Using a Small Wading Pool for a Garden?

[OldGuy43]

The only thing I could find on TEG was this:

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=31779

I have two pools. Any ideas would be appreciated. I have some onion and garlic sets left from last year and some Dwarf Blue Scotch Kale seeds at the moment.

:tools

 

[lesa]

A container is a container, OG. I would say as long as you make some holes for drainage you should be fine with it. I wouldn't try carrots or potatoes (since the depth of the soil is limited) but the things you mentioned should be fine! Happy Pool Gardening!

 

[Dave2000]

That can work, but I'd put holes in the bottom so there's no excess water buildup. What you linked is one approach but around here it would result in way too many mosquitoes unless the top were covered so they can't get to the standing water to lay their eggs.

 

[OldGuy43]

A container is a container, OG. I would say as long as you make some holes for drainage you should be fine with it. I wouldn't try carrots or potatoes (since the depth of the soil is limited) but the things you mentioned should be fine! Happy Pool Gardening!

That can work, but I'd put holes in the bottom so there's no excess water buildup. What you linked is one approach but around here it would result in way too many mosquitoes unless the top were covered so they can't get to the standing water to lay their eggs.

Thanks! I hadn't thought about mosquitoes or drainage. Guess I'll give it a try.

 

[desertlady]

pool gardening is great, but have to warn you that the plastic pool wont last long, they will crack or break to pieces.

 

[ducks4you]

You might try partially burying it after you drill the holes, and before you fill it in with dirt and plants, so it only has to take the pressure of the dirt against it, instead of the inevitable garden hose, etc. abuse it will get.

 

[Teka]

Okay, this sounds really hillbilly (no offense to hillbillies, but that's what my son called it when he saw it.....) , but I turned an old car roof carrier into melon beds. With the first one, I made the mistake of drilling holes in the bottom. This year I caulked those holes and drilled into the side, about 3" up from the bottom, so it holds the water to a certain level. I put a layer of old straw on the bottom of each and then filled with a mixture of leaves and compost.

The one bed did well last year, although watering was an issue due to the holes in the bottom. This year, I added the top as a second bed and fixed the holes in the first one and they are both doing a great job. I have spaghetti squash and Connecticut pumkins in one, crenshaw melons in the other. One benefit of using these "beds" is that you can move them -- I nudged the first one out into better sun with the tractor...

I also have my horseradish now in a PVC fish container -- the bins used to store fish on ice in ships. It washed up on shore here and I saved it. It is about 2' by 3' and 24" high, very durable and has holes in the bottom. I do not expect my horsradish to escape the container, to invade in the way they did in their last bed home.

I also use large plastic pots (two, three and five gallon) for growing. I have carrots in a few, parsnips, and have also have grown potatoes in them in the past (extra cuttings that wouldn't fit in my other beds). I usually use these special planters for plants that need special soil conditions or invasives. So, for example, the carrots needed that deep, loose soil -- so I use deep pots to provide the depth I don't have in my beds.

I get the Gardener's Supply catalog (and love the company -- their service is great, if you ever have any sort of problem) and noted their extensive selection of container growing, and have taken that into consideration -- when I see a catalog, I always think "how can I do that with resources I have already?"

I have even tried "cube" mesh folding storage containers from the Dollar Tree -- the kind of organizer they sell to get your closet in order, ones that fold open to make a 12x12x12 storage cube-- as a planter, as I had a couple that weren't serving any other purpose. They did their job well for one season, but disintegrated after one season.

So, go container!!!!

 

[Teka]

Okay, this sounds really hillbilly (no offense to hillbillies, but that's what my son called it when he saw it.....) , but I turned an old car roof carrier into melon beds. With the first one, I made the mistake of drilling holes in the bottom. This year I caulked those holes and drilled into the side, about 3" up from the bottom, so it holds the water to a certain level. I put a layer of old straw on the bottom of each and then filled with a mixture of leaves and compost.

The one bed did well last year, although watering was an issue due to the holes in the bottom. This year, I added the top as a second bed and fixed the holes in the first one and they are both doing a great job. I have spaghetti squash and Connecticut pumkins in one, crenshaw melons in the other. One benefit of using these "beds" is that you can move them -- I nudged the first one out into better sun with the tractor...

I also have my horseradish now in a PVC fish container -- the bins used to store fish on ice in ships. It washed up on shore here and I saved it. It is about 2' by 3' and 24" high, very durable and has holes in the bottom. I do not expect my horsradish to escape the container, to invade in the way they did in their last bed home.

I also use large plastic pots (two, three and five gallon) for growing. I have carrots in a few, parsnips, and have also have grown potatoes in them in the past (extra cuttings that wouldn't fit in my other beds). I usually use these special planters for plants that need special soil conditions or invasives. So, for example, the carrots needed that deep, loose soil -- so I use deep pots to provide the depth I don't have in my beds.

I get the Gardener's Supply catalog (and love the company -- their service is great, if you ever have any sort of problem) and noted their extensive selection of container growing, and have taken that into consideration -- when I see a catalog, I always think "how can I do that with resources I have already?"

I have even tried "cube" mesh folding storage containers from the Dollar Tree -- the kind of organizer they sell to get your closet in order, ones that fold open to make a 12x12x12 storage cube-- as a planter, as I had a couple that weren't serving any other purpose. They did their job well for one season, but disintegrated after one season.

So, go container!!! Be creative.

 

[OldGuy43]

Okay, this sounds really hillbilly (no offense to hillbillies, but that's what my son called it when he saw it.....) , but I turned an old car roof carrier into melon beds. With the first one, I made the mistake of drilling holes in the bottom. This year I caulked those holes and drilled into the side, about 3" up from the bottom, so it holds the water to a certain level. I put a layer of old straw on the bottom of each and then filled with a mixture of leaves and compost.

Thanks Teka. I was considering putting the holes above the bottom to control the water table.

 

[Huey M. Ryan]

Well as other said the above ground pools are not bad for plants but have to make some holes in bottom to drain the extra water.