Everytime I see how much herbs cost to buy I say I will just grow them. Then after you buy everything you need to grow I say would just be cheaper to buy them.I have raised planters. I've tried containers. There is just no way around watering every day.
Part of the garden game.
Look into Dutch buckets. Been using them to grow hot peppers for a couple of years now and Ive had no trouble with very satisfying results.I live in Tx where it gets Hot! I have done the Container garden and you have to water every day. I mainly want herbs and some peppers. Looking for ideas?
Depends on what herbs you use a lot. We use a lot of Parsley and Chives. Plant a couple of Parsley plants in the spring and you can go snip some fresh all summer long into the fall. Parsley is pretty durable. Chives will take over your yard if you're not careful and come back every year. I have Sage and Thyme that comes back every year but we don't really use them much. Like I said; how much do you really use fresh herbs?Everytime I see how much herbs cost to buy I say I will just grow them. Then after you buy everything you need to grow I say would just be cheaper to buy them.
Ive been looking at the container garden thing also. Dont have a big back yard but want some fresh veggies. Have you looked at DIY self watering containers.
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DIY Self-Watering Planter
Self-watering planters are ideal for growing food! The container provides an enclosed growing system that offers a consistent water supply to your plants.growagoodlife.com
These are what im looking at doing.
Jim
Great link.Ive been looking at the container garden thing also. Dont have a big back yard but want some fresh veggies. Have you looked at DIY self watering containers.
![]()
DIY Self-Watering Planter
Self-watering planters are ideal for growing food! The container provides an enclosed growing system that offers a consistent water supply to your plants.growagoodlife.com
These are what im looking at doing.
Jim
Nice looking planters.Hi Brian: i have made a few planters that are self watering for customers of mine 2 were all cedar , and the other guy wanted 8 here are a couple pictures. One you fill them they are pretty self sufficient. They also have a overflow if it does happen to rain. Here is also i link to a page that describes how to make them . Of coarse i changed it for my liking
www.familyhandyman.com/project/build-your-own-self-watering-planter/
David
Watching this thread.
I live up nord. Don't have the heat issues (usually) but water bill can kill me in rainless summers.
Got an oak tree coming down that shades the garden way too long in the morning.
Will be leaving the north for Florida retirement in a few years.
Great link.
Nice looking planters.
Thanks for the link.
I did container gardening the last 3 years. This year I went hydroponically. 5 gallon buckets painted a light color to keep the heat down but black underneath to keep the light out. I’m using the Kratky method. It’s basically a “set it and forget it” method. Lots of videos on YouTube. I’ve got 68 plants started as of now. You can use large mason jars for herbs, or put three plants in one 5 gallon bucket.
here’s a shot of my setup so far.
Great point about trellis. First year I was completely caught off guard by what happened. I did not expect the growth and yields I experienced, so was not prepared for the weight. Also worth mentioning, if you are going to grow tomatoes do not choose anything with goliath or big boy in the name for a "small" operation.Jim has a good one there they work very well. I built my father a bunch of these and used the same system for some 5 gal buckets and he used to grow more produce than they could eat. The next big thing he hit me with was how to trellis the tomato plants because they were getting 10-12' high and he refused to plant determinate varieties because he liked the ones he had used in the past but they never grew this well before so never had to trellis them that high. While figuring, figure out how to trellis cucumbers they grow great vertically I ended up dropping a couple 4x4's in then running 2x4 welded wire between them when the cucumbers got about 10' up I'd go over and turn them back down. They never got back down and have to turn them up again but I have had them do it in my hydroponic system. Also a system to stake up eggplant if you decide to plant any his would normally get 6-8' high.
Brian we did put dad's containers where they would get sun about 1/2 the day then shaded as the afternoon went on. The other thing you could consider is putting up some shade cloth to help lessen the suns effects some of the big box stores are starting to carry some I buy them elsewhere for my high tunnels and get 40-50% and that is not to much in the summer in north FL I'm just north of I-10
I only get about a half day. I am looking into this.Jim has a good one there they work very well. I built my father a bunch of these and used the same system for some 5 gal buckets and he used to grow more produce than they could eat. The next big thing he hit me with was how to trellis the tomato plants because they were getting 10-12' high and he refused to plant determinate varieties because he liked the ones he had used in the past but they never grew this well before so never had to trellis them that high. While figuring, figure out how to trellis cucumbers they grow great vertically I ended up dropping a couple 4x4's in then running 2x4 welded wire between them when the cucumbers got about 10' up I'd go over and turn them back down. They never got back down and have to turn them up again but I have had them do it in my hydroponic system. Also a system to stake up eggplant if you decide to plant any his would normally get 6-8' high.
Brian we did put dad's containers where they would get sun about 1/2 the day then shaded as the afternoon went on. The other thing you could consider is putting up some shade cloth to help lessen the suns effects some of the big box stores are starting to carry some I buy them elsewhere for my high tunnels and get 40-50% and that is not to much in the summer in north FL I'm just north of I-10
Great point about trellis. First year I was completely caught off guard by what happened. I did not expect the growth and yields I experienced, so was not prepared for the weight. Also worth mentioning, if you are going to grow tomatoes do not choose anything with goliath or big boy in the name for a "small" operation.
Looks like you still need add water everyday?Jim has a good one there they work very well. I built my father a bunch of these and used the same system for some 5 gal buckets and he used to grow more produce than they could eat. The next big thing he hit me with was how to trellis the tomato plants because they were getting 10-12' high and he refused to plant determinate varieties because he liked the ones he had used in the past but they never grew this well before so never had to trellis them that high. While figuring, figure out how to trellis cucumbers they grow great vertically I ended up dropping a couple 4x4's in then running 2x4 welded wire between them when the cucumbers got about 10' up I'd go over and turn them back down. They never got back down and have to turn them up again but I have had them do it in my hydroponic system. Also a system to stake up eggplant if you decide to plant any his would normally get 6-8' high.
Brian we did put dad's containers where they would get sun about 1/2 the day then shaded as the afternoon went on. The other thing you could consider is putting up some shade cloth to help lessen the suns effects some of the big box stores are starting to carry some I buy them elsewhere for my high tunnels and get 40-50% and that is not to much in the summer in north FL I'm just north of I-10