Oak Barrel

My wife had to choose something for her firm to present to her for 15 Years service,total £50.We went down the local gardening centre and they had 1/2 Oak barrels (64)cm reduced to £14.99 each,we also chose a nice ceramic pot.

Done a google search and nothing really about restoring/maintaining these barrels before planting.Apart from painting the rings black some say paint inside with bitumen.Other say just line the inside with plastic although do do admit that the lined barrels do not seem to last any longer than the unlined just retain moisture.Just noticed from the picture I took that the inside does look black anyway

The outside needs some tlc as the oak seems to gone green in places.Not sure if to perhaps sand down/clean the outside then coat with either a natural sealer or a oak sealer.I do prefer in one way for the barrel to look naturally l than doctored if you know what I mean.
The stupid thing about this presentation from work is they will not give a £50 voucher of store of your choice.
Today we had to go to garden centre,choose what we want,take photos and write down any info of item/s.
Come home run off copies of photos & info so wife can take in Monday morning.The company then have to go out & buy the items ,bring them back to work then present them to her.Seems a stupid way to go about things and I hope whoever picks the barrels & pot up has a big boot and is strong,serves them right.

Any info on tackling barrels would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

Am I right in thinking they char the insides of these barrels.

I also tend to think they last as long as they last, cant think of much that might prolong the life, other than use it for summer bedding and move undercover for the winter.

You could scrape/sand off any green growth that might be on the outside and treat with oil.
Some people like the slightly old, rustic look of these barrels, its down to personal choice.

 

I Use mine as a water But NO PROBS!!! IF I Was to Plant in 1 i would Drill a Coupple of Holes to Allow the water to Drain

 

Thats a good price for 1/2 a barrel i wouldn't mind some of them!

 

OAK Barrels, do not need anything done other than to paint the metal hoops to prevent rust, they come in at around £45 for a half barrel

HMS VICTORY was made of OAK in 1797 and is still going strong
I have an OAK garden broom over seventy years old, it has only had twelve heads and eleven shanks

Oak barrels from garden centres are copies made of soft wood and will rot away if not protected Wood preservative on the outside and Varnish, some sort of preservative on the inside that IS safe for plants

Jack McHammocklashing

 

I have used thick plastic sheeting on the inside, with some drainage holes in the bottom of the sheeting and the barrel. It's been going for years now and I treat the outside the same as my fencing with some wood preserve.