Message Board - BigPumpkins.com

Hamilton Nj

anyone else growing in containers this year????

im haveing a problem with the condo association telling me i cant plant my garden this year!! so i think im gonna get 30-40 5 gallon buckets just so i have a mater patch!!! ggrrr,
pizza

4/17/2012 3:38:51 PM

So.Cal.Grower

Torrance, Ca.

Now that would be a real bummer!

4/17/2012 6:12:13 PM

The North Coast

pizza- this may be a blessing in disguise...have you looked into the earth box technique using two 5 gallon pails or two rubbermaid containers? You can set up a string of those then hook up an automatic watering system. Look into how to keep the water level up in numerous containers...it is good stuff and totally automated by simple means. The secret is Youtube...

4/17/2012 6:30:37 PM

Hamilton Nj

yeah it sucks,but dont want to plant garden and half to dig it up!!!! in june,lol, thanks batcave ill have to check it out!!! im working on a new pad for next year hopefully a big yard to grow in!!!! are u talking aeroponics???? with a airpump or with a water pump???? pizza

4/17/2012 10:44:53 PM

Omaha, Ne.

I grow a few bucket tomatoes each year. Some do well some don't. just be sure to put plenty of drain holes or the soil will sour. I also use drip line to water for 1 min 2 times a day, 3 if it gets hot. Plus a feeding once a week.
Don't get a topy-turvy. (junk)
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=175651

4/17/2012 10:56:53 PM

The North Coast

Just go to Youtube and search 5 gallon earth box and you will see how to build a planter with a built in water reservoir. Then you can see how to set up a simple means of keeping the water level up in all the buckets at the same time. The automatic filler is a must. In the summer(when fruiting) the tomatoes use a lot of water and will use the water fast. These things are also made out of the rubbermade containers. I did one last year and grew a huge tomato plant and a huge cucumber plant out of the same container.

The water in the containers can start to smell anaerobic at times but an occasional flushing did the trick.

If you want to roll with the idea let me know and I can give you more pointers.

4/18/2012 7:42:43 AM

Omaha, Ne.

you inspired me Bat. I think its time to give it a try. Can you point me to the right vid. Is this the like your talking about?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lE8OrdUZQKk
dchristensen68@cox.net

4/18/2012 8:39:15 AM

The North Coast

Yes, that is the idea. There are quite a number of variations to the idea but they all have a reservoir and a plastic soil cover. I actually like the style made from the rubbermade containers. They have a larger root area.

The automatic watering system is nice. To do it, all containers must be level with each other then you draw a siphon between each of the reservoirs. You will also need a separate container who's sole purpose is to control the water level in all the other container. This can be a 5 gallon pail. Install a float valve to keep that container partially filled at all times, then the water level in this container equals the water level in all the siphon connected containers. You can run the float valve with the very user friendly 1/4" line. This system will give you plants that get automatic watering, no weeds, no moles and voles, no soil born disease, just controlled growth.

Last year I grew a semi compact tomato variety called Mountain Magic in my earth box. The plant was trained into two stems and reached over 10 feet high. The cucumber in the same container was County Fair and it too was trained to two vines and they stretched on for over 12'.

Most people just use simple potting soil with some organic amendments, however some soils wick water more effectively than others. You should do a little research on the kind that will work the best.

I like the idea so much that I recommended it to my mother. She wanted tomatoes close to the house that didnt need much up keep. She made 6 or 7 of them installing a tomato cage in each rubbermade container before adding the soil. She loved them. All of her tomatoes were above her head at the end of the season.

4/18/2012 9:37:42 AM

The North Coast

Other good advice:

Fill your containers so that they mound up in the middle (overfilled). This mound and the plastic covering allows all rain fall to shed off the planter.

Some videos show them just putting the fertilizer on the top but I'd just take the time to mix it all up.

You can always just peel back the plastic at any point and add some liquid fish or whatever else you may want. Then cover it back up and you are ready to roll again.

Some folks say that the plastic rubbermade containers are not food grade and should be not used...you can make your own decision.

4/18/2012 9:48:15 AM

Omaha, Ne.

What was the feeding program did you use on your tomato and cuke combo.
The big trouble I have had with just bucket is that they was always over watered or under watered. I think is time this old dog try something new.
Thanks again

4/18/2012 9:44:53 PM

The North Coast

If I remember correctly, I just put some organic all purpose in the soil mix and probably dosed it a few times with a liquid fertilizer.

The one problem that I had was keeping up with the water needs in the summer. That's why from now on they will get the automatic h20. It is not too hard to set up and you can sleep easy at night.

4/19/2012 7:06:37 AM

Hamilton Nj

pretty neat batcave,will have to try it, finally found a good video that exsplains it,i saw 2 types one with a pipe that u water like every week and the automatic one looks good too,i like the double bucket even saw a guy put a piece of a sheet in one like a giant wick,lol, worked awsome for him!!! thank you!!! pizza

4/19/2012 9:39:47 PM

The North Coast

Last year was my first year using them and filling the reservoirs through the pipe was difficult with a busy schedule. My container must of dried out a dozen times or more. Those things suck some water in the summer time like you wouldn't believe.

I saw a video of a farmer who put landscape fabric over his whole field then ran rows of earthboxes every few feet. He used an all organic medium and all organic fertilizers so in one year he qualified for certified organic status and got the premium price for his tomatoes. All the containers were fed water automatically. He used coconut hair for the growing medium. Now that was pretty neat.

4/20/2012 8:09:46 AM

Hamilton Nj

thanks batcave ,im doomed just heard back from condo asociation my whole garden is done,not even pots!!! maybe when i get my new pad,currently looking!!! pizza

4/20/2012 11:11:06 PM

SEAMSFASTER

East Carbon, Utah

That really sucks that they won't even let you use containers! It's very convenient to garden in your own yard, if you have one, but sometimes you've got to get on your knees and beg other people who do have some unused bit of land. I do most of my growing on my sister's property, which is over 2 miles away.

I think 5 gallon buckets would work well for pepper plants and many other small to medium types. But most tomato varieties would not do well in such small containers. In 2010 I grew a couple of tomato plants (Belmonte and Big Zac) in 55 gallon drums. They produced a few small fruits.

In my mind, the biggest problem with container growing is stressing out the roots and soil microorganisms when the blazing sun of July and August can heat the soil to 100° plus - at least where I live. I imagine there are ways to compensate for this too.

Good luck

4/21/2012 4:22:03 AM