[HLS]

I've searched the forums and found a couple of references to people growing mangetout in containers.  A couple of years ago I grew some in a two foot square tub which worked reasonably well except that I didn't sow enough for a whole meal's worth in one go (they weren't bad added to salads a few at a time but it did get a bit frustrating).

This year I'd like to grow them again but (a) I'd like to get a better crop, and (b) I want to use the tub for tomatoes.  I've got some troughs - about 1m x 1ft at the top, a couple of inches less all round at the bottom, and about a foot and a half high.  Do you think they would work, and if so, any suggestions for how many seeds and how to support them (I'm not very good at making cane structures that actually stay up)?

[Doddy]

we used a similar sized tub last year, perhaps not as deep (maybe 8-10") and maybe only similar width. This was pre-lotty days when much of our plans revolved around "shove the brown bit in the ground and hope for the best", and we had probably 5 plants (I can't remember), and in possibly the worst place possible (on the north size of an east-west slatted fence 7ft tall, against the west face of the house), so got only partial sunshine for only half of the day.

We got a fair number of pods from that, and missed many more (until they grew massive), hence the determination this year to go for more colourful pods. We did probably eat more off the plant than went into the cooking.


We tried to get by with 5ft canes (Morrison's own) wired together in a straight line, looking back it was laughable, although some support for that from the fence. Now I'm a year older and wiser I'd suggest a proper frame (series of A-frames with a top-running cane to keep things rigid).

[TerryB]

DD will be along soon but I think you could plant them 2/3 inch apart.

[DD.]

Have a look at this in my diary, something similar to what you're proposing.

Stick them in, as suggested 3" apart - canes & twine - easy!

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=69457.msg836890#msg836890

[HLS]

Excellent, I knew someone would have done it before.  Thanks all!