[knightquest]

Is there any reason why you can't grow runner beans and tomatoes in the same container?

I've just looked at the site highlighted by smallholder in the city and it mentioned connecting two pallets back to back with lining inside and growing in that as a container. My thought was to put two half pallets together and grow beans out of the top and trailing tomatoes out of slots in the side?

Any thoughts?

Ian

[manian]

Both are thirsty, like alot of nutrition and like a different type of soil, (although i tend not to worry too much about that). Runner beans have deep roots but if the pallets are big enough may be ok.
I grow both toms and runner beans in pots and had good crops, just need to remember to water and feed well

[knightquest]

Thank you.

Ian

[Hermit]

Two thing toms like are air and light, both the beans would take away even if you solved the water and fertility.

[Fleecewife]

Hi Ian.  Why do you need to grow in a container at all?  Containers big enough to grow beans in will hold an enormous amount of soil, which you will have to find somewhere.  Do you have bare ground which you can improve with manure and grow direct?  I have found it very difficult to provide enough water for containers, whereas growing directly in the ground is far less of a problem. Containers naturally restrict the area you can grow in, whereas you can give your plants the space they need more easily in the ground.
ps - sheep breeding groups all sorted now so Comfrey shouldn't be long

[knightquest]

Thanks for the input  and hello Juliet. Glad you got the sheep sorted and I await the comfrey with eager anticipation  The boys have started moulting again if you're interested.

We have only enough space for 5 four foot by eight foot beds with associated paths between them. Our neighbour has some big trees which block out a lot of light so my idea was to stand the pallets on end and grow the beans out of the top and the toms from between the slats on the side. The 'containers' could be put against our south facing fence and hopefully the beans would go up and the toms out - if you see what I mean  I have a boat load of soil to shift too as I have had to move/extend our dog run. Got bags of soil everywhere 

I may well give it a go because I'm on a huge learning curve at the moment regarding veg and nothing ventured, nothing gained eh? 

Ian

[Fleecewife]

Hi Ian - sounds like you're a man with a plan    so give it a go and report back on success or failure.  Another possibility for trailing tomatoes is to grow them in hanging baskets wherever you have space to hang them, or small tubs dotted around.  For container tomatoes, keep feeding them - comfrey liquid is fine, perhaps with some liquid seaweed too, or they run out of go early on. Also think of how to get water to the lower parts of the pallet beds - it's more difficult than you might think! 'Leaky pipe' wound around amongst the soil when you fill it might work, or someone else might have a brighter idea.   Good luck with it.
ps haven't got to the first lot of dog fur yet - soon hopefully

[knightquest]

Oh yes, I like the hanging basket idea for the toms Juliet. That's what I'll do. The other problem with growing beans from the top of a pallet is that the pallet is 3 feet high and the beans grow 6 feet high.............sure gonna need to be tall to harvest them 

Ian

[Fleecewife]

We will expect some photos of that 

[knightquest]

We will expect some photos of that 

 

[RUSTYME]

if you have loads of plastic bags full of soil , why not just put 3 canes in wigwam style and then 3 runner bean plants , or maybe french beans , so much nicer !! and shorter , and just use them as is ... pop a few holes in for drainage , and you can put them where you want . You can also put some spuds in a few bags if you have enough  !!!
 Once you have cropped whatever you grow in the bags , it is then an easy job to just empty the soil onto your existing beds .

cheers

Russ

[knightquest]

Russ, I like the cut of your jib(sp) Sir.

I always have to build things, that's my problem  I'll certainly give that a go. Thanks mate.

Ian

[RUSTYME]

lol... no probs mate ... just thought it would make life easier . Also, if you do put the used soil on your existing beds after harvest, make sure you keep in with any crop rotation of the beds , no pest buildup  then .
Old dustbins make good containers too . Wheelie bins even better if they still have the wheels on  !!! mobile veg gardens .
Your spare pallets could make compost bins or leaf mould bins if you wanted to make something  .   

cheers

Russ

[knightquest]

Got loads of pallets (2 sheds full  ) Trouble is, I've got no space to put anything that I build DOH!

I've got 'wood constipation'...................I can't pass a pallet.

Ian

[faith0504]

heck your in trouble if ya get a bout of woodworm