Growbags - does it really matter?

**Jamesy_uk** · 06-05-2011, 04:51 PM

Honestly, from what I have seen the only real differences are peat vs no peat and some grow bags come 'pre fed' possibly with chemicals you might be opposed to using. Personally I grab the cheap ones and add my own feed like last year with no issues.

As for standing the bags, your right you will only get 2 plants in them but it will allow for a deeper root system and more moisture to be held in so it's a trade off if you dont mind paying a bit extra for less work.

I am sure someone has some more sage and wise advice here but these are just my findings sofar

**Glutton4...** · 06-05-2011, 05:06 PM

I'm with Jamesy. Cheap ones, cut in half, stand on end. The compost can be used as a soil improver at the end of the season anyway, so the extra few bags don't exactly get wasted.

**Aberdeenplotter** · 06-05-2011, 05:08 PM

I buy the big uns and then use the compost in bucket sized pots.

**Bramble_killer** · 06-05-2011, 06:02 PM

I buy the cheapest ones possible, rip them up and mix it in with some feed and compost and then pot tomatoes in them. I do grow a stupid amount of tomatoes though

**pauco** · 06-05-2011, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by mrbadexample View Post

Hello all.

Before I go and part with my dosh, I thought I'd ask what you think of the various growbags that are available. I'm only looking at growing tomatoes in them.

Last year I bought the nice big, expensive Levingtons growbags. Was there any point? Would I have got just as good results with cheap ones?

Last year I used the growbags flat. This time I'm considering either cutting them in half and standing them on end, or using those things. You know, the green ones. Erm...grow pots, that's the ones.

Obviously, if I cut them in half I only get two per bag, so I'm have to buy more. But I can get a cheap grow bag for a quid or so. Is it worth paying the extra for one with nice red tomatoes printed all over it?

Thoughts?

Cheers,
MBE

Talking of Grow-Pot's, i am trying them this year 1st time. Easy to use better for watering tom's in growbags as it does not splash compost all over the place, + you can add compost to the plant as it grows. The outer ring holds 4 pints of water and is a slow release through hollow spikes in the base.
I have used 2 plants per bag instead of 3. End of season wash em out, and put away for following year.

paul.

**WendyC** · 06-05-2011, 07:07 PM

I've bought reuseable growbags so I can put whatever compost I like in them. I also use grow pots so can get a good depth of soil, and as previously mentioned are easier to water and feed. Last year I put the New Horizons Peat Free Multipurpose in them and got pretty good results with tomatoes. (Unlike the cucumbers in the greenhouse but that's another issue!) Also as my tomatoes are on the patio by the back door I got fed up of the garish patterns and colours they are made of and the reusable ones are green. Perhaps I'm just fussy.

**binley100** · 06-05-2011, 09:01 PM

I buy Lidls peatfree and organic growbags �1.19 each. Stab each end , fold in half and cut . Get hands in and loosen them up and reshape as a pot. You can stand four on a growbag tray �4.99 from the range so that they can be watered from the bottom.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 06-05-2011, 09:18 PM

Lets do it cheap.

Morrisons black buckets 8 for 99P drill hole in bottom for drainage, if you don't have a drill use a hot 6" nail or similar. Fill with compost of your choice and away we go.

My son has just bought 4 bags wickes compost 70ltrs I believe for �13-00p. you will fill at least 6 buckets from one bag.

Colin tight git

**mrbadexample** · 06-05-2011, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by Potstubsdustbins View Post

Lets do it cheap.

Morrisons black buckets 8 for 99P drill hole in bottom for drainage, if you don't have a drill use a hot 6" nail or similar. Fill with compost of your choice and away we go.

You can get more than 8 for 99p if you buy at the right time - I got 27 a few months ago for my 99p.

They're ready for the outside toms. The ones in the greenhouse will get growbags. Cheap ones though.

I suppose my next question should be: "What's the cheapest growbag you've seen?"

I can get them for �1.20, so binley has me beat.

**CaroltheCarrot** · 06-05-2011, 09:34 PM

Get the Jamie Oliver ones, �5.29 EACH but I do believe he comes round and plants them for you

**Potstubsdustbins** · 06-05-2011, 09:45 PM

Sorry I don't use grow bags at all just my own compost supplemented with the occassional bought in bag. The Sungold are in black buckets in the GH same as every year same with cumbers and sweet peppers amongst other things. I find them so much easier to look after.

Colin

**Sylvan** · 06-05-2011, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by Potstubsdustbins View Post

Lets do it cheap.

Morrisons black buckets 8 for 99P drill hole in bottom for drainage, if you don't have a drill use a hot 6" nail or similar. Fill with compost of your choice and away we go.

My son has just bought 4 bags wickes compost 70ltrs I believe for �13-00p. you will fill at least 6 buckets from one bag.

Colin tight git

We use the soldering iron now that we no longer have a hot poker.
If you want to go really over the top you can use growpots in the tops of the Morrisons buckets. They fit perfectly

**mrbadexample** · 06-05-2011, 10:46 PM

Originally posted by CaroltheCarrot View Post

Get the Jamie Oliver ones, �5.29 EACH but I do believe he comes round and plants them for you

He'd need to cook my dinner while he was here, for that price.

**VirginVegGrower** · 06-05-2011, 11:44 PM

B and Q 4 for a fiver - brilliant. Ring culture pots are great for toms and although initial outlay pricey - once you've got them, you've got them.

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Growbags - does it really matter?

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