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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: chriscross1966 on April 26, 2009, 15:28:01

Title: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: chriscross1966 on April 26, 2009, 15:28:01
I might well be able to spring a couple of hippo bags of topsoil/manure. WOuld I be better off plating them with squash/3-sisters or spuds or outdoor peppers and chillis or what?....

chrisc
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: caroline7758 on April 26, 2009, 16:21:26
Carrots, as they would hopefully be high enough to avoid the carrot fly?
But I would say itwould be a waste to use a whole bag-depth of either topsoil or manure. I would empty one of them (use it onyour plot wherever you need it) ,half fill it with old soil or whatever you've got around (I used clumps of dug-out grass inthe bottomof a dustbin last year) then the good stuff, thenplant. Then do the same with the other one. Just my idea, I'm sure others will be along soon!
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: SMP1704 on April 26, 2009, 18:15:37
I was thinking the same as Caroline.  Half depth would be fine, just remember to keep them watered.

When the bags are empty (if that is the plan) they make great compost makers.
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: chriscross1966 on April 26, 2009, 18:39:54
Might have a go then.... does depend on getting at least another hippo of soil though, I told them I'd be along to pick up another one Tuesday if it hadn't all gone by then though I might try for tomorrow evening after work...... Not that fussed about carrots this year.... trying them in tubes and plan on punching them in through holee in the weed mulch fabric......

chrisc
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: zigzig on April 26, 2009, 18:44:53
For the benefit of us lesser mortals.
May one ask what is a hippo bag?
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: tonybloke on April 26, 2009, 19:57:29
the one cubic metre bags that builders merchants sell sand, gravel, etc in!
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: GlentoranMark on April 26, 2009, 20:16:42
Probably smaller than what your on about but my local recycling centre give these away for free, I have spuds in mine:

[img=http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5783/dsc00042x.th.jpg] (http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc00042x.jpg)
Title: Re: What would be best in a hippo bag?
Post by: Lottie103 on April 26, 2009, 20:52:54
My first thought on reading the title was of the `hippo bags' that are put in toilet cisterns to reduce water consumption (could be used as planters for tomatoes perhaps.... but rather expensive). Then I read the post & realised I must be wrong - buying cistern sized bags of topsoil can't be economical  ;D