If you are growing veg in pots, what is the best size, and where is the best place to buy them from? The pots i've used for my beans toms, and carrots are only about 12" wide and about 30" deep. I would love some of those raised beds but in my garden it is impossible!
Trugs are what you're looking for. I got mine from Instore which I think are affiliated with Poundstretcher.
In supermarkets you can usually get the black pots that bunches of flowers are kept in for free. All you need to do is drill some holes in the bottom of the pots. Also, at this time of year the likes of Poundland are selling large planters. You can get some bargains in the Lidle, Aldi, Netto stores. Home Bargains and B&M shops are worth a look.
valmarg
30" deep - that's two and a half feet! Where did you get those from? I wouldn't mind some myself to try a few potatoes for Christmas.
In our case they were tubs which had contained cooking oil. They certainly are 30" deep, and the potatoes in them are coming along nicely, thank you.
valmarg
Jordsbabe, I was asking you about the dimension of your pots - are they terracotta, by the way? - as I wondered if the height was an important feature for you.
If not, you might consider those polystyrene boxes from (among others) fishmongers. They don't seem very big but they're deep enough to give a nice crop of carrots and parsnips - and they're usually free!
Do let us know how you get on.
;D
we use the leaf collection bags that fold down, 2.99 each from in stores, last years ;D
Quote from: valmarg on June 30, 2008, 00:04:10
In our case they were tubs which had contained cooking oil. They certainly are 30" deep, and the potatoes in them are coming along nicely, thank you.
valmarg
I have two pots made from a juice concentrate barrel, sawn in half and drilled for drainage. I've got six strawberry plants in them. I use a mixture of 1 part sharp sand and two parts compost.
I also use the flower buckets from Morrisons to grow tomatoes in. I am currently growing on some tomato cuttings (Shirley F1's) as an experiment.
I grow squashes and brasicas in pack and stack boxes with holes drilled for drainage (the ones that are intended as kids toy storage) as they are much cheaper than pots of a similar size I have 3 under bed storage boxes with clear plastic lids that I use as mini cold frames which works very well and i have my pumpkins in a 240L water barrel cut in half which are doing great this year and every thing Else i use has already been mentioned above
Im loving all the great ideas for tubs, thanks everyone
We also use old rectangular washing up bowls with a few holes drilled in the bottom. These are useful for salad leaves, spring onions radishes, etc.
Home Bargains often have buckets for sale. They are the equivalent of a 10" plant pot, and at 99p a 'bucket', are an absolute bargain. (Always assuming you can't get the free black flower buckets from your local supermarket). ;D
valmarg
Quote from: Amazin on June 30, 2008, 00:26:59
Jordsbabe, I was asking you about the dimension of your pots - are they terracotta, by the way? - as I wondered if the height was an important feature for you.
If not, you might consider those polystyrene boxes from (among others) fishmongers. They don't seem very big but they're deep enough to give a nice crop of carrots and parsnips - and they're usually free!
Do let us know how you get on.
;D
To be honest when I started I got it into my head that all my pots had to be deep, but after reading all the posts on this brilliant forum that in fact I don't need deep pots for everything. I love the washing up bowl for the salad leaves and radish, and again the polystyrene (sp) are a fantastic idea. I am such a newbie at the moment that I feel someone should make me one of those avatar thingys with a big D on it! lol
Quote from: Amazin on June 29, 2008, 23:51:08
30" deep - that's two and a half feet! Where did you get those from? I wouldn't mind some myself to try a few potatoes for Christmas.
To be honest i inherited these pots with my greenhouse from my MIL I will see if she can remember. I am just loving all these ideas Thank you everyone, keep them coming!
Nearly everything in my greenhouse is growing in Morrisons Black Buckets, £1 for 8 buckets - a bargain! I have tomatos, chillis, sweet peppers and aubergines growing in them, outside I have more toms, goosberrys, elephant garlic, raddishes, herbs and a mini pumpkin growing in the magic buckets. If they looked a bit nicer I would have them on the patio!
Helen
Quote from: Tinkie_Bear on July 01, 2008, 12:17:54
Nearly everything in my greenhouse is growing in Morrisons Black Buckets, £1 for 8 buckets - a bargain! ...... If they looked a bit nicer I would have them on the patio!
Helen
I have tomatoes in tesco flower buckets and they are on the patio :)
someone on here suggested painting the black buckets ;D
i never knew they were given out free, just assumed they reused them! doh! been missing a trick!!! who do you ask at the store for the buckets? i dont want to seem like a madwoman (altho i am) nor get told off by the security guard.... and would it b any florists??? thanx in advance!! (wish we had a morrissons round here, but nope, we got lidle iceland and co-op, but mum lives near a tescos....) loopy xx
My local co-op gives them away. I came away a couple of weeks ago with 24 of them.
Janet.
The one's we have were free from our local Netto. You just have to be a bit cheeky, when you see the 'flower arranger' stacking buckets, and ask for some. I understand they are thrown away, if we gardeners don't snap them up.
valmarg
Tried to get some flower buckets at Tesco tonight but no joy, so i will trying! ;D
we've had loads from asda, none near you ?
Quote from: manicscousers on July 02, 2008, 19:32:32
we've had loads from asda, none near you ?
Oh yes I have a couple of Asda's by me! Guess where i'm going tomorrow!!!
thank you! thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you
Popped into Asda today asked at Customer Services if they had any flower buckets spare and she said yes one or two.......................................................She came back with about 25!!!! Now i'm off off to B&Q for some compost and hopefully raddish seeds and spring onion if i'm not too late for spring onion!!