Veg trug & raised planters?

Chimera

Hi all,

We moved to a new property a couple of years ago - I was excited because I didn't have a garden before. so planted in the garden and planters (usually just pots etc). Unfortunately, being a woodland garden, it didn't get the light as much as needed and was quite wet. It's a rented property so we don't want to spend to much on landscaping and drainage for the landlords.
We also have 6 dogs and 2 chickens so options are quite limited too.

We decided that the best idea was to use the concrete area to the side of the garden which gets sun all day and was where we had all the pots last year.

We were thinking about tall rasied beds, but the cost of building and filling, and the fact that they couldn't be moved once sited, has put us off.

I've been looking at vegtrugs and other raised planters - which are ideal for what we want really - but not sure on what to get. Vegtrugs look ace, but are quite expensive. Would buy 1 or 2 but have seen some shallower ones as well.

I intend to grow in raised planters:

beans (broad, french & runner), and peas
Salad leaves, spring onions radish
Purple sprouting brocolli, brussel sprouts, kale
Onions, carrots, etc (could go in a pot)

Would quite happily grow more as well, as having the raised planted should ensure more success than last year.

Potatoes will go in a bag
Toms, cucmbers and peppers will be on pots
Strawberries in baskets already
Herbs scattered around garden already
Soft Fruit (in garden patio area - gets full sun)


So... I suppose my question is - what planters/veg trugs to buy?
Any experiences and advice greatly appreciated.

RAS

Why buy?

Check your local restaurants.

Do they get goods that arrive in large polystrene containers. Anything up to 50x100x50cms? Paint if you want to make them less visible.

Do they get oil in large drums (cut the lid out and make a few holes 2cms up the side)?

wallbash

but the cost of building and filling, and the fact that they couldn't be moved once sited, has put us off.

Mine are built with decking boards, attractive to look at and cost little.
Not a fan ( sorry RAS ) of this idea of oilcans/ polystrene containers, or this obsession on using pallet wood or anything really second hand.
Veg patch should look......nice.

Build it neatly out of decking boards and when you leave, take them with you.

Vegtrugs look ace, but are quite expensive.

Yes very expensive for the amount of growing area.

Mojisola

Chimera wrote: »

It's a rented property so we don't want to spend to much on landscaping and drainage for the landlords.

We were thinking about tall rasied beds, but the cost of building and filling, and the fact that they couldn't be moved once sited, has put us off.

I'd go for some of these - http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Strong-Flexible-Mixing-Tub-73L/p/198840 - don't forget to put some holes in the base for drainage.

You can get cheaper and more colourful ones but the builders' ones are stronger.

You have to be more vigilant with watering - although the use of water-retaining crystals gives some leeway - but most thing can be grown in these.

REEN

I got some of these- http://www.idealworld.tv/garden/Heavy_Duty_Black_Pot_30L-261200.aspx?p=1 Very sturdy and cheap.

Chimera

Thanks all

What I should have made clearer is that they need to be raised off the ground - I have lots of pots for other bits and bobs, but wanted to get some raised planters to help.

Can't have polystyrene, in case the chickens or dogs decide to have a nibble.

I like the sound of building them, but we had already discussed this, and worked out that it didn't work out much cheaper if using decent wood. And then there is access - we only have a wee car and can't get a delivery truck down the road, so would have to have cut to size etc.

I know this sounds silly, but it's true... we only became full time self employed at the end of the last year, and the time it would take us to faff about getting materials and building (as we are not experts), could be better spent earning money on the business.
We have to weigh up things like this at the moment, with value for money when it comes to time spent.

I really like the idea of the official 'vegtrug' - and may invest in one... But have seen cheaper versions with 12-14cm depth - but worried this won't be enough depth.

Chimera

I was looking at something like this - the deep root ones, not the v shaped ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Garden-Vegetable-Veg-Trough-Wooden-Timber-Raised-Bed-Planter-for-Veg-Herbs-/271788843807?

Bunnygirl

They look nice seem to be cheaper here looks like the same one


http://www.buttercupfarm.co.uk/deep-root-planter-1m.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrPqnBRD56dGe1o_WlZsBEiQAb5ugt3k9am0ztbMFnSuI4doI_jxW2bLLE3wqB9i604TgqyMaAhi48P8HAQ


Runner beans get very tall and heavy I would maybe get a
runner bean planter bag or a very large pot.


If you like the vegtrug and can afford it then go for it. They do cost a lot but then do most things in life these days. Yes it's cheaper to make your own but if you don't have the right tools or can't get the wood in the car it can be a lot of hassle. I have seen people put castor on vegtrugs so they can be moved around. Also I really like the idea of the frame and mesh cover to keep the insect off the lettuce. If it's not going to break the bank and you are going to get lots of pleasure and enjoyment out of it. That's the thing that counts really.


I have just spent £89 on building 3 large planters for my fruit canes. My dad cant understand why when we can go and buy the fruit cheap from asda. But it great to watch they grow and eat them fresh from the plant.

Chimera

Bunnygirl wrote: »

They look nice seem to be cheaper here looks like the same one


http://www.buttercupfarm.co.uk/deep-root-planter-1m.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrPqnBRD56dGe1o_WlZsBEiQAb5ugt3k9am0ztbMFnSuI4doI_jxW2bLLE3wqB9i604TgqyMaAhi48P8HAQ


Runner beans get very tall and heavy I would maybe get a
runner bean planter bag or a very large pot.


If you like the vegtrug and can afford it then go for it. They do cost a lot but then do most things in life these days. Yes it's cheaper to make your own but if you don't have the right tools or can't get the wood in the car it can be a lot of hassle. I have seen people put castor on vegtrugs so they can be moved around. Also I really like the idea of the frame and mesh cover to keep the insect off the lettuce. If it's not going to break the bank and you are going to get lots of pleasure and enjoyment out of it. That's the thing that counts really.


I have just spent £89 on building 3 large planters for my fruit canes. My dad cant understand why when we can go and buy they cheap from asda. But it great to watch they grow and eat they fresh from the plant.

Thanks - never thought about runners, lol, will pop in garden over an arch I think and just protect the young plants from them there chickens and dogs with some wire... can you plant in the same place as the year before?

I think I'm going to go for it - I have a big event in a week, so hopefully I'll make enough to treat myself.

I like the idea, that I can move them, and take them with me if necessary.

mrbadexample

If you make it yourself it doesn't have to look rough or cost much.

I saw this at a garden centre:



I thought it looked both rubbish and ridiculously expensive so I made one:





It cost me less than £3. Scrap wood is easily acquired, and at that price if it falls apart after a couple of years, it doesn't matter. I don't have any special carpentry skills either.

REEN

Aldi special buy from tomorrow-https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-19-mar/product-detail/ps/p/raised-growing-trough/