What veg can I grow in these? (pictures)

I was given these two discarded planters yesterday:





They are very long (as long as a garden bench), but fairly narrow. Deeper than your average window box though (with large drainage holes). I am very keen to grow vegetables in them. What would not mind these fairly limited conditions?

I was thinking of growing broccoli. Would that work? I expect salad varieties would not mind the limited pot size, what about onions / spring onions / garlic?

I would love to hear what YOU'd grow in these.

 

Rosie, I would go for salad crops or herbs, you could probably grow peas and dwarf beans in them too. I would also try stump rooted carrots, onions and, possibly, tomatoes. Until you try, you will never know what can be grown in them.:thumb::D

 

Why not make them decorative by growing a mix of alternate red, green and white cabbages with perhaps some onions in amongst them to give it a bit of structure? That way they will look ornamental as well as useful for the table.

 

I would be inclined to do some companion planting

 

I like the idea of the ornamental cabbages & onions. As I don't really know what actual vegetable plants look like (just know what the produce looks like in plastic bags from the supermarket), that was just the sort of info I was after. Good idea - I'll look into it.

Have been meaning to read up on companion planting - I'll do it rightaway.

Obviously the planters need a bit of TLC before I can put anything in them, so I'll wait for the weather to get better. It's horrid here today - pouring down with rain!

 

I know you said veg but they would be great for growing strawberries in.

 

Hi Rosie.

some info on companion planting here ;
http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/companion.htm

Something sounding very tasty I read somewhere, suggested cherry toms, with basil, oregano and coriander as companion plants. (Just add mozzarella. Yum Yum.)

cheers,
Dave

 

They look just about deep enough for chillies (several varieties), peppers and aubergines. All dead easy to grow and make a very attractive display. Only trouble is finding a use for all the chillies!

 

Put some support frame at the back and grow beans,peas,tomatoes,lettuce in between.

 

I have some plastic troughs i buy really cheaply, but they look fine. they are about 60cm long so shorter than yours. I have planted in the so far:
little gem letuce
cut and come again letuce
spinach
rocket
spring onions

although i have a veg patch (which is quite a good size!) i still struggle to find space so i line the walls on the patiop wioth these troughs

oh, and also parmex carrots (short stubby carots)

 

UPDATE: I thought you might like to see my much improved planters which now house some veg. I sawed the legs in half and apinted them the same colour as the shed. Then I filled them with growbag compost and planted some broccoli (calabrese) in one, and some dwarf French beans and lettuce in between in the other. They are on the patio and I think they look lovely - the fact that I'll hopefully have some veg to eat is a bonus.







The photos were taken several weeks ago. Now the beans are flowering and the cabbage planter is looking really lush!

It is my first year growing veg, and I know you wise folk will say that I have planted everything far too close. I just have no idea how big stuff gets!

 

Looking fabulous Rosie - well done! :thumb:
(and that's one gorgeous dog you have ther too! Is that Rosie?)

 

Rosie, I can see you getting the veg growing bug and digging up the lawn.:D

 

Not only was your idea great, Rosie, but the planters do too. Well done and hope you get bumper crops.

 

Jarbax: Yes, that is the beautiful Rosie. She likes to hang out in the sun on the patio, so she seems to feature on most photos! She reckons it is her job to keep the garden cat-free.

David, I have been thinking seriously about how I can wedge more veg into the garden. I think I'll build some more planters for next year, so I don't keep falling over grow bags everywhere!