Woodstock, GA on Sep 22, 2011

TOMATO PLANTERS?

I have four, 12" square plastic planters on my back deck that I grow tomatoes in. I can see each year, the roots growing out of the bottom of the pot and the roots dangle in the water saucer I have below each pot. I figured my pot isn't big enough, so I got a deal on these used 30 gal heavy duty plastic barrels that had some sort of fabric stain proofing chemical in. I cut the tops of the barrels off so now that are about 26 " high. My question is: should I line these barrels with say maybe two 3 heavy duty 3 mil thick plastic trash bag liners so the chemical residue won't get into the soil? And also, since I won't have any water saucers to put underneath these barrels, should I drill some 1/2" holes around the bottom and cover with screen and fill the inside of each barrel with about 2" or 3" of gravel rock for drainage? Any other ideas or suggestions? I just am thinking my small 12" pots made my plants grow too tall and skinny since the roots didn't have enough soil..............am I wrong?

Thanks Much,

BOB

13 Comments

Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

Hi Bob,
Is there any way to clean the barrels out? If the directions were still on the barrels, they usually indicate a clean up method, mostly for spills or if it comes in contact with skin. Drilling holes for drainage sounds good, along with the screen and some rocks. If you can't clean them, the 3 mil plastic sounds like a good idea to keep away from soil contamination.

on Sep 22, 2011 · Like 0
Bob B Woodstock, GA

Yea, maybe I'll try to get a pressure washer and really clean the insides of the barrel with some kind of house siding clean from HomeDepot or Lowes.
Thanks Much,

on Sep 22, 2011 · Like 0
Walter Reeves Decatur, GA

You'll have lots more success with the larger containers: not nearly as much blossom end rot and constant watering.

on Sep 22, 2011 · Like 0
Bob B Woodstock, GA

Yea, that constant watering everyday is a pain, PLUS, all the mosquitos that live in the water saucer and attack you when you go to water the plants. I'm hoping for some 4 to 6 lb maters this year if all my prayers are answered!! :)
Thanks Much Walter!!

on Sep 22, 2011 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Your tomatoes should be very happy in those big containers. Definitely drill drainage holes in them.

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 0
Hoffner Nursery & Landsca... Orlando, FL

I would never eat food grown in containers that had chemicals in them! For the cost of going to a local nursery and getting some 65 or 100 gallon pots why take the chance. For many years I grew all the vegetables we could eat in 65 gallon nursery pots, With a little research you will see our food supply has been contaminated by big Farma, GMO seeds, sterile seeds, seeds with the DNA of animals, and crops resistant to Round-Up known as Round-Up ready, I could go on and on. Get rid of the ...»
contaminated pots, use non GMO seeds, and organic growing methods. I save non GMO seeds packaged for 10 years of storage, because of the up coming issues with our food supply, and grow most of the food we eat as well as supply my family with Organic pork, beef, venison, turkey,and elk.I have attached a link to a video I have done on organic gardening. This is an issue close to my heart and would be willing to forward information to start you on the path to understand what is happening to our food.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeOHRw30Ds8&feature=related

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 0
Karen G Palm Bay, FL

I agree with Hoffner...grow tomatoes in big, CLEAN pots. You are eating these veggies! The bigger the pot, the less watering.Use those big pots, if you must, for plants you don't eat!

on Sep 23, 2011 · Like 0
Bob B Woodstock, GA

Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.
Here is my question:
I got rid of the chemical containers and now plan on plastic garbage containers. I have some 25 gallon plastic garbage cans, about 24" high and 18" wide, I plan to use for planting tomatoes on my deck so the deer can't get at them. Here is my plan, so tell me where I am wrong or what I should ...»
do differently. I plan to fill the bottom of the container with about 3" to 4" of gravel. Then, I plan to put some window screen over the gravel (to keep the soil from settling into the gravel) and then fill in with planting soil to about 4" from the top rim. I also plan to drill about a ¾" or 1" hole just above the gravel line for drainage, and of course put a screen over the inside of that hole. I figure that when I water my plants, they will hold the excess water in the 3" to 4" of gravel and the plant will just suck the water up when needed during the hot summer. Too much watering or rain will allow the excess water to drain out of the hole just above the gravel line. Anything wrong with my plans??
Thanks Much,
BOB734

on Feb 03, 2012 · Like 0
Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

Bob, there are others here who are certainly more qualified than me to answer, but I can't see any flaws in your logic there.

on Feb 03, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

You might want more than one drain hole in a container that size, Bob, but it sounds to be like you're going to have very cosseted tomatoes.

on Feb 04, 2012 · Like 0
Bob B Woodstock, GA

Good point, I'll plan to make 2 holes, one on each side. Thanks for that tip!!
BOB

on Feb 04, 2012 · Like 0
Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Always good to have a second set of eyes!

on Feb 05, 2012 · Like 0
Terri J York, PA

I bought a couple of small bab pools last year for some plants (such as tomatoes) that I didn't have big enough containers for and I could just put a little water in the pools every couple days, so they weren't over or under watered. And yes, not knowing what chemicals were in the barrels before, I would definitley line them to prevent any dangerous chemical soaking into your soil and plants.

on Feb 05, 2012 · Like 0

Oops! Leave without saving?

Hometalk.com

Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

TOMATO PLANTERS?

NOTE: You can drag and drop your photos to reorder them