help with veg trug

Su Blackburn · May 2023

Hi, I have a large veg trug with cold frame on the top. I haven't grown veg before except for potatoes in a growing bag. I have lined the trug with old compost bags but unsure whether I should put drainage holes in it. Any suggestions of veg to grow as a novice would be helpful. Also do I keep it closed or open it up during the day? I've looked on the internet for help but can't find out how to grow veg in a trug with a cold frame on top. Thanks.

JennyJ · May 2023

How deep is is the trug (some veg need more root depth than others) and can the cold frame be removed? It could get too hot in there in the summer for things like lettuces and other salad leaves which are OK with a shallow container, but it won't have enough head-room for tomatoes and cucumbers which like heat but get tall. On the plus side, the cold frame will mean you can start things like salad leaves earlier than in the open, and probably keep them going for longer.

Choice of veg will depend on the above questions, but also on what you and your family like to eat - no point in growing stuff that you won't use.

Definitely put some drainage holes in the plastic lining.

war garden 572 · May 2023

yes you need drainage holes.

Su Blackburn · May 2023

Hi, the trug is 17 inches deep in the centre. (It's almost V shaped). The cold frame is removable and has 2 openings at the top. Looks like I need to research depth of roots and potential height of plant. I would like to grow strawberries, maybe chillies, lettuce, carrots and beetroot. Any recommendation for compost? Is multi purpose good enough or should I use a John Innis? Thanks for your help.

Su Blackburn · July 2023

Hi, just got a further question about my trug. I open up the cold frame in the morning and close it at night after watering. Is this the best regime? I am growing cos lettuce, baby carrots, beetroot and chilies. My dwarf peas just shrivelled up so I've lost those. A few of the beetroot leaves have wilted. I welcome any comments as this is my first time growing veg in a covered veg trug.

Fairygirl · July 2023

I'm not sure why you're covering it at this time of year. The only one of those that would need protection is chilli, and that would largely depend on where you're located as it's night time temps that matter.

Skandi · July 2023

You're growing some pretty incompatible things in there, lettuce likes it cool and wet and struggles even outside in mid summer, whereas chills like it as hot as you can manage and in most areas won't fruit outside at all.

The symptoms sound like overheating, but they could also be caused by either to much or to little water.

Fairygirl · July 2023

Yes - I agree @Skandi. Not ideal.
Depth might be an issue for beetroot [not sure as I don't grow it] but carrots also don't like richer conditions, so that can be a factor in their growth.

Waterbut · July 2023

Drainage holes definitely as you might finish up with a muddy bird bath. I forgot to drill holes in a very large plastic pot and that is what I finished up with.

Su Blackburn · July 2023

Thanks for your comments. The chilli is fruiting. It was originally in a pot in my mini greenhouse but I put it, still in it's pot, in the trug. The lettuce are doing fine and should be ready for harvesting in a couple of weeks. As for the carrots and beetroot I won't know until I dig one up in 2-3 weeks time.

help with veg trug

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