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Right Base Materials for large Rectangular Planters
Atacama
Posts: 87
Hi again, just following on previous post asking for advise what to plant, I could also use some advice what materials to prepare the planters with.
The planters are farm cattle feeders (heavy gauge galvanised steel build) with drainage holes and 350 mm deep by 350mm wide and 2.2 meters long. I have 4 of these.
I had planned to clean and paint with a hammerite coat the interiors to about 70% height and then spray undercoat them to prevent rust and degradation as far as possible. Or should they be lined with something else?
But then what to put in them? I thought a thin base sharp sand, some gravel for drainage and then a decent soil for beds and borders. I've used this one in very large pots in the same area and growing conditions very successfully....
https://www.gardentopsoildirect.co.uk/shop/topsoil/beds-border-blended-topsoil
But before I order anything, I'd be very interested in any advice and experience anyone has to offer. I'm an interested gardener and my knowledge is developing but far from expert.
I will add photos that will help visualise far clearer tomorrow morning.
The planters are farm cattle feeders (heavy gauge galvanised steel build) with drainage holes and 350 mm deep by 350mm wide and 2.2 meters long. I have 4 of these.
I had planned to clean and paint with a hammerite coat the interiors to about 70% height and then spray undercoat them to prevent rust and degradation as far as possible. Or should they be lined with something else?
But then what to put in them? I thought a thin base sharp sand, some gravel for drainage and then a decent soil for beds and borders. I've used this one in very large pots in the same area and growing conditions very successfully....
https://www.gardentopsoildirect.co.uk/shop/topsoil/beds-border-blended-topsoil
But before I order anything, I'd be very interested in any advice and experience anyone has to offer. I'm an interested gardener and my knowledge is developing but far from expert.
I will add photos that will help visualise far clearer tomorrow morning.
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Posts
Also remember to raise the containers off the ground a little so they drain freely over winter.
The topsoil looks fine, but I'd add some rotted manure into the mix to add fertility and more grit to open the texture.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I'm avoiding the sand. I have about 20 bags spare from another project and I think was looking for a way to loose a few
And raising the units is a good idea. I found a couple of packs of these spacers they use when fitting wooden floors and put two of them together. it gives 5-7mm of gap between the metal and the brickwork. I've then used C1 clear adhesive to fix them in place. Still undecided if to fix then more mechanically to the wall but the adhesive and weight of the soil I think should be easily enough.
The units I've cut and welded to size and then used a cold galvanised spray paint to patch the weld up. It's a bit fresh but will dull down. The galvanising needs cleaning but is good in thickness and consistency.
Here are the pics of the draft fit .... looks a bit industrial just now but when cleaned, fixed in and planted up I think they should be ok with some overhanging growth.
I'll post a few more when fully fixed in and prep'ed for planting. Thanks again for the support and advice
Bear in mind the compost is going to get very warm in the summer sun, so frequent watering will be needed.
If you can get enough foliage hanging over the sides that should make a big difference.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
It doesn't show yet but hopefully will be the weekend, but there will be a 20mm conduit fitted within the units and at the rear of the wall to route irrigation pipes, network cables for cameras and a power run ... all hidden away but allowing a lot of options.
And if this rotten rain gives over, I'm hoping to have them all fitted and sealed up internally. The gravel and soil lands tomorrow and it would good get them loaded up.
And as you say, the hang over I think will tone down the somewhat industrial hit that the exposed and empty product has right now.
Will keep you posted.
So the bags sold in garden centres is what you need.
It's usually labelled Farmyard Manure - mix that in with the soil and grit and you're ready to go
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
On the positive side, both sides are in free air and all the units will be fully irrigated ... they are on timers and watered morning and evening ... from memory for 15 mins on a drip feed. Mind a soaker pipe could be more effective from a cooling point of view.
Is something I will keep a good eve on. The metal itself is agricultural grade stuff ... very heavy rather than garden center type stuff. Whether that is good or bad I'm not yet sure.
Thanks for pointing that out. Is amazing how much input and guidance you can get from what seemed like such a simple question. So much to consider to get stuff right. But that's the fun of this stuff.