Growing in Builder's bags

[veggiechicken]

Can anyone tell me how long these bags would last if filled with soil and planted with veggies please?
Also what are the advantages or disadvantages to using them.
Why am I asking? It has been suggested that we (the village) put these bags out for others to use, since there are no allotments here. Personally, I think they'll look awful unless they are put within some sort of framework to screen the bags. Also that they will disintegrate within a couple of years. Any views?

[redser]

I have 2 that I've used for various things over the years and they really are as tough as nails. Can't say how long they will last but it certainly would be a good few years and wont rot easily. Mine are still as strong as the day I got them. Current use is for storing excess manure I got delivered. The bags dont hold their shape but sag. So like you say they would need some support if filled with soil. I'm sure they would be great for growing in, although would probably hold more soil depth than veg would need and be a bit wasteful. So functional yes but if asthetics is important, well you know ...

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Redser. The plan would be to turn down the sides to a suitable height so as not to overfill. Asking around, I'm told that they disintegrate in the sunlight (yes, I know what you're thinking!). The landowner is happy for them to go on his land, as long as we don't plant into the ground. These, in theory, are removable but if they're going to fall apart in a year or two they'll dump the contents onto his land and he may not be too happy.
You may have guessed that I'm not in favour of this plan and am trying to be persuaded otherwise.

[chris]

Why doesn't the landowner want you to plant in the ground?

[veggiechicken]

Its a building site, full of rubble, and will be developed when the time is right! Pretty grotty land really.
He already lets us site 2 sheds (No Not that one) there and hold a Saturday morning market - but its all on the understanding that we'll clear off when he says so.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Sorry to tell you this VC but if you mean the 1 tonne bags they won't fall to bits Sorrieeeeeeeeeeee.


Potty.

[veggiechicken]

Not even a teeny weeny bit, Potty?? Pleeeeeeeeeeese say YES

[shona_b]

They could look nice if you built a wooden box frame for them (not you personnally of course!). We couldn't plant in our front garden due to the lack of soil and built a raised bed complex out of scaffolding planks topped with a decking width top. So now I have raised beds and seating all in one ! Might be worth thinking about if they do want to go ahead with the scheme - surely its got to be better than looking at wasteland?

[veggiechicken]

Thanks shona. It might look better than wasteland, but there will still be lots of waste land there as we can't cover all of it. The area is always being criticised as looking scruffy and I don't see how some builders bags, even with a surrounding frame, is going to improve it much. If we go ahead and its a disaster, the charity that I'm part of, will get the blame, and while I'm used to that, my heart really isn't in this scheme. I'm not usually so negative but this idea is getting me down

[dominic10]

When we had our new allotment in April I really wanted to plant something while we cleared the plot. We acquired two builders bags and they are happily growing carrots and parsnips. We had to get rid of piles of compost heaps on our 5 rod half plot and this helped - I've been harvesting carrots for weeks. We folded the sides down and they don't look too bad but one of our neighbours seemed astonished to say the least and wondered what on earth we were doing. I did get the idea from the Grapevine! and I think I have avoided the dreaded carrot fly. I think once the bags were full of veg you wouldn't worry too much what they look like.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks dominic. I'm just recovering from chairing the committee meeting - it got a bit confrontational and I'm glad its over. The Builder's bag project is going ahead but I voted against it for various reasons that have no relevance to the life or appearance of the bags! I hate committees

[susieq100]

One or two plot holders use them on my allotment site. They are very hard-wearing. They aren't particularly pretty, but when full of veg do look OK. They are excellent for root crops - I grow carrots in mine.

[zazen999]

This is as good as it could look - and that's with matching bags!


I use them for retaining walls on sloping areas, or if we really haven't got space. But apart from that - I prefer flat pallets and filling them with soil and planting in them

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Zaz. Was that a temporary display? What's the source of the photo as I'd like to find out a bit more about how these bags are used - whether they're raised up on pallets or sat on the ground.

EDIT Found the link to the photo http://thesearchforthegoodlife.wordp...ity-of-london/

[shona_b]

So now you have to work to make them look nice How about suggesting the crops are ringed by some nasturtiums so they trail down and provide a nice colour coverage for the sacks? and of course attract the blackfly away from the plants. Or make sure there are trailing squash seeds included in the planting. Maybe you could get local children to paint murals on the sides???