Planting Galvanized Trough

[ninnymary]

I just bought a 2x2x4 trough for my blueberries. It looks pretty deep and long.

I plan to drill 6 drainage holes the size of a nickle. Is this enough?

I also need ideas on what to put on the bottom so that I don't have to use so much soil. Journey suggested gatorade bottles. Is there something else that other's here prefer?

A friend said she put gravel and landscaping fabric on the bottom. Is this necessary or better?

Please give me your ideas and suggestions.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Yes to your drain holes, that should be plenty.
Yes to the Gatorade (or similar) bottles.
No to the gravel. (click)

I would put some landscape cloth, just the cheap stuff, over the drain holes, put all your bottles in a few kitchen sized trash bags, just to keep the mess intact in case you ever tear it down and replant,
(been there done that) and then fill the top 2/3rds with a good potting soil.


I found a blueberry soil recipe last year that I sort of followed. It called for using mostly bark, then peat, and it didn't call for it but I used about 1/5 potting soil mixed with perlite. I added an acidic fertilizer at planting. I'm anxious to see how they do this year.

We will be needing pictures Mary!