Great container growing article

Keiththibodeaux · November 4, 2011

I don't grow much in containers as I tend to kill the stuff in them, but that is another story. Check out this article. Great story and technique.

http://www.core77.com/blog/architect..._nyc_20795.asp

coloken · November 4, 2011

Well worth reading. I questioned how to water them, then I realized that there are places where it does rain.

Keiththibodeaux · November 4, 2011

They stated that lights were run underneath and used for illumination, which is another really cool idea btw, but if they did that they could also have run drip irrigation underneath as well, routing through the hole in the crates and soil making them practically invisible.

Elizabeth · November 4, 2011

What a fantastic garden! I love how the "pots" can be quickly and easily moved. Just think, if you had a plant that was going kaput or needed to be isolated for any reason you could just take it out of the row and swap in a new one.

Keiththibodeaux · November 4, 2011

The comments in the first article referred to this garden in Germany, also made with milk crates. Check the About Us link for more details. A great way to avoid contaminated soils in urban reclamation sites.

http://prinzessinnengarten.net/page/1

akgardengirl · November 4, 2011

Thanks for that article. I do have a few milk crates around and will be planting them next season. Such a good idea.
Sue B.

Mike Maurer · November 8, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by akgardengirl

Thanks for that article. I do have a few milk crates around and will be planting them next season. Such a good idea.
Sue B.

I am very curious what you plan to use for the liner? If you use the landscape fabric they used in New York, are you planning to sew it ? I'm trying to think of a liner that you wouldn't have to sew.
Mike

Smoothej · November 8, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Maurer

I am very curious what you plan to use for the liner? If you use the landscape fabric they used in New York, are you planning to sew it ? I'm trying to think of a liner that you wouldn't have to sew.
Mike

Mike- I tried 5 gallon bucket paint strainer and I was able to stretch enough to barely fit. When I loaded the soil it seemed to stretch a bit and held at the corners. If you try this make sure you buy the one with a band at the top or it won't stay put. (local paint store should have them)

Keiththibodeaux · November 8, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Maurer

I am very curious what you plan to use for the liner? If you use the landscape fabric they used in New York, are you planning to sew it ? I'm trying to think of a liner that you wouldn't have to sew.
Mike

Yes on landscape fabric, but folded, or cut with a slight overlap. Nothing as fancy as sewing.

akgardengirl · November 8, 2011

I sew but wouldn't sew these but instead used 2 strips to overlap some.
Sue B.

maf · November 8, 2011

The landscape fabric I have used for similar designs (but standalone without the crate) can easily be stapled into the desired shape. Much less labour intensive than sewing.

As others have said, if you are using crates you can just fold a couple of pieces in, overlaps don't seem to bother the tomatoes.

Mike Maurer · November 9, 2011

Thanks everyone for the ideas.
Mike

Rockporter · March 17, 2012

This looks like a neat way to use up those old crates that wind up in the recycle bins and even the trash in cities that don't have recycling programs.

JonFrum · April 16, 2012

I just started growing in milk crates days before I saw this thread. Great minds think alike!

November 4, 2011	#4
Elizabeth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Coastal - Zone 10b Posts: 204	What a fantastic garden! I love how the "pots" can be quickly and easily moved. Just think, if you had a plant that was going kaput or needed to be isolated for any reason you could just take it out of the row and swap in a new one. __________________ Elizabeth If I'm going to water and care for a plant it had better give me food, flowers or shade.

November 4, 2011	#2
coloken Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NE Co Posts: 303	Well worth reading. I questioned how to water them, then I realized that there are places where it does rain.

November 4, 2011	#3
Keiththibodeaux Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 587	They stated that lights were run underneath and used for illumination, which is another really cool idea btw, but if they did that they could also have run drip irrigation underneath as well, routing through the hole in the crates and soil making them practically invisible.

November 4, 2011	#6
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	Thanks for that article. I do have a few milk crates around and will be planting them next season. Such a good idea. Sue B.

November 8, 2011	#10
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	I sew but wouldn't sew these but instead used 2 strips to overlap some. Sue B.

November 8, 2011	#11
maf Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 512	The landscape fabric I have used for similar designs (but standalone without the crate) can easily be stapled into the desired shape. Much less labour intensive than sewing. As others have said, if you are using crates you can just fold a couple of pieces in, overlaps don't seem to bother the tomatoes.

November 9, 2011	#12
Mike Maurer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 105	Thanks everyone for the ideas. Mike

March 17, 2012	#13
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	This looks like a neat way to use up those old crates that wind up in the recycle bins and even the trash in cities that don't have recycling programs.

April 16, 2012	#14
JonFrum Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 25	I just started growing in milk crates days before I saw this thread. Great minds think alike!