rusty old cast iron bath

red · Post: # 66920Post **red** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 1:53 pm

we have one lurking amongst the sheds.. is an old plunger design.. got quite excited as the revamped ones go for 2.5K!!! - thought could flog it and do something useful with the money... but just had it confirmed that it is beyond resurrecting.
So - I was thinking drill some holes.. big planter....

what would like to grow in a big deep rusty iron bath? I was thinking.. aparagus....

any suggestions?

ohareward · Mon Jul 30, 2007 11:52 pm

Hi Red. You could set it up on blocks and light a fire underneath and use it as a spa. We do that a lot here. As long as it is screened off from the vulgar gaze of the scoffing multitudes.
I have one set up to plant into. Not sure yet. It will be fruit of some kind. Lime, feijoas, etc. Could plant something that will drape over the side.
Yes, I think asparagus would be ok for you, or rhubarb.

Robin

Willow · Post: # 66975Post **Willow** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:44 am

Worms maybe?

possum · Post: # 66976Post **possum** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:48 am

trough for livestock if you have any?

kimmysmum · Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:34 am

I'm with you Willow. They make great worm farms.

the.fee.fairy · Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:03 pm

Pond...pond...
the lady next door to me has always had a cast iron pond, and it is very lovely!! she gets loads of frogs in it, and it grows reeds too.

I think Nev was talking about growing water chestnuts at some point too, but i can't remember how much space they need.

red · Post: # 67070Post **red** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:02 pm

oooo good suggestions.

I really fancy the spa idea but the bath is nothing I would want to sit in in its current state

wormery is good
already have a pond - and the water was always rusty when it was upright
it clearly was a water trough for horses before we came here.. but its too tall for sheep - we dont have anything taller!

hmmm

ina · Post: # 67073Post **ina** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:20 pm

red wrote:but its too tall for sheep - we dont have anything taller!

I would disagree there. It's better a bit on the tall side for sheep - you can always give them a stepping stone or two - than a low trough: you'll find out why at lambing time... Lambs are determined to get themselves into water containers to drown!

red · Post: # 67080Post **red** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:48 pm

hmmm prpas I will have to rethink that then.. but it is very tall.

will the rusty water be bad for them? twas orange when it was full...

Magpie · Post: # 67112Post **Magpie** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:32 pm

Might be good for growing something rampant, like raspberries or blackberries, so they don't take over the garden.

Meredith · Post: # 67113Post **Meredith** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:40 pm

My polytunnel is full of old baths, it could have somethig to do with being in the plumbing trade

I fill them with compost and grow whatever in them. If you don't need such deep soil put some filler underneath such as polystyrene packaging or bricks.

In the garden, I'd suggest growing the more rampant stuff as has been suggested, I've got one full of mint.

possum · Post: # 67115Post **possum** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:57 pm

if you think the trough is too high, then dig a bit of a hole for it - problem solved.
If you don't want to sit in it, in its current condition a coat of hammerite should sort that out.

kimmysmum · Post: # 67154Post **kimmysmum** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:57 am

How about lots of lovely lushes strwberries YUM YUM