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Strawberries in recycled compost bags

LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
in Fruit & veg
Hi all

I have these 2 big galvanized planters that i picked up from an job i worked on a few years ago.



My thought initially was to build a frame inside it on which to stand plastic pots in which i was going to grow strawberries. Unfortunately i can't seem to find any 10-12" plastic pots in any of my local garden centers!

So today i was wondering, what if i use some old compost bags half full of fresh MPC, roll down the tops and plant in that? I'd punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage and could even put some stones in the bottom. Any reason this wouldn't work? It's just the same as grow bags, right?

Thanks
I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It could work, but those containers will heat up quite quickly, so you'd need to be vigilant re watering, and maybe have them in a slightly shadier spot. Are there holes in the bottom of them though?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I like the way they are an exact fit for that space you had waiting for them :)
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    edited May 2020
    @Fairygirl will they heat up even if I'm not planting into them, ie it'll just be the bags sitting inside the planter without touching the sides? And yes, the planter had holes at the bottom. Also should be ok to stay on top of watering, it's not like I'm going anywhere! 😏

    @steephill it was like one of Bob Ross' happy little accidents 😀
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hopefully they'll be ok then  :)
    It might be worth keeping them up off the base a little bit if you can too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    @Fairygirl the plan was to do something like this:


    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Looks ok @London_to_Latimer. You might just need to keep an eye on them that they don't topple over a bit, but otherwise, you should be fine :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    Brilliant, thanks as always @Fairygirl!
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068



    On the whole I'm pretty happy with that!
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that's looking fine. Hope you get a nice wee crop  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LatimerLatimer Posts: 1,068
    @Fairygirl less wee and more huge would be preferred! 😉
    I’ve no idea what I’m doing. 
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