What can I grow in my drainpipe?

sareybox_2

Hi

I've just had to replace my soil pipe and stack and have quite a bit of 4" plastic pipe left over. I'm hoping to start growing my own this year and have a pretty small garden. I was thinking I could use the drainpipe for a vertical garden type idea, by drilling holes in the sides to plant in. I found an article from a previous thread where a guy grew strawberries in one (I can't post a link as I'm too new) He doesn't seem to have had much luck with the strawberries and I was wondering if anyone knew what else would do well?
Any of these?
Leeks
Cut and come again salad leaves
Tomatoes
Spinach
Beetroot
Runner beans
Peppers
Pea shoots
Herbs

Any other suggestions?

I've got lots of different lengths, longest about 8 foot.

Looking forward to some inventive replies!

knithryn

You can use the guttering to start off peas then slide the whole lot into the final growing location, so I don't see why you can't use it for pea shoots.
If you are groing your tomatoes in growbags in particular, cut the downpipe into sections and use as a 'collar' at the base of the plant. Fill the collar with soil (yes this will mean some of the base of the tom stem is in the soil - that's exactly right - the tom produces roots from the lower section of the stem). Water the tom by watering into the drainpipe section.
If you are going to go with trying a vertical garden, then don't forget to put something on the bottom of the pipe to prevent everything just faling out of it, and place a 'leaky pipe' down it to help with watering. I've used the 'pouches' in the past and it's difficult to water them once they get a bit dry - the water just whooshes out from the upper holes without soaking down to the base. Or you get a soggy base as the other problem.
I'd probably try the herbs and salad leaves in a vertical section, planting little plants in rather than seeds. A few nasturtiums might look good in it as well, and you can eat the leaves and flowers (hot peppery taste).

RAS

You have the idea ight but 4" tube is quite small and will need lots of watering. You might want to put a length of hose with holes all the way down and clamp off the bottom. that would enable you to water the whole length.

Look at the bag gardens on the send-a-cow web-site for inspiration. Limit the number of holes as well so each plant, set of plants.

I would try salad leaves, spring onions, radish, herbs, beetroots and chards, dwarf french beans, turnip and see how it goes?

balloo_2

A lot of proffessional gardeners who are showing their crops for prizes use lengths of pipe to grow their carrots and beans in so they come out long and pretty straight. :A