Plastic barrels, what to grow in em ??

[buncieblack]

Hi all
I have just aquired 4 plastic barrels and was now wondering what I could grow in them,I have plenty room on my plot for spuds so I dont want them in barrels also.
Any suggestions, and also growing tips. .
Regards to all John

[nick the grief]

Exhibition parsnips & Carrots BB

[blossom]

Could you make holes in the sides and grow strawberries like those tubs they sell for loads of money?

[buncieblack]

I might give the carrots and parsnips a try, any tips on growing.

[nick the grief]

I've never grown them but I know a man who does as they say! I will ask if he will part with his knowledge failing that, I'm sure Mr Geordie knows all about it.

[andrewo]

Plenty of free draining soil, have seen carrots grown in sand or very sandy soil. You can also cover the tops as they come up with plastic cups, with the bottoms cut off (I don't know what this does but I have met many who swear by it - I think it's meant to fool the carrot fly) and don't forget to stroke the tops as it supposedly stimulates growth. Parsnips I have never grown as the juice from top can cause burns if snapped.

[nick the grief]

Right then BB, I've had a word with my man and this is what he says:-

1 fill the barrels with Concreting sand & allow to settle

2 Then make 4 or 5 bore holes equally spaces aorund the barrel with a metal bar.

3 Fill this with seived compost (recipe below) making sure there are no air pockets (bamboo canes are good I'm told

4 Sow 2 seeds per station & cover with a bottomless pop bottle (too act as a mini cloche)when they germinate take out the weakest

water & feed as required. There are places that sell long carrot seed but you can use St Valery which is fairly easy to track down (Robinsons or HDRA) & Parsnips he said Gladiator is a good one & is easy to find.

Here is the compost mix

36litres for 24 carrots
Ingredient Quantity
Compost 4 gal 1/8" seive
Soil 4 gal
Silver Sand 4 gal
Dolomite Lime 3 oz Flour Seive
Calcified Seaweed 3 oz
Potash 3 oz
Superphosphate 3 oz
Keserite 3 oz (NA Kays)

Failing that try something like JI No2

[Tigger]

You could grow globe artichokes or chinese artichokes, as either are very invasive if grown in open ground. Both are good to eat, even if they do have a somewhat smelly side effect!

[buncieblack]

Cheers for that info Nick,I will gives yer mans method a try but I think I will just get some J/I no2 to keep things simple (Im easily confused).
I have 4 barrels so I will try two with Nicks mates suggestion and the other two I will try riddled soil and 50% peat.
I have been advised to cut the bottom from the barrels to avoid any drainage issues.
I have ordered long carrot seed from a chap called Keith Foster who is a champion grower from North Yorkshire.
Thanks for your comments.

[nick the grief]

Hi BB, I think that he grows his in barrels in a poly tunnel & yes he's the current National long Carrot champion. So your staring off with some good stock.

If you can, get hold of a book gy Sue Stickland called Seed saving (I think) It's on the HDRA website. That will tell you how to save the seed of your champion carrots to save buying new every year as these aren't F1 hybrids so you can safely save your own seed.

You won't be able to do that with Gladiator Parsnips of course as it's an F1 Hybrid.

Also you have to be careful with Parsnips when they go to seed and the sap from the shoots reacts with Sunlight & will cause painfull blisters on your skin.

[buncieblack]

Im looking forward to giving these big carrots a try, but sadly it will have to wait for a while as I am being dragged off on hols on Fri for a week.
I would rather spend the week on the allotment, but she who must be obey thinks otherwise.
The seed wasnt that expensive considering the stock its from,just under a £5 delivered (200seed min).
Think I will give the parsnips a miss as I dont enjoy them much anyway.
I thought I might try a couple of the tumbler type tomato plants in a barrel, with some added protection of course.
Will keep the grapevine informed of how things go during the summer.
Cheers John

[andrewo]

Doesn't really count as my barrels are metal but I have grown climbing beans in them and they now are home for one of my hops (they have pernicious roots). Tomatoes also work well up a wigwam interplanted with nasturtiums, three to a barrel.