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Do whiskey barrels need liner for planters

19 years ago

I am planning on growing several Elephant Ears in half whiskey barrels and I am not sure if a plastic liner is needed. The barrel halves right now smell like an open bottle of Jack Daniels and have been burnt black inside.

Is there any thing I should do to prepare these for planting. I also plan to use some of the as a small water gardens. Thanks in advance. Gary :()

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Comments (7)

arumgrande
19 years ago
Hi Gary, take care for Colonel Huttey ( never seen his name written! ) for making Elephants drunken!
To tell the truth - I believe watering the barrels before use and filling them with soil dilutes the small rest of alcohol so much that it won't do any harm to your plants. And without plastic they stay air-permeable, that's an advantage - I think.
Good luck
hermann
d_bender
12 years ago
Has anyone had any problems with growing plants in these barrel liners? I have impatiens and nasturtiums in miracle gro potting soil in these liners. The soil seems to stay too wet. Do these liners need drainage holes, or is the problem with the type of potting soil I'm using? The plants have not grown much in the two months I've had them planted. Our summer has been very warm and humid for WI.
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The insides of the barrels are burned before the whiskey goes into them...the charcoal that is left does something to the flavor of the whiskey (or something like that). Don't worry...it won't do anything to your plants. I have two of these 1/2 barrel planters, and another eight whole ones used as rain barrels around the yard. I do all my watering from them and haven't had any problems as a result of the charcoal inside. Verena
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So pretty. My wooden barrels also fell apart, nonacook. I was visiting my daughter in Kansas City and at Costco they had hard plastic ones. So I bought a pair and put flowers in them. I think I will add birdhouses now, thanks to your idea, kirkus. Are those watermelon million bells, perennials? They are beautiful!
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That's true, Joe. The time line varies some depending on where you live but you do eventually have to re-pot. In warmer climates that is between 2 and 4 years because they grow for a much longer season. In my zone 6 I have to do mine between 4 and 5 years because my season is short and they don't get root bound as quickly. When I change the soil I root prune too. A sure sign that your rose is root bound is if while you're pouring the water in the top of the pot it's running out the bottom just as fast!
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Comments (11)
Greetings: Many years ago when just out of college, I worked at a small greenhouse. We had plants in clay pots and plastic pots (geranium, Dracaena ect). These days, nobody would commercially grow in clay pots. To heavy to ship,move ect. However, it was interesting to see the same crop in clay versus plastic. Those in clay were just a little bigger, healthier looking and definitely seemed better compared to those in the plastic pots. Cooler roots with clay? Better root system with clay? I wonder if the wood whiskey barrels work the same. Cooler roots? I use plastic these days too as the big plastic tubs are way cheaper and more available than wood barrels. The issue came up again when working at a garden center years ago that potted bare-root shrubs into fiber pots. When the pots ran out, we switched to plastic pots. The fiber pots produced a nicer plant sooner. Plastic works but is not always the best container for the plant. Just cheaper, more available and convenient since it does not rot away.
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suenh
12 years ago
I had to drill holes in the bottom of mine to grow most annuals. When wet the barrels are water tight or they wouldn't have been good for whiskey. The staves will shrink if allowed to dry completely and the barrel will flop apart. I have some old nail kegs in my barn from relatives past and they are very delicate from lack of moisture.
dellis326 (Danny)
12 years ago
MG soils tend to hold too much water when used by themselves, combine that with a container with no drainage and your asking for trouble.

I would take the plants and all the soil out and drill some holes, then mix the soil with wood chips or shredded bark and some real wood charcoal for added drainage.

Do not use charcoal briquettes, some types have added chemical in them and the natural charcoal is various sizes which will also increase drainage.
sitting_boy
12 years ago
or you could just use perlite/pumice/sand (interswitchable) for sure-fire drainage as charcoal, if kept wet all the time will eventually not be drainage any more, where these rock-based drainage mediums will always have the same draining properties.
d_bender
12 years ago
Yesterday, my helpful husband drilled several holes in our plastic liner--while we propped them up on two chairs. Hopefully this will give the soggy roots the boost they need for this season. Will reconsider the system before planting next year. Thanks all.
Jayne Carr
3 years ago
I have 2 half whisky barrels which have been burnt and left charcoal inside. Do I need to remove the charcoal or is it ok to leave it there?

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