Filling a Vegtrug

[joboo]

Firstly as a complete novice and new to the forum I would like to say hi to all reading this question. We live in a property with no area that we can grow our own veg but we are able to use containers and pots. I have read a lot about the Vegtrug and it looks like a good way of using the paved area we have to achieve our aims. My question is what soil or compost mix would be best to use . Sorry if this has already been covered or if it sounds like a very basic question to ask but I have a lot to learn

[Aberdeenplotter]

well, I'm a wee bit puzzled but it may just be a question of what you mean by a trug not matching what I understand a trug to be.

My understanding is that a trug is a shallow basket used for carrying flowers or vegetables.

From what you say, you seem to be of a mind to grow in a trug. Am I correct in that assumption?

[starloc]

Ive just done a search on them.....at that price I would be using pots or making a raised bed, a raised bed works on a paved area and is just a few planks

[joboo]

Good evening AberdeenPlotter, no the Vegtrug is basically a raised bed on legs, maybe taking its name from its shape. The one I have looked at was 1.8mt long and holds appx 410 ltrs of soil. We originally thought of using large pots but the raised unit sounds like a better option. Although they cost a premium they do seem the best option for our situation.

[AllInContainers]

I looked at one of those last year, and decided they were way too much money. For that price I got a heap of those fabric patio planters, and a load of multipurpose compost to chuck in 'em. I also scrounged spare pots off friends, bought cheap troughs and upright planters from B&M, and bought more compost from wherever had a good deal going. All in all I did fairly well for my first year, although not everything was a success. The stuff that worked, taught me and fed me, the stuff that failed just taught me Personally I don't think those things you are looking at are worth the money, and I'm glad I used the other stuff. They give me a lot more flexibility for shuffling stuff about.

We're all different though, so don't let my thoughts stop you if that's the route you'd prefer to go

[Aberdeenplotter]

Good evening AberdeenPlotter, no the Vegtrug is basically a raised bed on legs, maybe taking its name from its shape. The one I have looked at was 1.8mt long and holds appx 410 ltrs of soil. We originally thought of using large pots but the raised unit sounds like a better option. Although they cost a premium they do seem the best option for our situation.

Thanks for that clarification. My basic compost mix for container growing is equal quantities of general purpose compost and John Innes compost with vermiculite added to keep the compost open and also a scattering of slow release fertiliser.

There are more experienced container growers than me on this forum and I'm sure they will be equally as willing to share their recipes

[Aberdeenplotter]

oops ,meant to say, I make my growing containers out of pre used decking boards acquired from Freecycle/Freegle

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi Joboo and welcome to the mad house.

I have grown in containers for over 20 years and would not consider using one of those. First they are expensive for the area you get and second they would be wasteful on compost.

Unless you have a condition in which a raised growing area would be useful I would reconsider and then if you had basic DIY skills you could make something just as useful for a lot less.

Potty

[AllInContainers]

Ay yes, growing medium. I mostly used plain multipurpose compost last year, and it worked fine for most stuff. Some stuff benefits from a bit of topsoil or grit/sand mixed in, but so long as you get the watering, feeding and light requirements matched to the plant, MPC will grow a lot of what most people are looking for

[Bren In Pots]

Joboo have a read at this old thread on Vegtrugs :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ite_58521.html

[joboo]

Thanks guys for all your great advice, I think a bit of thought needs to be done into how we turn our concrete jungle into a bright veg patch. Thanks for the advise Aberdeenplotter on the soil, I will use which ever direction we go for . Will start seeding soon and keep one eye on you guys here

[Potstubsdustbins]

Be careful it could end up looking like this

Potty