Print PDF
Favorite
Email
Living under redwood trees is fantastic, with a few minor exceptions, for die-hard gardeners. My greatest curse-provoker is slug eaten plants. My seedlings hardly have a chance to get started before our slimy natives mow them down. So this project is great to protect food and flower crops from chomping AND to use containers for any reason.
So far, I haven't caught a single slug (banana or otherwise) in this set of barrels. With a drip system installed, plants remain healthy even through hot spells. This is the ultimate low maintenance system for a veggie garden! I recommend installing a drip irrigation system as soon as possible after planting or at the same time.
I could have set up all my barrels in one day, but I paced myself physically and financially by doing this project in stages. And, of course, sometimes you just run out of materials or daylight. You can split the project up many ways. Do what works for you!
So far, I haven't caught a single slug (banana or otherwise) in this set of barrels. With a drip system installed, plants remain healthy even through hot spells. This is the ultimate low maintenance system for a veggie garden! I recommend installing a drip irrigation system as soon as possible after planting or at the same time.
I could have set up all my barrels in one day, but I paced myself physically and financially by doing this project in stages. And, of course, sometimes you just run out of materials or daylight. You can split the project up many ways. Do what works for you!
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Materials
Containers - Mine are giant nursery pots purchased at a local garden center. Here's a tip though, if you get them used, you might be able to score them for free or super-duper cheap. Check Freecycle or Craig's List.
Carpet tape - You need indoor/outdoor rated stuff. It is double-sided and has a strip of paper on one side that peels off after getting it positioned. It also comes in white or black, but the color doesn't matter.
Copper tape - This can be quite pricey! In fact, you'll see it a version available that is sticky backed, but it costs more. Use it if you want to cut out a step though. My roll is very, very thin copper with no sticky backing and cost $5 at a garage sale. A steal!
Knife/scissors/pruners - I found a knife to be much more efficient. This is for cutting the carpet tape, copper tape and opening bags of soil. The carpet tape is killer on pruners and leaves them sticky, icky.
Gloves - Always! Protect your fingers from sharp edges, critters, and future sore hands.
Soil - Mix your own or purchase. You're going to need a bunch of it.
Rocks/brick/pavers - My barrels sit on river rock to encourage good drainage and level the area under my containers.
Amendments/fertilizer/compost/worm castings - I use mostly worm castings and home grown compost to make my plants happy, but you may have a favorite plant food. You can also use plant food that is specific to what you are planting (veggies, acid-loving plants, bulb food, etc).
Mulch - You'll see that I top all my beds with rice hulls. It's easy, very cheap, super sustainable, long lasting and appears to keep the cats out of my beds (doesn't feel good in their paws).
And, of course, plants and seeds - My beds are primarily for edibles since I don't have enough sun anywhere else, but I've mixed in all kinds of pollinator friendly plants and some with great foliage that will last beyond my food growing season. I also started all of my veggies from seed this year: some in starter pots on the deck and some right in the barrels. Both are doing well.
Carpet tape - You need indoor/outdoor rated stuff. It is double-sided and has a strip of paper on one side that peels off after getting it positioned. It also comes in white or black, but the color doesn't matter.
Copper tape - This can be quite pricey! In fact, you'll see it a version available that is sticky backed, but it costs more. Use it if you want to cut out a step though. My roll is very, very thin copper with no sticky backing and cost $5 at a garage sale. A steal!
Knife/scissors/pruners - I found a knife to be much more efficient. This is for cutting the carpet tape, copper tape and opening bags of soil. The carpet tape is killer on pruners and leaves them sticky, icky.
Gloves - Always! Protect your fingers from sharp edges, critters, and future sore hands.
Soil - Mix your own or purchase. You're going to need a bunch of it.
Rocks/brick/pavers - My barrels sit on river rock to encourage good drainage and level the area under my containers.
Amendments/fertilizer/compost/worm castings - I use mostly worm castings and home grown compost to make my plants happy, but you may have a favorite plant food. You can also use plant food that is specific to what you are planting (veggies, acid-loving plants, bulb food, etc).
Mulch - You'll see that I top all my beds with rice hulls. It's easy, very cheap, super sustainable, long lasting and appears to keep the cats out of my beds (doesn't feel good in their paws).
And, of course, plants and seeds - My beds are primarily for edibles since I don't have enough sun anywhere else, but I've mixed in all kinds of pollinator friendly plants and some with great foliage that will last beyond my food growing season. I also started all of my veggies from seed this year: some in starter pots on the deck and some right in the barrels. Both are doing well.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
Thanks,
Kevin
Buffalo NY