I think I might swipe that plan, or at least part of it - I've been trying to figure a good way to plant AND make beds at the same time, and this sounds like it.
How much do you plan to fill them? And how big are they? The amount of leftover space in the bags might have side effects, like bunching up and sealing dirt away in layers, or more air/water storage helping nasty stuff grow without you knowing.
*shrug*

They're huge. They're liners for 55 gallon drums, and measure 39" x 46". They'd take ~7.4 cubic feet of potting mix to fill them.

I don't think it's necessary to fill them full. I'll lay one out, and fill it until it's about 8" deep, layed on it's side.

I'd probably use something to pinch back the excess bagging - I've tried stuff vaguely like this (not quite, though, which is why I'm not really sure. ;) ) and had issues with folds of plastic growing mold and holding water.

I've never tried something on a larger scale like this, though - and it might make the difference, if that makes sense? Gah, I hope so. ^_^ I might take a bag or two and try this out - there's just too much space for me to fill!

I have seen this before where they put bags of soil around a tree in a circle that had exposed roots.They just punched holes in the bag they bought the soil in and planted impatiens.Worked very well.Wondering why you would have to transfer the soil from one plastic bag to another..Your plan would work and I may steal,,,use it also.
moonphase

I've been doing some calculating, and even if I made my own potting mix, it'd still be cheaper to have a 50/50 topsoil/compost mix delivered and dumped on the cardboard.

Rainy days turn my mind to mud.

Wow, I think this is a great idea for me. I have a space between my iris box and lily box (I'm tired of mowing in there) that I want to make into more flower garden space and this would be a great way to do it. I think I would put down carboard and saturate it and then put the bags of potting mix, cutting the bag from end to end then flipping it over so I can pull the plastic out. I don't want plastic bags in my gardens. Silly me planted the whole package of lavender hyssop and I think every seed has germinated....now I'm thinking I can plant them here. Thanks for the cool idea Donn,
Bonny

After the growing seasaon ends you'll spill the contents and basically have a new garden, you didn't mention removing the plastic or where you planning to leave it in place.

Several years ago I planted zucchini & peppers in bags of potting soil and they did quite well. I cut several small Xs in the bottoms of the bags, flipped'em over and cut out planting circles. Planted 1 zuke and 3 peppers to a bag. Fast and easy if you're running out of time/motivation to build yet another bed.

I like the idea of using bags around trees for instant beds!

actually this is not a new thing.I used to make these long skinny gro bags 20 yrs ago.I put several holes from bottom to top,planted impatiens in them and hung them on my split rail fence.worked real good,don't remember now why I stopped using them..
moonphase

Donn,
Check out the link below. Originally saw this link on a thread here on GW and saved the link. Some really interesting info on growing veggies in grocery bags with some really amazing photos to go with the info

Fran

Here is a link that might be useful: growing veggies in grocery bags

You folks are an endless supply of useful information! :-)

I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to rotate my tomatoes (and related veggies)when I only have two spots to grow them in (and I'm certainly not getting rid of flowers to do it!)
This gives me another option! Buckets #!, Bags of dirt/grocery bags #2!

Donn, you're one smart, talented, creative cookie!! I'll bet SWMBObeyed is very proud of you.

I reread my post and to be clear, it should read:

I cut several small Xs in the backs of the bags, not "bottoms".

And:

Planted 1 zuke or 3 peppers to a bag. Not 1 zuke "and" 3 peppers!

Thought I oughta clarify in case anyone gives it a try.

I bought my daughter a hanging flower arrangement kinda like that last summer. It hung verticaly and there were holes/slits cut in various places in the bag, this is where the petunias grew from. It was quite small when I bought it but as it grew and became fuller it looked like a solid masss of petunias. I have also seen it with moss roses as well as ivy geraniums. Cute idea.

That's a great idea. Hey how about using the Starbucks silver bags that their used coffee grounds come in? Those are real sturdy and should easily hold up for a few seasons. Would they be big enough for a tomato plant or perennials?

after reading this i wonder if this would work for growing potatoes using the dark black plastic rolled down on the sides with sand on the bottom to stablilze and adding straw and dirt to cover when growing ?

pam