Ideas wanted for gutter growing

[OllieMartin]

I have a dirty great, south-facing, breezeblock wall in my garden and I had the idea to run four or five 8' lengths of guttering along it planted with...something.

Any ideas what would do well in guttering? It can't need a particularly strong root system, can't grow too tall and can't grow too wide as it will be restricted by the wall and the guttering above it.

I could use it for new seedlings before transplanting, but I've already got space for those and wanted to make use of the ugly wall.

[pdblake]

Cut and come again salad mixes, the odd lettuce.

Strawberries? I have some in a wooden trough that is only about 4x4 inches and they do well.

Beetroot maybe, you might even get a decent salad onion in there. Radishes. A fair few herbs might do well there too.

[Incy]

If it's south facing it may be too hot for salads/lettuces?
Herbs would be good. it would also help keep things like mint and marjoram from spreading too much.
I like pdblakes strawberry idea ( mine are in hanging baskets this year and loving it).

[OllieMartin]

Yes the strawberry idea is sounding good, is it too late to plant now though?

Lettuces would be good, it'd be like a supermarket shelf! But as you say, too sunny and I already have quite a few lettuces scattered about the plot.

Keep the ideas coming!

[pdblake]

You could always hang some greenhouse shading or thick netting in front of it to solve the sun problem.

[johninblackpool]

Hi OllieMartin

I posted a similar question about a month or so ago so search me out
But in the end i have stuck to radishes, spring onions, carrots and in the deepest centre part beetroot but use when no bigger than a large gobstopper.
You will have to drill lots of holes in the bottom and water a couple of times a day in this weather.
Hope you have as good a harvest as I have had and its only my 1st year growing Veggies

[Incy]

You could always hang some greenhouse shading or thick netting in front of it to solve the sun problem.

or if you're growing several tiers grow some trailing flowers just above

[pdblake]

or if you're growing several tiers grow some trailing flowers just above

Or some peas.

[Lottieknees]

Watercress.

seeing your post reminded me that this is what i might go and get for my seeds!

[Kane]

Put some shelves up and stand pots on them to get more depth - I've shelved out the spaces between the fence posts this year - helps to keep them above rabbit height as well

[BFG]

Shelves would be good. An easy alternative is a wooden batten across holding loads of upside down milk cartons with the bottom cut off. The handle gap slides on to the batten. I probably saw it on here somewhere..

[kevnsue]

See me if you need any gutter !!!!!!!!!
It's on ebay.

[OllieMartin]

^ Did you say it's on Freecycle?

hehe