Just what I need -- a recipe for the success of any venture or activity. Today, it is the turn of two potted shrubs being re-planted in half wine barrels.
As per usual, I was rather skeptical about the origin of the barrels. Surely the number of spent wine barrels available to be sawn in half for all those avid gardeners worldwide is rather low. Surely there must be a string of sweat-shops someplace where exploited people are forced to work 22 hours a day, assembling wine half-barrels, to satisfy the whims of the elite of the world, and to satisfy the profit and bottom lines of their dubious employers? Or maybe so much wine is being consumed that there really is a glut of this commodity and barrels are genuinely authentic. Added to that, I ask myself, who cares?
The barrels, which I estimate to be in the region of 80-litre volume each, with a top edge diameter of 720mm and a height of 410mm above the floor, arrived bright and early. First steps were to prepare the vessels for the future life as planters - their wine-soaked days had become a distant memory of their past in far-off France.
But I digress. Back to the recipe.
Recipe
2 used half barrels cut neatly as per specification;
2 potted plants to taste;
4 bucketsful of garden soil and decaying leaves mixture;
2 bucketsful of river rocks average 50-60mm;
4 bucketsful pebble-free (10mm sifted) garden soil;
4 bucketsful organic chip compost;
1 bucketful dry peat moss;
1 electric drill and large-bore bit;
1 garden shovel and gloves (optional).
1 wheel barrow.
Method
1. Drill 7 drainage holes in the base of the barrel. I did them at 2,4,6,8,10,12 and dead-centre. I brushed up all the shavings, lest the dogs consume them. (A real possibility, as I smelled the little pile -- yep, distinctly red wine... a cabernet, I would guess... )
2. Cover the base of the barrel with a layer of 50-60mm river pebbles.I understand this assists drainage,somehow.
3. Cover the pebble layer with a layer of garden soil, mixed with a quantity of rotting leaves.
4. Prepare the growing medium by blending sifted garden soil, organic chip compost, and powdered peat moss in the ratio 4:4:1 I used a large sheet of plywood as mixing base. The homogeneous mix filled the wheel-barrow, more or less, and was sufficient for one barrel.
But I digress. Back to the recipe.
Recipe
2 used half barrels cut neatly as per specification;
2 potted plants to taste;
4 bucketsful of garden soil and decaying leaves mixture;
2 bucketsful of river rocks average 50-60mm;
4 bucketsful pebble-free (10mm sifted) garden soil;
4 bucketsful organic chip compost;
1 bucketful dry peat moss;
1 electric drill and large-bore bit;
1 garden shovel and gloves (optional).
1 wheel barrow.
Method
1. Drill 7 drainage holes in the base of the barrel. I did them at 2,4,6,8,10,12 and dead-centre. I brushed up all the shavings, lest the dogs consume them. (A real possibility, as I smelled the little pile -- yep, distinctly red wine... a cabernet, I would guess... )
2. Cover the base of the barrel with a layer of 50-60mm river pebbles.I understand this assists drainage,somehow.
3. Cover the pebble layer with a layer of garden soil, mixed with a quantity of rotting leaves.
4. Prepare the growing medium by blending sifted garden soil, organic chip compost, and powdered peat moss in the ratio 4:4:1 I used a large sheet of plywood as mixing base. The homogeneous mix filled the wheel-barrow, more or less, and was sufficient for one barrel.
With the final growing mix filled into the barrel and the plant positioned at the centre, the installation is ready for a protective layer of bark chip mulch.
