Galvanized Trough

[ninnymary]

I am thinking of getting a 2x2x3 galvanized trough to put my 2 blueberry plants that are in wine barrels that are starting to rot.

I believe it has a drainage hole at the bottom. Do I need to make more drainage holes? Do I need to add gravel at the bottom?

It looks pretty deep and it would probably take a lot of soil to fill. I've heard that blueberries are shallow rooted plants. Should I add styrofoam peanuts at the bottom 6 inches?

Anything else that I haven't thought about that I should know?

Mary

 

[lesa]

I have never used those as containers- but people sure do. I would just add that using the peanuts seems like a good idea, but if you ever have to empty the container, they make a big mess. I read a tip, that you could spray "Greatstuff" in the bottom. This serves the same purpose, but isn't a million little pieces. You would need to drill or dig a few holes for drainage in it. I am going to try it this year for sure. Also, the gravel is a good idea- but it makes your container super heavy. I needed the tractor to move around my big pots, because I had that bright idea! Good luck with your berries!

 

[NwMtGardener]

Mary, I used recycled plastic containers in the bottom of my big pots to take up room. Things like soda or juice containers with the lids on tight.

 

[so lucky]

Good idea. Maybe the one liter size Gatoraide bottles. They are thick. Shall I send you a couple hundred? (DH's habit, not mine)

 

[baymule]

In keeping with the Victorian theme, may I suggest a claw footed bathtub, painted in bright colors?

 

[ninnymary]

In keeping with the Victorian theme, may I suggest a claw footed bathtub, painted in bright colors?

Bay, I would love one of those. They are pricey over here. Seen them for around $400 and they are also too big for the space.

Mary

 

[ninnymary]

Good idea. Maybe the one liter size Gatoraide bottles. They are thick. Shall I send you a couple hundred? (DH's habit, not mine)

My husband and son drink those like water! So I have plenty. I usually buy a case when they go on sale which is pretty often. The store has my data, they are always offering me $.79 or .88 sale prices.

Mary

 

[Nyboy]

Mary with all your sunshine will the metal heat up baking the roots? Wine barrels have plastic liners that help protect wood from rot. i think people use them when they want to make water gardens out of them

 

[ninnymary]

Mary with all your sunshine will the metal heat up baking the roots? Wine barrels have plastic liners that help protect wood from rot. i think people use them when they want to make water gardens out of them

Nyboy, this is always a concern of mine with my container gardening. There is a second hand store here that has them with the same sun exposure as mine. I also know that SweetMissDaisy had her's in full sun in a hotter climate, so I'm hoping it will be ok. I'm really excited because locally they want $160 for the 2x2x4 but I found it for $99.99 at a feed store about 40 minutes away! I hope to get it next weekend.

Mary

 

[Smart Red]

I have used old bottles in a garbage can to take up space. Put a depression in the space, pour the soil over the plastic, and plant. This makes the container light and makes clean-up easy since all the waste is inside the bag.