I find them useful for starting off sweet peas and runner beans both of which like to make deep roots - the root trainers mean the roots don't get so damaged when planting out.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm told they're very good so yes, go ahead. Freebies have to be good.
Personally, I use loo roll centres as I couldn't find root trainers here until recently. They biodegrade so I can just plant the whole thing - no root disturbance - and don't have to fuss about paying for, or cleaning and storing the plastic version in between uses.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
When we plant out seedlings the bigger and deeper and more abundant the roots the better it is for getting the veg started in the open soil.They can be grown longer in the warmth and shelter of the house or conservatory
That said it must be the depth of the trainer that is the main benefit.
I will try toilet rolls on a few plants just to see what difference it makes
? Do they encourage more roots or is it just the depth
? Which plants NEED bigger roots to start off
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I find them useful for starting off sweet peas and runner beans both of which like to make deep roots - the root trainers mean the roots don't get so damaged when planting out.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm told they're very good so yes, go ahead. Freebies have to be good.
Personally, I use loo roll centres as I couldn't find root trainers here until recently. They biodegrade so I can just plant the whole thing - no root disturbance - and don't have to fuss about paying for, or cleaning and storing the plastic version in between uses.
This is my theory
When we plant out seedlings the bigger and deeper and more abundant the roots the better it is for getting the veg started in the open soil.They can be grown longer in the warmth and shelter of the house or conservatory
That said it must be the depth of the trainer that is the main benefit.
I will try toilet rolls on a few plants just to see what difference it makes
? Do they encourage more roots or is it just the depth
? Which plants NEED bigger roots to start off
It's not that some plants need bigger roots - it's that some plants' roots go deeper, whereas some are shallow rooted.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
As always thanks Dove and Verdun
I would recommend root-trainers for growing sweet peas (with one reservation) that is they are best for seed sown in autumn.
Still okay, but the advantages decrease for seed sown after Christmas and beyond as root congestion is less of a problem.