Giant planters for vegetable garden - Ask Extension
I have some old fish tanks 4-6 feet in diameter that I am thinking about using for vegetable garden. Can you explain the drawbacks of this system? T...
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Giant planters for vegetable garden #877948
Asked July 19, 2024, 3:41 PM EDT
I have some old fish tanks 4-6 feet in diameter that I am thinking about using for vegetable garden. Can you explain the drawbacks of this system? To me these tanks are not the same as a raised bed garden. They would be on a concrete slab, so plant roots would only have the depth of the tanks which vary from 2-3 feet. Is this sufficient depth to keep roots cool enough? It seems they should have a drainage system or plant roots could rot.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
Yes, the planting container, whatever material it would be made out of, should have drainage on the bottom so excess water can leave the planter. Fish tanks that large might make fantastic terrarium containers or humidity chambers for miniature/small indoor plants or miniature orchids, but we don't think they would be suitable as-is for outdoor planters. Two to three feet should suffice as a depth for any vegetables, and there are farm-style metal troughs and modular options for similarly-sized raised bed designs.
Miri
Miri
