Galvanized Stock bins as garden planters - Ask Extension
I want to put in several metal bins for both vegetables and flowers. I ned to know:
1 If I drill drainage holes wet product to use to keep them fro...
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Galvanized Stock bins as garden planters #878988
Asked July 27, 2024, 9:54 AM EDT
I want to put in several metal bins for both vegetables and flowers. I ned to know:
1 If I drill drainage holes wet product to use to keep them from rusting.
2 Ive read you need to prop the bins. Is cinder blocker too high or unstable? How hugh is necessarry
3. There two school of though about adding filler to lighten the weight. Some say use filler from wood pipes to milk cartons or aluminum cans. Others say it can interfere with the roots.
4 Suggestions for simple irrigation system?
5 Does the extension service have videos on bin gardens?
Allen County Ohio
Expert Response
https://thistledownsfarm.com/stock-tank-raised-beds-diy/
Candace, the above websites provide some suggestions on how to convert a stock tank into a raised garden bed. To reduce rusting around the holes you drill for drainage, the cut edges may be painted with a Rustoleum-type of paint. The tank only needs to be kept off the ground in order to minimize contact with soil and the tendency for that contact to promote rust. The use of bricks or other masonry product should be satisfactory. The use of sticks and wood products have been used successfully. Consider researching "hugelkultur" to see how the use of sticks and logs is successfully being used, see https://www.epicgardening.com/hugelkultur-raised-bed/
The use of a soaker hose on top of your finished bin will provide water to the roots of the plants you have growing in it without getting water on the leaves of the plants which can lead to fungal infections. There are timer valves available to automatically turn the water on and off according to the schedule you select, see
https://www.thespruce.com/best-automatic-hose-timers-5271807?utm_source=googlepaid&utm_medium=con&utm_content=Cj0KCQjwtZK1BhDuARIsAAy2VzvFSGD0toQhoW3fi86-D-BnbRsNjckyzsftPzBBJCGYYNBLfREcIGYaAtfPEALw_wcB&utm_campaign=commerce-dd-AutomaticHoseTimers_TheSpruce_Combined_CommSEM_OrganicLP-5271807&utm_term=hose%20timer&utm_test=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtZK1BhDuARIsAAy2VzvFSGD0toQhoW3fi86-D-BnbRsNjckyzsftPzBBJCGYYNBLfREcIGYaAtfPEALw_wcB
I was not able to find any videos from OSU extension but I found several in addition to the one above on YouTube. I suggest you search for raised beds on Google and select videos. For your soil in the raised bed, it is suggested that you use a top soil blend from a local garden center rather than a high-clay soil from your existing garden. Best wishes on your new raised bed garden.
Thank you for all your research spe civic go my request
Candace Miller
It has been our pleasure to be of help.
Thank you for answering my questions.
I have learned a lot about what I wanted to know.
