Have you seen those tub gardens from William Sonoma? Doesn't this just look absolutely delicious?! Growing a SALAD in a TUB!
Nicole at My Garden Diaries posted about it a few weeks ago and I thought it looked like such a great idea I just had to try my hand at making one for myself. Of course, I couldn't spend the $145 WS wanted for their tub planter.
We had an old square tub that was already leaky. I thought it would work pretty well as my planter.
At one of our local plant outlets, I found these greens! They already needed to be cut back. I wanted to get them started in a nice home before harvesting. The plants I chose were 'Black Seeded Simpson' Lettuce, 'Gourmet Red Leaf' Lettuce, a variety of head lettuce, 'Roquette Salad' Arugula and a curly leaf variety of spinach.
Even though the tub had a few leaks in the bottom, I poked several more holes. Drainage is important because these plants
'don't like having their feet wet!'
Several of my gardening friends suggested filling part of my tub with some crushed plastic bottles and jugs to help with drainage. I could save on some soil and the tub wouldn't be as heavy when it needed to be moved. I've never done this before and was a bit skeptical about the effect these items might have on my produce so I'll call this an experiment. Results will follow...
After filling the bottom with my crushed items and then the potting soil,
I added the lettuce and spinach plants. Finally, I watered my tub well.
Lettuce and spinach are cool weather plants here in Missouri so we'll enjoy these garden greens for the next few months. I've never grown these plants in a container before. Usually, I just plant them in the garden in early spring and enjoy them until they wither in the humid summer heat. They are replanted in late summer to enjoy again in the fall. This will be a new experience. Since they will be portable, I may try to find a cooler spot for them to spend the heat of our summers.
I'm happy with how my "Salad Garden" turned out! I'm hoping for several deliciously fresh salads in the next few weeks!!
Are you trying some new plants or planting techniques this summer?
Linking to these great parties:
17 comments:
I have been wanting to do this too :-)
Holy cow!!! Your salad garden just rocks!!! How in the world did I miss this one friend!!! Beautiful job!!! And you are so sweet for the shout out! So very wonderful!!!! Nicole xoxo
Such a great idea for pretty container gardening! Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!
Alison
Nancherrow
Oh I love this idea! I think I may need to try this as well. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
those veggies look so happy - good idea to get them up off the ground to keep the slugs away! Would love to have you share your garden posts at Fishtail Cottage's garden party!!! Still time to link up! oxxo, tracie
so glad you decided to link up over here at Fishtail Cottage! Love your post! xoxo
I really want to do that! I love the way it looks! Great job!
Linda
mysewwhatblog
I never thought about doing this. Wonderful idea!
I have a few raised beds and tried container gardening last year..didn't do it right / all soil and too compacted. This year I am starting all over and trying again, using pinecones, sticks, peat moss etc in addition to the dirt. Hope it works this time around! :0 ) Yours looks so pretty! :)
Oh I love a salad garden and yours in the tub is fabulous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Sure does look pretty! I love planting lettuce and kind of a fun and creative way to plant it for a change. I've got my greens planting in my garden, but may make one that will keep me in salad for a few more months. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Love, love this. I am wanting my very own and have been thinking about it all day! I will feature it tomorow at Home Sweet Home.
Sherry
Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home
This is just crazy beautiful!
Thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend,
Suzanne
So smart!! and really nice looking. I'm going to try this with some of the old galvanized tubs I have around. My problem with growing greens in the garden is that they get so weedy, but with potting soil that shouldn't be as much a problem and will be easier to harvest. Thanks!
Katie @ Katie's Farm
http://katiesfarm.blogspot.com/
saw you featured on charm of home-i love this salad garden. i tried to buy some yesterday at lowe's but there weren't any-i think it's getting popular. i have tried the water bottle thing once, seems fine.
Looks delicious! Makes me want a salad right now!
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