Using PatioGro's

groatie_queen

I'm setting up a tiny garden from scratch and would like to be as productive as possible, so I'm considering one or two of these PatioGro's

There's only me in the household, and I'd like to grow all the usual salad veg, root veg, in fact everything except nightshades.

Some questions:
Would one be enough?
Is the extension kit useful to have?
Are Patiogro's stable in high winds?

As far as I can see, one or maybe two would be a lot cheaper and less space consuming than installing raised beds (I'm 59 and thinking ahead re bending etc).

I'd be very grateful for a summary of the pluses and minuses, successes and pitfalls! I live in Central Scotland, any comments re withstanding the elements would be welcome!

gpc273

Never seen one in the flesh so can't say for sure on its sturdiness, but with the winds we get in Scotland unless you have a very sheltered area away from your prevailing wind I would be inclined to give it a miss. Also the trays supplied with it don't look good for anything other than Cut and Come again salad, which is all that is pictured in your link.
Is bending a real problem?
I use these and before anyone gets "high-horsey" I have absolutely nothing to do with the manufacturer, I just love em:
http://www.unwins.co.uk/greenhouse-grow-beds-pid4289.html?gclid=CND1l8Xn_rYCFSXLtAodBA4Ahw
I grow salad,beetroots, carrots etc in them.

groatie_queen

The Unwins greenhouse grow beds look interesting - do you use them outside? If so, how are they weathering?

Thanks

GQ

gpc273

I'm lucky enough to have a greenhouse where two of them are going strong, already picked several salads and got lots of other stuff going strong.
The other one is outside and I'm using it as a seed bed for my 2nd batch of brassica's (cabbages, cauli's, calabrese etc).
I just filled the indoor ones with one bag of compost each though if you fill them to the top you could grow longer rooted veg such as carrots very easily, at the depth I have them I am growing the smaller rounded globe shaped carrot.
The outdoor one has two bags in it so once the brassica's get planted into my veg plot I'll use it for "normal" carrots and more whatever else I fancy. Though if you don't have a veg plot you could easily grow cabbages etc to full maturity in it and maybe some dwarf French beans at the back.
With growing your own I always say only grow what you would eat.
You could also use any old cantainer to grow veg, I use the old containers that florists use to display flowers in for the likes of carrots, only cost me 10p each.

Leif

My thoughts are that they are rather shallow, limiting root growth, and in hot weather (you have that in Scotland? ) they would dry out very quickly, and need frequent watering. I've used self watering troughs (Stewart make them, other good makes are available), and they've lasted 15 years and they are still going strong. If kneeling is an issue, you can get kneelers, from garden centres, which are foam pads for kneeling on.

The bag in an above post looks interesting. Builders bags, which are used for delivering sand, gravel etc could also be used (and make a good compost bin). Maybe you know someone having building work done, and you could scrounge the bag(s)?

groatie_queen

Good point about the watering. Hard to imagine it ever being hot up here, it happens so infrequently! But wind evaporation can be an issue. I do like the look of the Unwins grow beds, but wonder how they might weather over time - e.g. will they pick up mould and algae when used outdoors, in this wet climate.

Currently looking at wooden sleeper beds, for durability and stability - and if they get grubby they can be scrubbed and re-treated. A bit pricier though! But will last for many years. Thanks for your thoughts.

D&DD

Kittie has these and she posted some info in here somewhere about hers along with some pics, as far as I remember they were very productive for her.Will see if I can find her post..

gpc273

groatie_queen wrote: »

If so, how are they weathering?

Thanks

GQ

They are made of the same material as tattie grow bags, so I see them lasting quite a few years. Had tattie bags for 10 years with no noticeable weathering.