A catalogue of trial, error and advice

Farway

ArbitraryRandom said:

Hmm... following the discussion on a different thread about raised beds (and cost). I wonder if two of these might do the trick?

https://www.vidaxl.co.uk/e/vidaxl-garden-raised-bed-galvanised-steel-320x80x77-cm-grey/8718475708971.html

https://www.vidaxl.co.uk/e/vidaxl-garden-raised-bed-galvanised-steel-480x80x77-cm-grey/8719883757100.html

Main disadvantage compared to my breeze block idea is not being able to sit on the edge, but I'm sure I can pick up a bench to go between the two planters. 

Anyone have any experience with galvanised steel in a garden? 

Does an Anderson shelter count? Lasted for years and loads still around I suppose it very much depends on gauge of the steel, and I note it doesn't give that information on your links

I have a galvanised painted steel shed, but it is quite flimsy and relies on the whole assembly for rigidity. Individual panels are about as strong as corrugated cardboard

That said, it's still rust free & standing after over thirty years, so I guess without physical impact damage they should last

FreeBear

ArbitraryRandom said: Not yet (and I might take the advice and plant my honeyberry there instead... or maybe a quince/chaemoneles... or grape - other suggestions still welcome ).

Not sure if I've already suggested it.. Plumcot - A plum/apricot cross that is supposedly full of flavour.

Planted one in the garden here earlier in the year. It may well be 3-5 years before I see any fruit, so can't comment on the flavour yet.

ArbitraryRandom

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said: Not yet (and I might take the advice and plant my honeyberry there instead... or maybe a quince/chaemoneles... or grape - other suggestions still welcome ).

Not sure if I've already suggested it.. Plumcot - A plum/apricot cross that is supposedly full of flavour.

Planted one in the garden here earlier in the year. It may well be 3-5 years before I see any fruit, so can't comment on the flavour yet.

Thanks, not heard of that one before - it's going on the list But probably not for against this wall as it's only going to be 3-4 foot high so I'm looking for something low growing and psudo hedge like (bushy) and a quick google is suggesting they're more a tree?

May I ask what you use as a pollination partner?

I've been playing with the idea of picking up one of those patio 'duo' grafts you sometimes see cheap with Czar and Victoria but I get the feeling they're a little unreliable? 

Farway

ArbitraryRandom said:

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said: Not yet (and I might take the advice and plant my honeyberry there instead... or maybe a quince/chaemoneles... or grape - other suggestions still welcome ).

Not sure if I've already suggested it.. Plumcot - A plum/apricot cross that is supposedly full of flavour.

Planted one in the garden here earlier in the year. It may well be 3-5 years before I see any fruit, so can't comment on the flavour yet.

Thanks, not heard of that one before - it's going on the list But probably not for against this wall as it's only going to be 3-4 foot high so I'm looking for something low growing and psudo hedge like (bushy) and a quick google is suggesting they're more a tree?

May I ask what you use as a pollination partner?

I've been playing with the idea of picking up one of those patio 'duo' grafts you sometimes see cheap with Czar and Victoria but I get the feeling they're a little unreliable? 

Nooo, dismiss that idea at once. 

Plums are never low growing, despite adverts, by their very nature they are vigorous growers

You may be able to train them horizontally along wires / canes etc and with a bit of care it would work & become a nice feature, but it will require training, tying in etc.

Plus easier to keep birds off the ripe fruit

I'm a recent convert to espalier and wish I'd started fifty years ago, it's easier than you may initially think

-taff

Have a look in fb mp for breeze blocks, ou may be able to get some cheaper that way. Also, you could just use any old thing and render over the top to make it look pretty...

FreeBear

ArbitraryRandom said:

FreeBear said:

ArbitraryRandom said: Not yet (and I might take the advice and plant my honeyberry there instead... or maybe a quince/chaemoneles... or grape - other suggestions still welcome ).

Not sure if I've already suggested it.. Plumcot - A plum/apricot cross that is supposedly full of flavour.

Planted one in the garden here earlier in the year. It may well be 3-5 years before I see any fruit, so can't comment on the flavour yet.

Thanks, not heard of that one before - it's going on the list But probably not for against this wall as it's only going to be 3-4 foot high so I'm looking for something low growing and psudo hedge like (bushy) and a quick google is suggesting they're more a tree?

May I ask what you use as a pollination partner?

Got a Victoria plum as a cross pollinator, or if it is really early to flower, some cherry plums. It will indeed end up quite a sizeable tree, but it is supposed to be on a dwarfing root stock, so we will have to wait and see.

Another plant to stick on your list - Pineberry. Would look nice planted in tubs or alongside your alpine strawberries.

ArbitraryRandom

OoO

I have actually seen those before, but I assumed they were photoshopped 'white strawberries'. 

Pineapple flavoured and the birds leave them alone as 'unripe looking'... sounds delightful. 

Thanks for that  

YoungBlueEyes

Pineberry sounds good to me too, I'll keep my eye out

ArbitraryRandom

Feeling meah today, which is always dangerous. It's raining, but took a tape measure into the garden and had a bit of a look at the space. Then sat in front of a laptop and looked at options... 

Then thought !!!!!! it, and bought something which might or might not work in the long run, but makes me feel like some progress is being made and will give me something to do when the summer is over and I can actually take some leave. 

So, bought 1 large rectangular raised bed and two hexagonal. They're cheap enough that even if they only last a few years and I replace them with something brick or block when I'm doing the 'building' work in the garden, I'll be okay with that.

Here's the tubs I just bought: 


Here's the video from a review that made me think maybe they were worth buying (not my house, not my chickens, and I think those are the 45cm version, so mine will be taller): https://youtu.be/4fHpallgiWs

twopenny

Interesting.....They will make a good template too if you want to put breeze blocks around them

I'm not a fan of the long trend for rusty iron. I watched a makeover where the small garden had them as the biggest feature and an essential part and I just thought, as soon as the trend is over that's a massive chunk to remove and dispose of and the garden will be ruined.

Those you've ordered seem a better idea. Can they be painted?

Don't put them in full sun though or you;ll be cooking the plants and water evapourate.