Vege in Tubs / Bins/ dose anyone here do it

Hi, have any of you tryed growing Vege in Tubs, Bins / or barrels.
Or do you stil do it, I ask because I am thinking of puting rows of them together like a form of raised bed.
Due to our Disabilities we think that this may be a good idea.

Any advise on were to get the tubs/ bins, and what mix of soil compost excetra would be greatly apreciated.

 

There has been mention of using old compost bags (preferably inside out) for potatos, and lots of other things can be grown in tubs, from runner beans, grown up wigwams of canes, to strawberries in tall pots, and even tomatoes in hanging baskets. You could grow pretty much anything that way, so long as you made sure the watering was regular.

Re compost - I use multi-purpose stuff.

 

Hi Veg-4-life

This summer we are going to use a couple of those "Trugs" to grow our spuds in. They cost around �£4 from b&q. Just put some holes in the bottom.
You can also grow carrots in pots - salad leaves, beans, courgettes, etc..... I just put them in peat-free potting compost (just as you would flowers) with some water retaining gel and off you go.... The only difficult bit is deciding what NOT to grow.....

 

Thanks again Dendrobium seems you have looked in the same pages today lollllllll.
And Thanks Honey Bee 4 the welcome, and info.
Q what do you meen by Water retaining gel ?? and were can i get some

 

ME A JUNIOR MEMBER NOT BAD FOR A GUY OF 50 + LOLLLLLL

 

This is what HoneyBee means

http://www.gardenhealth.com/product_range/feed_all/waterretaininggel.php

It's not the only brand of it - your local Garden Centre, and B+Q will have a version of it. The main thing, if you use it is not to be tempted to use more than they say, as it swells up with water MUCH more than you'd think!

If you'd rather shop on-line, that link gives info on stockists of that brand, of course, but lots of others sell it - just type "water-retaining gel" in the toolbar, and you'll find loads of places.

 

Thanks I looked at the info on the link, the nearest stockest 4 that in Ruthin, and I will be going past there soon, as the hospital I go to is jest up the rd from there.
Will look in B&Q AS WELL.

 

That's handy! But I bet B+Q will have it, or another brand of the same.....

the name Ruthin reminds me of many a time I've been up around the Wrexham area - and been to the youth hostel at Eryri - ah, happy days! :D

 

I had a few great times down in your part of the world also.
Hope to have meny more when we take the caravan down in May.
It is cheaper than a holiday home lollllll.
We intend being down in cornwall, 1 week per month, with a few 3 day trips as well.
So the GEL WILL COME IN HANDY LOLLLLLLL.

 

Sorry about last past,( Cornwall ) I must be drunk lollll.
We have toured Scotland, and enjoyed the bieuty, and the welcome we had there.
One of our Son's in law is from Kemnay, i think i spelt it right.

 

Is the "peat-free potting compost" recommendation due to conservation concerns or is it because you feel the veg. grow better in a different mixture?
I've never had trouble growing potatoes and tomatoes in containers which included peat, but my attempts to grow carrots in a tub using such a compost was a waste of time.

 

Don't know Kemnay - whereabouts is that, Vege-4-life?

Just thought maybe Kennoway? (in Fife)

If you're away a lot, then definitely use the gel, and get to know the neighbours well - and train them in the gentle art of watering! :D

 

Beware trug users!! If you use trugs for potatoes make sure that they are not transparent as the tubers could go green and become VERY un-appetising. If they are transparant line with a old cardboard box or similar.
ttfn

 

I use old tyres for containers. any tyre merchant will gladly let you take them away.
If you pile them three high, put hardcore in the bottom one and a half, then a lining of old carpet. Then topup with soil/compost and water retaining gel, you have a lovely raised container that is just the right height for disabled people.
If you want to grow carrots, parsnips or potatoes, you might want to make the soil a little deeper.

 

I grew quite a few veg in containers last year. French and runner beans did very well. Potatoes in a potato barrel quite good but not a huge crop. Salad veg and carrots very disappointing. I think the secret is to use large enough containers and good quality compost