101 things that won't grow in containers

101 Uses For is popular and let's hope it stays that way. Our second book is presently called 101 tips for self sufficiency; we will certainly dip into this section for ideas. So post away and let's try and get at least one thread up to 101.
hamster
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101 things that won't grow in containers

Post: # 78821Post hamster »

Rather than resurrect the old container growing thread, I thought I'd start a new one on a slightly different tack. As I've probably moaned about before, our landlord has already paved over our garden, and I only have one bed that I can grow things in, so I want to make the most of it and use it for something that I can't grow in a container of some kind.

So, ideas please...

1) peas
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Post: # 78827Post mrsflibble »

2. carrots if it's too shallow a container
3. parsnips " " " " " "
oh how I love my tea, tea in the afternoon. I can't do without it, and I think I'll have another cup very
ve-he-he-he-heryyyyyyy soooooooooooon!!!!

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Re: 101 things that won't grow in containers

Post: # 78834Post ina »

hamster wrote: 1) peas
I have grown them in containers before!


Jerusalem artichokes?

Salsify?
Ina
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Post: # 78843Post snapdragon »

6. children
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Post: # 78847Post Shirley »

7 - sunflowers... although again... it really does depend on the size of your container.
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Post: # 78857Post Millymollymandy »

8. Oak tree (although you can start it off in one!) :lol:

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Post: # 78867Post Annpan »

Why can't you grow peas in one? :?

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Hamster , this might not sound like the prettiest of ideas but can you get a hold of a few old baths - then I reckon you could grow (almost) all the veg you would want...

My FIN was getting rid of one recently and we nearly took it just so as not to see it go to land fill. But we couldn't really justify it (sorry, but we have quite a big, garden, with very little patio) we thought it would make a great huge container.

Aha, only trouble is, you have to get compost/ topsoil to fill them all with :?
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Post: # 78868Post ina »

Shirlz wrote:7 - sunflowers... although again... it really does depend on the size of your container.
I've had a huge one a couple of years ago in a bucket...
Ina
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Post: # 78869Post ina »

Millymollymandy wrote:8. Oak tree (although you can start it off in one!) :lol:
Yep - I have an oak in a container! :mrgreen:
Ina
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hamster
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Post: # 78873Post hamster »

I thought you couldn't grow peas very well in containers cos their roots needed too much space. Maybe I'll try some after all.

I'm peering out of the window trying to work out where I could put a bath, Annpan! Also wondering if it would come under the clause in our contract about 'maintaining the character of the garden'!!! (Its current character being 'unproductive wasteland'.) And thinking about how much compost I would need to fill it...

I've got lots of old wine boxes and keep scavenging stuff opportunistically from charity shops.
They're not weeds - that's a habitat for wildlife, don't you know?

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Post: # 78886Post Annpan »

You could try any local tree-surgeon/arbiculturalist... we have accumulated a good few plant pots from one and he was also trying to get rid of HUGE pots (same size as the rubber tubs every where sells) He had recently done some planting for the council, and the big trees come in enormous plant pots, maybe your local council can point you in the right direction?

I don't imagine your landlord would be too happy with a bathtub, unless you could get one of those old fashioned tin ones :? It was just a thought :mrgreen:

The bigger the container the more things you can grow in it.
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Post: # 78988Post frozenthunderbolt »

8. pigs and other livestock baring escargot :mrgreen:
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Post: # 79031Post snapdragon »

ina wrote:
Millymollymandy wrote:8. Oak tree (although you can start it off in one!) :lol:
Yep - I have an oak in a container! :mrgreen:
Nod nod :lol: my oak tree has just recently been re-housed into a dear friend's garden after her first ten or so years in a garden (from which she needed rescue due to being too close to an old Elm) and her next fifteen (or more) in a pot in my back yard
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Post: # 79034Post hoomin_erra »

9. Illegal immigrants.

I know, VERY un-PC, and callous, but i couldn't resist.

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Post: # 79131Post ina »

:mrgreen: You can't grow legal immigrants in them either (at least I didn't grow in one). Or indigenous population (legal or otherwise)!
Ina
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