Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Frugal Living => Topic started by: fallen angel on March 30, 2011, 17:44

Title: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: fallen angel on March 30, 2011, 17:44

Ok I had a look in a budget shop in my town today and saw car boot tidies for £1.29 It made me think and I wondered could I put some holes in for drainage and fill with soil and have an instant bed? They seem to be made of the same stuff that the planters and everything are made of so will I need holes for drainage? Admitedly they are smaller but hey bigger isn't always best is it?

Many thanks Nicky

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: gypsy on March 30, 2011, 18:33

I dont see why it would not work, make sure they will not fall over though and put some holes in the bottom. CC

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: missycat on March 30, 2011, 18:36

Not sure what they look like/ how deep they are but at £1.29 it's probably worth a try.
If you try filling with water before you fill with compost you can check how good the drainage is.
Don't forget to post piccies if you go ahead :)

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: fallen angel on March 30, 2011, 18:39

Thanks I thought they would work too but wanted to check I have seen a pack of 2 "beds" same material just bigger for £10 the only differences I can tell are the size and the "beds" have some kind of support with them but I am pretty sure that I can find something to support them?!

Seems silly paying so much for something when something else will do!

I also saw in Morrison's today a pop up garden tidy for £3 and thought that would make a good potato or bean planter just needs some drainage? So much cheaper than the real thing?

Many thanks Nicky

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: fallen angel on March 30, 2011, 18:40

Filling with water is a great idea thank you :-)

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: missycat on March 30, 2011, 19:27

Just a thought re using pop-up garden tidy for potatoes...If the material lets light through you could end up with inedible green potatoes around the edges although the ones further in should be fine.

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: fallen angel on March 30, 2011, 20:56

That's true as a way of fixing that it could be lined with a black bin bag maybe?

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: Yorkie on March 30, 2011, 20:59

Yes you could do that - just make sure you have made sufficient drainage holes in the bag

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on March 30, 2011, 21:24

I have used empty multi-purpose compost bags which are black inside as potato bags, even cheaper, they usually only get thrown away.  Fold the tops over which helps keep them a bit rigid and as you earth up, unfold a little at a time!

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: fallen angel on March 30, 2011, 22:41

GrannieAnnie I wish I had thought of that 3 days ago when I threw 2 out without thinking!  >:( Serves me right for going into tidy up mode! On the good side I have more bags of compost in the shed that will be being used soon so will make sure I remember not to throw them away!

Thank you Nicky

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on March 30, 2011, 22:54

It takes practice to come up with stupid ideas like that!! lol

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: operabunny on April 03, 2011, 20:27

I do the same thing Grannie  :)

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: GrannieAnnie on April 03, 2011, 21:14

what use empty compost bags or come up with stupid ideas??   :lol: :lol: :lol:

Title: Re: WOULD THIS WORK?
Post by: operabunny on April 05, 2011, 08:14

Both!  :lol: :lol: :lol: