Vegetables in containers.

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Vegetables in containers.
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Pilsbury

Joined: 13 Dec 2004
Posts: 5645
Location: East london/Essex

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 05 10:26 pm Post subject:
Whats the best thing to put in the bottom of pots for drainage? I konw about crocks and stones ect but as i am planning some big containes this year as I have no soil garden at the moment I was hopng something lighter would work like charcoal maybe. Any suggestions?

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 05 7:11 am Post subject:

Pilsbury wrote:

Whats the best thing to put in the bottom of pots for drainage?

They often recommend large lumps of polystyrene if you don't need the weight to keep the tub in one place. I'm lucky to have plenty of large stones as I wouldn't wish to put much else in the tub other than soil in case they leach out anything. Especially if I'm going to grow lots of salad.

leebu

Joined: 23 Nov 2004
Posts: 418
Location: east yorkshire

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 05 12:17 pm Post subject:

My uncle took me for a trip around his allotment the last year to get me inspired, and very impressive it was too. He grows carrots in the top part of an old water butt (fills it with stone and then last two feet with soil, I think). He claims he has no problems with carrot fly this way, as they only fly around a foot off the ground. Don't know if this is common knowledge but it sounded a good idea to me.

Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Thu Feb 03, 05 12:42 pm Post subject:
Your Uncle is spot on, Leebu, a 2' screen of fleece or a net curtain round them works, as well.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 10:32 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Wickes builders trug, only about �5

Sorry to bring this up again, but have decided on containers for this year (still having allotment problems) so went to Wickes on Saturday to find some builders trugs. Not knowing what they looked like I trundled about for a bit, and then finally asked. The poor bloke looked at me like I was mad and kept saying 'builders what??' So what is a builders trug? I mean is it just like a big round water butt?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 10:35 am Post subject:
No they're like flexible rubber buckets with handles on 'em, most garden centres do them too. If you can't find them I'll find somewhere online that do them.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 10:59 am Post subject:
Thank you - shall have another look.

Bugs

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 10744

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 11:06 am Post subject:
Hmm, the ones we buy aren't flexible though...they are normally made of recycled rubber aren't they? I think they'd be a bit too unstable to plant in without extra support. Pehaps we have the name wrong. It looks like this only black https://www.bigtray.com/productdetails.asp!sku.CMC8119RD,catid.16455.html

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45669
Location: Essex

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 11:13 am Post subject:
They're just buckets aren't they? They definitely do those in B&Q, actually I might get a couple for my blueberries now that we might be moving.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 11:37 am Post subject:
I have seen these lots of places! I didn't know thats what they were called. Shall go shopping tomorrow and try and find some! Thank you for your help.

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 12:07 pm Post subject:

When growing in containers, if you can raise the container onto some stool/table/platform, anything with leg-like protrusions at the bottom, put thelegs into large plastic containers, e.g. cut down milk contianers(large), and fill the container with water (maybe also protect the legs from water by placing in smaller container). This willstop slugs from getting up. The container should be wide enough so large slugs can't bridge it. Very effective.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 05 12:40 pm Post subject:

The ones at Wickes are hard black plastic like black buckets. But they are much larger (probably 4 times the volume of a black bucket) and have two rope style handles. They have made at least two types over the years and can be found in the building section or near the garden stuff. They should be about �5 each and I've seen similar ones advertised in garden centres for over �20. They are slightly flexible and made of quite thick plastic.

If I can track down a Wickes catalogue tonight I'll give you a sku.

judyofthewoods

Joined: 29 Jan 2005
Posts: 804
Location: Pembrokeshire

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 05 8:01 pm Post subject:
Just saw those trugs on special offer at Travis Perkins builder's merchant for just around �6 incl. VAT in black, and a little more for yellow.

wellington womble

Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands

Posted: Wed Feb 16, 05 8:11 pm Post subject:
plastic storage boxes will do the same job (you know, the things they sell ofr putting kids toys in and other stuff - cheepie shops normally have them - or market stalls) You'll need to attack them with something sharp to put drainage holes in them. They might be better for salads and what have you that don't need so much depth. They come in quite a range of different shapes and sizes.

moogie

Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 525
Location: Near Bridgend

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 10:48 am Post subject:
Thats great, thank you. Shall go round all the builders and diy shops this weekend and find something suitable.

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