Back to gardening! Styrotoam containers - OK?

dhhatfield52 4/23/2011, 7:48 am

Rainy season is starting in southern Togo and we're getting the garden going again. Various greens are up (swiss chard, turnip greens, collards), eggplant, jalapenos, basil, Indian mustard greens, and tomatoes planted that were started in little peat pots. I've tried zucchini before and it went all over the SFG - then the bugs got it.
Has anyone out there tried zucchini or other squash in styrofoam containers? A friend found 2 big ones around here, and to recycle -- I'd like to try planting in them. I thought that was I can keep them in a separate area where they can grow all they want. And I can - hopefully! - control the bugs. hmmm.....
Any advice?

**camprn** 4/23/2011, 7:58 am

HI DH, Welcome back to the forum. I think this is a great question!!! Well I have no practical experience with this but I did a search and several links from Australia popped up. Here is a good informational article.
~~~> Planting in polystyrene boxes
Let us know how this goes for you! Cheers!! Very Happy

sceleste54 4/23/2011, 9:51 pm

I'm glad you posted this link Camprn. I work for a Dr office and we have injectables shipped in these styrofoam containers every week. I really hate to see them wasted and the dumpster is always full of them! There is one common size that I think holds about 1.5 cubic feet of mix. My only concern was the safety of using the styrofoam long term..

Old Hippie 4/24/2011, 9:21 am

It is worth a try. I would try it. I hate seeing things thrown out that could work for planting stuff in. I see old sinks, tubs, toilets, barrels, etc and I think "planting containers".

Some plants just need their own space to grow so they don't take over the entire place. Go for it and post some pics later so we can see how they turn out. bounce

Gwynn

Goosegirl 4/24/2011, 10:09 am

Old Hippie wrote:It is worth a try. I would try it. I hate seeing things thrown out that could work for planting stuff in. I see old sinks, tubs, toilets, barrels, etc and I think "planting containers".Gwynn

It's a "You know you're an SFG'er when..."

I thought the same thing when I was on my morning walk and saw a refrigerator laying in the ditch. Amazing how I had completely missed the sofa laying in the ditch on the other side of the road - my eyes zeroed in on the possible 'box'!

TC

Old Hippie 4/24/2011, 10:32 am

LOL! Well when you look at the price of planters.......Good grief! And wood too. I am on the lookout right now for containers I can sink in the ground to put raspberries in or other things that try to take over the world if you give them even half a chance. I also want to try blackberries and that is the ONLY way I will plant them.

Gwynn

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Back to gardening! Styrotoam containers - OK?

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Re: Back to gardening! Styrotoam containers - OK?

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Re: Back to gardening! Styrotoam containers - OK?


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