Blue Plastic Barrel Uses

[Dynamite]

Hi Everyone. I have acquired two blue plastic barrels. Both clean and only one with a circular clamp type lid. They are the big ones, like 50 gallon size.

I am figuring what the best uses would be and interested in what other people have done.

I don’t need water butts as I have enough of those. I do need soil so maybe I could compost something in them, although I already have two Dalek’s and struggle to get enough material to fill them.

That aside, still interested in what you can do with them so let’s have all your ideas no matter how wild, way out and wacky they may be.

Kind Regards.............Rob

[SarrissUK]

I have only just acquired one on the allotment, and I have already started filling it up with roots and weeds that I don't want to risk putting in the compost. I'm hoping it will fill up naturally with water, as the taps have been turned off for the winter at the plot
This will create a free feed for the plants!

[SarrissUK]

Oh my word, I love pinterest for stuff like this... How about this veg store?
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/290411875952901540/

[Thelma Sanders]

Cut them in half, drill holes in the bottom and grow carrots (above carrot fly height?) or grow potatoes in them..

[Small pumpkin]

I've done the same as Thelma. I've grown, chillies and sweet potatoes in mine.
They are brilliant things. Good for storing chicken feed in as well ( before cutting in half )

[veggiechicken]

Cut in half for root crops and I've put a bean support inside and grown beans in one.
Mostly they're used for water, linked together.

[rary]

I use one for holding used compost from my flower baskets, an other one for holding compost from potato and tomato buckets and one for fresh compost, an other use would be for making liquid feed for the garden

[Chestnut]

Use as large plant pots for crops which risk becoming invasive weeds? Stuff like mint, horseradish

[Small pumpkin]

You could also cut them length ways and have a reading made raised bed. You'd get a good depth in the middle and not too bad on the edges either. Obviously drill holes in it for drainage. And you need to dig a little trench / gulley to seat it in to stop rocking.
Lots of people do that with mussel floats up here. ( just had an idea for my new garden if it happens )

[bikermike]

Less sensible ideas
small bar
ice bucket for beer (need to cut it down a bit)
hide in it to catch allotment thieves


I'd use it as another waterbut. I don't think you can ever store too much water, especially with the way the climate is changing...

[MyWifesBrassicas]

hi,
you could cut holes in the side of your barrel, fill it with compost and plant hanging tomatoes, strawberry plants or anything for that matter

[Doncasterpaul]

As sarriss says,
i have a tap at the bottom, fill it with nettles and have a rain pipe/overflow pipe going in. FREE liquid plant food

[Penellype]

You could use the one with the lid for storing things like nets and fleece that take up quite a bit of space if not contained.

[lottie dolly]

Mine were as already been said,i tried the one with holes in planted up with strawbs a few years ago,had a holie pipe down the middle woth gravel,and the only ones that lived were the top,the blue berry plants are great in the large ones cut in half with holes and brick drainage,i am able to move them obot if needed viea a sack barrow,am now wondering about the rhubarb,Sariss,thanks for the link,some great ideas on there.

[Chippy Minton]

Less sensible ideas
small bar
ice bucket for beer (need to cut it down a bit)
hide in it to catch allotment thieves


I'd use it as another waterbut. I don't think you can ever store too much water, especially with the way the climate is changing...

Or you could take one to America and go over Niagara Falls, or build a raft ready for the spring floods?

They look ideal as potato planters, we grew JA's in something similar to keep them contained, or maybe horseradish or mint (all requiring containment).