Gardening in ldpe tubs???

[robbor]

I need some more area for plants. I already have some of these tubs made of ldpe. I’m wondering if it’s ok to grow in them of if there is a safe liner to use. I was going to Al’s use a good 2” base on the bottom of perlite for extra drainage

 

[robbor]

Ps it’s for strawberries up high so I don’t have to bend

 

[cpp gardener]

Should be fine as far as suitability goes. Skip the layer of perlite; it will cause poor drainage rather than improve it. Water won't move from one texture layer to another, coarser or finer, until it is saturated above the interface.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Considered one of the safest plastics at normal temps. Only provisio is that it degrades in sunlight over time (UV I think), don't know if it would take paint?

 

[Meadowlark]

I would use rotted wood and compost for the bottom layer and go "Hügelkultur" style. I use large cattle feeder tubs in that manner with great success especially on certain veggies. The bonus is the natural materials make the tub much lighter and provides nutrients to the soil for years.

If interested check out this old thread in which proof of concept as well as performance of various veggies is provided...but you do have to wade through several irrelevant posts to get to the good stuff.

https://www.gardening-forums.com/threads/an-experiment-in-hugelkulture-in-containers.24560/

 

[GFTL]

I find that a lot of people worry too much about what plastic they grow in. Unless you're shooting for organic I don't see a problem with the container. If it's not self watering, just make sure there are plenty of drainage holes. I use wood chips on the bottom to help avoid an aerobic situation.

 

[MiTmite9]

Ps it’s for strawberries up high so I don’t have to bend

In our garden, we're doing our damnedest to avoid adding more plastic containers. There's enough plastic in our systems already, according to many studies. Men have been found to have microplastics in their testes.

The containers you'd like to use are LDPE? Supposedly, LDPE is safe.

Which Plastics Are Safe For Gardening?

One of the more common questions I'm asked on the blog is about plastic use, specifically, "What plastics are safe for use in the garden?" Since

www.epicgardening.com

I need some more area for plants. I already have some of these tubs made of ldpe. I’m wondering if it’s ok to grow in them of if there is a safe liner to use. I was going to Al’s use a good 2” base on the bottom of perlite for extra drainage

 

[GFTL]

In our garden, we're doing our damnedest to avoid adding more plastic containers. There's enough plastic in our systems already, according to many studies. Men have been found to have microplastics in their testes.

The containers you'd like to use are LDPE? Supposedly, LDPE is safe.

Which Plastics Are Safe For Gardening?

One of the more common questions I'm asked on the blog is about plastic use, specifically, "What plastics are safe for use in the garden?" Since

www.epicgardening.com

True but if you already have the plastic you might as well use it.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

True but if you already have the plastic you might as well use it.

Indeed, huge amounts of plastic that could be recycled get chucked away, there are remote beaches knee deep in it.

 

[oneeye]

"Hügelkultur" style has to have a nitrogen source to work or it won't break down the wood. I use a 40 lbs of bagged poultry mix spread over the wood before I covered it up. The mound was above the ground for a year or two before settling to ground level. IF there is no nitrogen added the wood will not decompose for many years. Also if theres no added nitrogen the plants grown above the Hugelkultur will experence a nitrogen deficiency.

 

[dirty hands]

Oneeye? Would adding coffee grounds help with nitrogen depletion?
Should the grounds be composted first if used?

 

[Meadowlark]

"Hügelkultur" style has to have a nitrogen source to work or it won't break down the wood.

Agree. I've set up about 25 Hügelkultur containers over the last 3-4 years and never had one problem with lack of nitrogen per soil tests and plant growth. I grow figs, all varieties of veggies, pomegranates, and blueberries in them.

One of the keys is using old rotting wood and another is applying a layer of composted animal manure.

Thus far in that time I haven't had to rebuild a single one, haven't used any synthetics or "cides", and replenish the soil in them using my regular gardening techniques. Really a useful tool in the garden.

 

[GFTL]

I've found alfalfa pellets are a great nitrogen source. I mix them with dried leaves in my compost and it heats up like no other compost I've made.