Making an above ground planter is a great way to grow plants in places that have bad soil or a great way to start plants before moving them to the garden. There are of course many ways to build them and this is just one of the ways that I have done it. If you have interesting ways to build one feel free to email me at tastybleach@airmail.cc
-
What you will need is:
- -Small metal cattle trough
- -2 bags top soil
- -2bags compost
- -1bag gravel (or at least enough to cover the bottom)
- -Enough sticks and small logs to cover the gravel
- -Enough of your local dirt that when mixed with the compost and top soil it fills the trough to within an inch of the top lip
- -Drill and a bit that will make it through the trough
Place the trough on level ground where it can get lots of sun then cover the bottom in gravel and cover the gravel with a layer of sticks. Next we want to drill drain holes in the trough just above where the sticks sit, this is so that it will retain water to keep the dirt moist but not too much. Next we are going to fill the rest with our dirt, depending on how big your trough is you may need more or less of the top soil and compost but you want at least 50% local dirt. This is to help select for plants that will grow better in your local area. You may be growing transplants or you may find that you need to plant more than you thought so you have to use your yard. It also cuts down on cost! Now plant your potatos or sunchokes or whatever it is that you plan to plant.
