Growing Garlic/Onions in Containers

[Kimbo]

I have some square containers that are 20 x 20cm and 17cm deep - would I be able to grow garlic and/or onions/shallots in these? I dont want to clog up my beds with stuff that is going to take ages to grow when I could be getting some quick crop stuff in there and containers seem ideal as everything else is in raised beds anyway.

[Flummery]

I'd have a go. My garlic is in fish boxes at the moment - growing really well.

[pukka.tukka]

Hi

I have grown garlic and onions in pots, brown/orange sqaures ones & green round ones, and they have both grown well.

The onions & garlic I have in pots in the garden are doing better than the ones in the Lotty.

[snake the squadie]

not tried onions but carnt see why not and if you have got nothing to loose try it but i always grow my garlic in pots with good results

[Pieman]

The only thing I would say is that you are late for Garlic (unless the question is for research for next year)......it should work in containers....

[Cutecumber]

You can certainly grow garlic and onions in containers, though 17cm depth is pushing it a bit.

The irony of your argument is that things which take longer to grow to fruition will be much happier and more productive in the ground, while your "quick crop stuff" would probably be better in the container.

Just a thought

[Kimbo]

You can certainly grow garlic and onions in containers, though 17cm depth is pushing it a bit.

The irony of your argument is that things which take longer to grow to fruition will be much happier and more productive in the ground, while your "quick crop stuff" would probably be better in the container.

Just a thought

my raised beds are only 15cm depth - will they be ok in there?

[Paulottie]

I'm with CuteC on this one. Onions need consistancy -especially in watering, or they will bolt. Also, with alliums it defiately holds true that rich soil and lots of space results in bigger onions. Though it is perfectly possible to grow clumps of very satisfactory kitchen sized onions at less than recomended spacings in raised beds...

Raised beds only 15cm deep? are they on membrane or something then? the usual thing is to to break up the bottom improve drainage if necessary then remove perennial weeds before filling with screened quality compost and topsoil. The reason they are intensive is the soil structure because they are never compacted. plus being regularly mulched.

Salads are ideal in a box

[Kimbo]

I'm with CuteC on this one. Onions need consistancy -especially in watering, or they will bolt. Also, with alliums it defiately holds true that rich soil and lots of space results in bigger onions. Though it is perfectly possible to grow clumps of very satisfactory kitchen sized onions at less than recomended spacings in raised beds...

Raised beds only 15cm deep? are they on membrane or something then? the usual thing is to to break up the bottom improve drainage if necessary then remove perennial weeds before filling with screened quality compost and topsoil. The reason they are intensive is the soil structure because they are never compacted. plus being regularly mulched.

Salads are ideal in a box

they are linkabord beds on plastic. I am not looking to grow huge onions so what do you think is the minimum depth I could get away with?

[Paulottie]

Plastic? are we talking permeable membrane or a water barrier here? If its the latter I still suggest you
remove the plastic at the end of the season by which time most weeds will have been smothered...then double dig the beds.leave it out in future.

Give them a go I'm sure you will get a crop.

[Kimbo]

Plastic? are we talking permeable membrane or a water barrier here? If its the latter I still suggest you
remove the plastic at the end of the season by which time most weeds will have been smothered...then double dig the beds.leave it out in future.

Give them a go I'm sure you will get a crop.

Well I was out in the garden at 8.30 this morning and I have finished off the half dug out bed that I was going to make into a fruit patch (one of those projects that you keep saying I will do it in a few months), filled it with compost hope it is deep enough or they will have to cope with very heavy clay soil that kills everything except weeds and it is now an onion bed.

The garlic I am going to do in the containers which are now duly filled and garlic planted.

[Paulottie]

Great leave the garlic out in the cold they like it.

When you break up the clay underneath add in sharp sand, gravel and loads of organic matter to improve the drainage anyway. I garden on a sandy loam so i'm no expert but The only proviso is that you shouldn't create a sump- into which the surrounding clay will give up its water. If the water table is high there you can consider digging drainage channels -pipe or gravel away from you beds.

Also consider choosing brassicas as a crops choice as they like heavy soil- I bet you'll grow fab Brussel sprouts and cauliflowers there. Always helpful to take a peek and see what and how the locals grow veg there.

[rustylady]

they are linkabord beds on plastic. I am not looking to grow huge onions so what do you think is the minimum depth I could get away with?

Why are your raised beds on plastic?

[Kimbo]

Why are your raised beds on plastic?

because the clay soil underneath is way too heavy to dig out and the grass here is really tough to get rid of and all the beds are on what used to be lawn area