How deep?

[nilly71]

Is there a site that lists what depth roots tend to go down to?

I want to try planting in plastic milk bottles but wondered how deep the roots go on different veg.

Neil

[nilly71]

[kt.]

Root depth depends upon the variety of whatever you are planting.  As for planting in milk-bottles - some veg, not all, could become 'rootbound' which would in turn restrict the growth of the crop.  As for root veg themselves - their depth is usually written on the seed packet.  For veg such as beetroot it usually states the size it grows to.  Tennis ball or golf ball size for example.

If you know the name of your root-veg,  'Flyaway Carrot' for example, type in the name and search as most seed supplier websites list the growth length.

[cornykev]

Your best bet Nilly is to get in touch with JRP, check him out on "Locations", he's saved lives with his planting ideas in plastic containers, he's a bit strange but just needs a hug.  :-*     ;D ;D ;D

[littlebabybird]

cornykev
whats with the hugs today lol

[nilly71]

Thanks for the replies.

I have looked at JRP's site and he shows things like potatoes growing in them.
It was not just the milk bottles i was thinking of, but maybe building a long trough about 3' above the veg beds to house things like onions, lettaces and other shallow rooting veg or maybe a bit deeper for carrots.

Neil

[manicscousers]

we have 4 designated 3' high beds, we grow carrots, parsnips, beetroot and, early on, salad crops on a hot bed ..they're all on soil so roots can go down, think there's some pics in our gallery  ;D

[nilly71]

This is roughly what i was thinking about made out of wood, but the plastic milk bottles would still be used in the same way.



Neil

[nilly71]

What veg can be grown in rain guttering?

Neil

[kt.]

What veg can be grown in rain guttering?

Radish & some herbs.  Possibly spring onions depending on depth of guttering.

I always start off my peas in lengths of rain guttering about 15-18" long in my greenhouse. (Away from birds and mice).   When the pea plants are about 1" tall,  I water them,  loosen at the sides,  then slide off the guttering into a ready made small trench.  Guarantees 99% germination this way.