[sunshineband]

Never tried this ... maybe try it next year. Like the idea of making the rings out od old bags  too

[home made pie]

I used the cheapest B&Q grow bags last year, no probs at all, didn't do anything other than plant three tomato plants in each grow bag, easy peasy, then just used a liquid feed later on

I've already bought them again for this year, I was thinking about adding a bottomless plant pot to add height but as I had no problems last year I'm wondering if I should "quit while I'm ahead"

Actually I've just thought...I'll try it both ways and see what happens 

[Paul Plots]

"Home amde pie" - give ring culture a go... some grow-bags are so shallow that I tried ring-culture (with the pot on the top) and this seemed to give the plants more chance to develop their root system... worked well last year despite lack of sun 

[sunshineband]

"Home amde pie" - give ring culture a go... some grow-bags are so shallow that I tried ring-culture (with the pot on the top) and this seemed to give the plants more chance to develop their root system... worked well last year despite lack of sun 

Did you use your plastic stapled thingys?

[home made pie]

Cheers I will try that, I definately agree the cheap grow bags are very thin
Jan

[Paul Plots]

"Home amde pie" - give ring culture a go... some grow-bags are so shallow that I tried ring-culture (with the pot on the top) and this seemed to give the plants more chance to develop their root system... worked well last year despite lack of sun 

Did you use your plastic stapled thingys?

My wife bought me a pack of 3 plastic-stapled thingies (that doesn't quite sound right somehow but you know what I mean)....... they were very nice (cheap / special offer job so I was happy) but I needed more and no intention of paying full-price (laughed when I saw how dear they should have been = "You're joking!!"    )

So...... I chopped up a couple of old plastic compost bags to make rectangular strips, turned them inside out so black was the outer colour. Made conical tapering rings (not quite cylindrical as the bought ones weren't but cylinders would be fine). So I had "rings" with open tops and bottoms fastened with a stapler to make sure they kept their shape.

Next I put the grow-bags in place, cut the normal sized opening and plonked the "rings" on the top. I then filled each "ring" not quite to the top with compost (any sort will do - from a cheap grow bag if needed but I used a cheap peat based compost).

Next follow ring-culture directions....... (I must look these up again to make sure I get it right in a few weeks time  )

[sunshineband]

I get the picture now --- I shall definitiely have to try this with the kids ... wonder how long it will take them to make the stapled thingys  Thanks for the tip

[Paul Plots]

I get the picture now --- I shall definitiely have to try this with the kids ... wonder how long it will take them to make the stapled thingys  Thanks for the tip

I think I would look for something to wrap the plastic around.... maybe a large (12" ?) flower-pot would serve as a template / mould?

They could then ease the plastic up and staple one part before removing it altogether and stapling the other end...

Just a thought. 

[sunshineband]

I get the picture now --- I shall definitiely have to try this with the kids ... wonder how long it will take them to make the stapled thingys  Thanks for the tip

I think I would look for something to wrap the plastic around.... maybe a large (12" ?) flower-pot would serve as a template / mould?

They could then ease the plastic up and staple one part before removing it altogether and stapling the other end...

Just a thought. 

and one I appreciate. Thank you!!