Rhubarb Forcers

[berksmike]

Wanted a proper rhubarb forcer but don't want to fork out the money most vendors want for them!

Has anyone got any alternatives that are as attractive? I thought of using upturned terracotta pots but have struggled to find ones the right shape . ie wide and very tall

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Mike

[Alice]

Is your rhubarb in your front garden Berksmike. I just use a bucket and I don't know anyone who uses anything else. Do you want it for forcing rhubarb, or is it a garden ornament you want. If it's the ornamental value you're after, I'm afraid they just cost money.

[Snadger]

There are some mass produced compost bins which are quite ornanmental and can usually be picked up cheaply or even for free off the local council. If you popped these over the rhubarb to blanch them they would look ok.

I'm with you on this one berksmike as I am trying to set up a Potager garden which is basically a Victorian walled garden without walls.
The Victorians over engineered/elaborated everything and as well as ornamental forcers I would like ornamental terranium type bell cloches.

My feelings are that because a vegetable garden is utilitarian it doesn't mean it can't be decorative.

Most decorative garden items can have a reasonably priced alternative, the secret is in finding them!

[nick the grief]

Hi Snadger,

Geoff hamilton made his version of the lantern Cloche out of perspex and silicon sealer I'll see if I can find the bit in the book & fotocopy it for you ( or scan it in for every one to see) If you wanted it a bit more decorative you could always use the stick on "lead" that is advertised.

Rhubarb Forcing pots have always ben expensive they were about 25/- (25 shillings or £1-25p for you young whpper snappers) in the 1800's which I guess would £800 these days (based on average earnings) so if it's about £50 they're cheap in realative term ( as politicians would say) The only alternatives I can think of would be one of the cheap black plastic dustbins ( about £10 from your local farmstores) then you could cut the bottom off and turn it upside down) and paint it with acrylic paint to make it look like Terracotto.

[xspye]

I used old tyres with a piece of wood over the top. Easy to vary the height although not as asthetically pleaseing as a nice terracota pot!!!

[SueA]

Hi Berksmike, if you can get hold of an old chimney pot that would work with a tile or something on top but they are often quite expensive when you see them in salvage yards but you might be lucky!

[Headfry]

Why dont they make like-a-like plastic forcing pots!
just a little thought!

[Grandpadragon]

[QUOTE=nick the grief;78326]Hi Snadger,
Rhubarb Forcing pots have always ben expensive they were about 25/- (25 shillings or £1-25p for you young whpper snappers) in the 1800's which I guess would £800 these days QUOTE]

Whats that in groats Nick? I don't understand this modern money of shillings and pence.

[bramble]

An old bucket is just as good as anything else you will find. I use a metal bucket so it wont blow away with the wind.