18 Gal. containers from WMart in black ... ok for toms?

arlinek · May 20, 2007

They also had them in a beige or gray color, I think ($3.72 at Wmart, BTW). I just liked the black because previously I had only seen them in blue - not the prettiest color for my garden areas. Now I'm reading references that black might heat up the roots too much. We ARE in a "cooler" environment - San Diego, most days in mid 70s with occasional 80s (once this Gray May garbage is over!!). So, is black okay, or should I get the blue somewhere else or beige/gray? I'm gonna put bottom half of one container inside the other one. They will be in full sun. (This will be our first endeavor in container gardening.) Also, why don't more people that build these make a point of making the supports and wick piece at least, say, 6" tall so that more water is at the bottom, requiring a little less refilling? Seems most people use these little baskets or pond baskets that are only 4-4.5" high.

May 20, 2007	#1
arlinek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 37	18 Gal. containers from WMart in black ... ok for toms? They also had them in a beige or gray color, I think ($3.72 at Wmart, BTW). I just liked the black because previously I had only seen them in blue - not the prettiest color for my garden areas. Now I'm reading references that black might heat up the roots too much. We ARE in a "cooler" environment - San Diego, most days in mid 70s with occasional 80s (once this Gray May garbage is over!!). So, is black okay, or should I get the blue somewhere else or beige/gray? I'm gonna put bottom half of one container inside the other one. They will be in full sun. (This will be our first endeavor in container gardening.) Also, why don't more people that build these make a point of making the supports and wick piece at least, say, 6" tall so that more water is at the bottom, requiring a little less refilling? Seems most people use these little baskets or pond baskets that are only 4-4.5" high.