canned Food

Canned food is one of the most important ingredients to have on hand in your survival pantry. It’s a quick and easy way to provide your body with the nutrients it needs in case of an emergency. It also provides many conveniences, such as a long shelf life, minimal prep time, and budget-friendly prices.

The foods you need to consider for your stockpile include canned vegetables, fruit, tuna fish, and meats. These foods are often available in a variety of flavors and are high in essential vitamins and minerals.

Unlike fresh and frozen foods, canning preserves most of the nutrients found in a product’s ingredients. The process involves processing, sealing, and heating. This results in a longer shelf life for many products and allows them to be stored without refrigeration.

Most of the vitamins and minerals in a food remain unaffected, as do protein, carbs, and fat. However, some water-soluble vitamins can be damaged by the high heat involved in canning.

In addition, the materials used in canned food containers can contain a chemical called BPA (bisphenol-A), which is known to affect hormone levels, increase the risk of prostate and breast cancer, and cause infertility. For this reason, it is a good idea to choose a BPA-free can when purchasing canned food.

Soups are another type of food that can be stocked in your survival pantry. They’re a comfort food that’s easy to prepare, nutrient-dense, and can be eaten at any temperature.

It is important to note that some canned foods may have a lot of salt or sugar, so you should be careful about the amount of sodium and sugar you consume. Draining and rinsing your canned beans and vegetables can help reduce their salt and sugar content, so be sure to look for these when selecting your food items.