skip to main content

Container Gardening

So, am I nuts, or can this work?

swiss_chard_fanatic

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Before I plunge ahead with this, I want to know if I'm making a big mistake, or if this plan will be successful...

Behold, my massive container (hubby's handiwork and design):

This container is built on a 4'x10' pallet that can be lifted via forklift or tractor with forklift implement (which we have) on its 4' sides. Our plan is to treat this like a normal raised bed, except that it won't be in contact with the ground. Because it won't be in contact with the ground, it will not wick excess moisture out, and therefore our plants would die from damping off and fungal and other diseases. To prevent that, we are planning on installing at least 3 pipes, probably 6, and fill them with dirt, so that the ground can wick excess moisture out of the raised bed, as follows:

In this plan, a mesh netting would be installed on the bottom of the bed to hold in the dirt and allow for drainage (of course, however, there would still be the problem of perched water, and that's why the dirt filled pipes would be installed).

The other idea we had was for the pallet bed to be sitting just a little bit off the ground, with just one cinder block instead of two to lift it, and then we can fill in the void under the bed with dirt and that would negate the need for the pipes.

We are planning to use, by volume:

50% soil from our backyard, which is mostly clay
25% cow manure
10% perlite
15% crushed limestone

So the question is, will either of these two plans work? We want some cool weather veggies and I'm tired of seeing my spinach and chard dying to damping off, so we're really eager to get some results.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

jane__ny
8 years ago
Wow, I am so impressed I don't know what to say!

I have always grown tomatoes in the ground or in large pots. There were always years when you'd get fungal problems but that was usually late in the season. Building such an elaborate set us would never occur to me. I'm so impressed, I'm speechless!

Hope someone can give you their opinion.

I don't know if you have posted on some of the other forums. Here's a few. I would recommend posting on them. You might get a lot of responses from other raised-bed growers

Square Foot Gardening
Organic
Vegetable Gardening

Jane
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago
SCF - either plan renders the set-up a raised bed from a hydrological perspective and both should work equally well. I think you'd be happier in years to come if you can find some fine lava rock or pea gravel to substitute for the limestone, which, at 15% of the o/a volume is going to impact pH (raise it).

Al
Related Discussions
Can I convert this propane heater? Or am I nuts?
Q
Comments (2)
I would check the specs as to the size of propane cylinder you need, some heaters need a large tank, otherwise sould be easy to convert
...See More
Remind Me Again Why I Live in Minnesota? Am I Nuts?
Q
Comments (20)
I've been asking myself the same question lately. I was in New Mexico for 16 years so I know it can be better than this. But, duty calls; My Dad is 90 and my Mom is 81 so I need to be around to help them. They had just 2 boys and it doesn't seem right to leave it all to my brother to take care of. I do dream of living someplace warmer when I retire. As for right now; it's warmed up to -6 and the wind has died down so that the windchill is ONLY -27. It's time to go out and clear the driveway and shovel the sidewalk before it gets dark. Will someone make a cup of hot chocalate for me to thaw me out in a couple hours? Ron
...See More
Hubby thinks I'm nuts, so may you, but I had to re-paint! (pics)
Q
Comments (38)
Here's a glimpse of my 10 y/o son's room. It needs help. After seeing your before and after pictures and actually seeing my uploaded picture, I'm strongly considering painting the slanted walls in his room. We recently replaced his carpet with the hardwood, removed popcorn texture, painted his room, and put up that ceiling fan that "he" picked out. I have not got to the accessorizing part yet, so there is not much to see (except red walls and those slanted walls that now really seem to stick out like a sore thumb). Whenever I get to that point, I will post more pictures. Again I love the color of your son's room, and I hope you will post it again after it is decorated. BTW I don't think you're nuts:)
...See More
Ambitious DIY backsplash - am I nuts to even try??
Q
Comments (20)
You don't "need" a wet tile cutter but it certainly makes the process go much faster. With those mitered cuts, where they'll be butting up to each other, and out in the field of the tile, wet saw will be the ONLY way to cut that tile. Otherwise you WILL end up with rough cuts. As for whether you're crazy for trying this or not, think about this-- there's a younbg lady who alot of the "old timers" in here know as Pirula (Ivette). She and her husband put their own master bathroom together, including a Kerdi steam shower. it comes down to one of my favorite cliches-- "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right." It's mainly a matter of confidence. I can help you through it, and so can the other pros over at John's forum. It's up to you. From what I've seen so far, it looks like you've got a pretty good jump on it, though!
...See More
Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years ago
It is hard to say what sort of mix you need without knowing what the existing soil structure is. Here is a copy of the test Kimmsr always puts up in the soil forum.

Soil test for organic material. From that soil sample put enough of the rest to make a 4 inch level in a clear 1 quart jar, with a tight fitting lid. Fill that jar with water and replace the lid, tightly. Shake the jar vigorously and then let it stand for 24 hours. Your soil will settle out according to soil particle size and weight. For example, a good loam will have about 1-3/4 inch (about 45%) of sand on the bottom. about 1 inch (about 25%) of silt next, about 1 inch (25%) of clay above that, and about 1/4 inch (about 5%) of organic matter on the top.

Conduct that test and get back to us with the results. I also recommend a soil test for nutrients. If you have high levels of phosphorus for instance, you won't want to use manure as your organic matter source.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago
Good call on the manure. I meant to mention there is nothing in the manure you can't get from a good quality bag of fertilizer. There's something to be said about a nutritional supplementation program you can actually control.

Al
Nil13 usda:10a sunset:21 LA,CA (Mount Wash.)
8 years ago
well there is OM in manure and a synthetic fert won't have any of that. of course there are all kinds of ways to get OM.

Related Stories

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Tell a Construction Crew to Pipe Down?

If workers around your home are doing things that bother you, there’s a diplomatic way to approach them

MORE ROOMS Am I Dreaming? Surreal Rooms

By Becky Harris

DECORATING GUIDES No Neutral Ground? Why the Color Camps Are So Opinionated

By Vanessa Brunner

Can't we all just get along when it comes to color versus neutrals?

ORGANIZING Ideabook 911: How Can I Declutter My Space?

By Becky Harris

10 Steps to Take Toward Minimalism

THE POLITE HOUSE The Polite House: Can I Put a Remodel Project on Our Wedding Registry?

Find out how to ask guests for less traditional wedding gifts

LIFE The Polite House: How Can I Kindly Get Party Guests to Use Coasters?

Here’s how to handle the age-old entertaining conundrum to protect your furniture — and friendships

REMODELING GUIDES Ask an Architect: How Can I Carve Out a New Room Without Adding On?

When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine or loft level can be your best friend

LIVING ROOMS Ideabook 911: How Can I Make My Living Room Seem Bigger?

By Becky Harris

10 Ways to Make a Small Space Live Large

SMALL SPACES How Portability Can Make You Happier at Home

Downsizing your stuff and going for maximum mobility can actually make your home feel bigger and your life feel fuller

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES 3 Ways Native Plants Make Gardening So Much Better

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

You probably know about the lower maintenance. But native plants' other benefits go far beyond a little less watering and weeding

Sponsored

Manifesto, Inc.

9 Reviews

Franklin County's Premier Interior Designer | 2x Best of Houzz Winner!

More Discussions

Yellow leaves: to remove or not?

5

How do I post a pic of a sick plant?

3

Combine 5-1-1 And Gritty Mix?

3

How to prune dracaena

0

Gashed caused on ponytail palm. Is it a goner?

9