Trying out these rootrainers this year. They have deep cells and they air prune the roots. This pruning stops the roots from forming around the container and thus directs root growth into the potting medium. It will then almost stop transplant shock which makes them an excellent choice for veggies that don't like to be transplanted. They will be used to get a head start with peas, broad beans, green beans & dry beans. With them growing in potting soil in the protection of the coldframe the seed will not rot and the squirrels can't get at them, both issues I have had in the past.
Here are four hanging baskets that will be used for veggies this year. I will be hanging them off my trellises and they will provide much needed overflow space. Things that will end up in these will be herbs, peppers, tomatillo's & zucchini.
Lastly here are three FREE buckets, it only took badgering my sister for three months to get them. I will be using them for upside down tomato this year as those crappy topsy turvy's rotted in the sun last season. These buckets provide lots of soil space so I will grow tomatoes in the bottom and probably hot peppers in the top.
Great idea on using the buckets for growing tomatoes. I think it will work better than the topsy thingys. This year I'm trying hay bales to also increase my garden space. Every little bit helps.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better than free buckets!! Gotta love the picture with the fork!
ReplyDeleteYou look so "Green Acers!" I love it.
ReplyDeleteI tried doing my tomatoes in pots last year and they just didn't work out. I have high hopes for the ones you sent me, however. They're the best growing of them all, thus far.
Hi Dan, love the spading fork and nice hair cut also. ;o) ;o) John
ReplyDeleteThose stainless steel tools are worth the money. I dig on sticky clay soil and they just don't stick as much. Good choice!
ReplyDeleteWow you never had a fork before? My first fork was a really sad thing with a bent tine. It was a hand me down from my husband's grandmother. For years and years I used it. A little over a year ago my husband gave the the Johnny's fork fro my birthday. Oh how much better that fork is. But I needed it. The handle on the old one rotted away.
ReplyDeleteTina - I was thinking of using buckets last year but ended up going with the topsy's. Bad decision in retrospect.
ReplyDeleteAerelonian - I was going for the 'american gothic' painting look :-)
Ribbit - Glade to here the tomatoes are doing so well!
John - I cut my hair myself, gardener, hairdresser, multifaceted HA!
Matron - I almost don't want to get it dirty. I am sure it will be broken in soon though.
Daphne - This will literally be my first time using a fork! I have always just used a long handle shovel that is split, screwed back together and duct taped. Those Johnny's forks are nice! Lee Valley has a very similar one to it but this one was half the price.
Now is it time for all gardeners to take pictures with their forks??? Can't believe you never used one! I have a fork (albeit a midget sized one to match my midget sized garden!) How big are those hanging baskets? Sounds like a great amount of things you will grow in them but zucchini, that's a challenge! Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, looks like the Lee Valley Catalog has hooked yet another gardener into their vice grip! I admit I have succumbed to their wily lure of helpful products so many times in the past. I'm looking forward to hearing how the root trainers work.
ReplyDeleteOh, my...I suppose I'll have to have my picture taken with my rusty old fork that has seen at least twenty years of gardening, maybe more! I cut my own hair, too. I think we're called "frugal" people. Or cheap. Whatever.
ReplyDeleteYou will love the fork!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDan is in love ! I would be too. I see garden tools and get that *homer simpson drool*. That's a mighty nice fork !
ReplyDelete( and great new avatar ! :D )
Nice new fork you got...who is this Lee Valley Catalog?? It looks like I'm gonna have to check them out too :) I like the American gothic pic...I still have a pic of my husband and I back on prom night posing with our forks and all dressed up. I don't know why we did it but we did lol...
ReplyDeleteGreat score on the buckets! Oh, growing 2 different things in one bucket sounds intriguing....
ReplyDeleteI have this rather cheap version of a garden fork, but it just keeps going like the energizer bunny ... so I cannot bring myself to spend money to replace it! LOL! I use my garden fork alot and know you will love having this on hand. Great American Gothic picture!
ReplyDeleteIf I had to give up a garden tool it would be my spade. Couldn't live without a fork! You'll wonder how you managed!
ReplyDeleteGreat new avatar! You're going to love the fork. I'm on my third one. The first one was cheap and the handle snapped off, the second one was a good one but not good enough to stand up to my husband's overenthusiastic use (he bent a couple of tines), the third one has been the charm (I don't let my husband use it).
ReplyDeleteThat's one nice looking shovel! I can't wait to see that tomato bucket in action.
ReplyDeleteYou will enjoy the fork! We got one as soon as we started to compost and it is great to flip the stuff! Who needs topsy pots when you have empty buckets? Great idea. I have yet to hear if anyone had success with that type gardening...
ReplyDeleteLooks like a modern American Gothic picture with the garden fork.
ReplyDeleteI had a mini-tomato plant in one of those coir hanging pots last year. It worked well but dried out much to fast. If I do one again I'll line the inside with a bit of plastic with a little drainage hole.
Happy gardening.
Great photo of you and the fork... :)
ReplyDeleteHey Dan, thanks for stopping by Garden Therapy with your experiences on the Topsy Turvey planters. I saw your comments here a few days ago and I don't know why but mine have been going for 2 years and show no deterioration. I expect to get a few more years for sure. Probably has most to do with Vancouver's climate. Not too hot, lots of moisture, and while I have them in the hottest spot of my garden, they are under the eaves of the garage so protected. I'll be following your project though as I love the bucket idea.
ReplyDeleteDan, love your new fork. Can't wait to see what you 'turn' with it. Happy Spring!
ReplyDeleteSorry it took so long to get you the buckets but you have them now! :) Nice to see a pic of you and your new fork I know your going to grow some tasty morsel's!
ReplyDeleteGidday Dan - I took Granny's challenge and here it is:
ReplyDeletehttp://kiwigomes.blogspot.com/2010/03/me-and-my-pitchfork.html
And if it's any consolation - I love tools!!!