Muddy_boots' Blog
POUCHES
Posted on 29 Jun, 2008 16 comments
Been meaning to put this up for some time, but problems seemed to persist, whereby I didn’t.
Anyway, I put theses pouches up on one of my fences a couple of years ago. They give a good display and cover up a west facing fence, so, they get a good bit of sun and flourish well, depending on what you plant in them. The pouches came from Thompson & Morgan, but there are other sources available.
They can be a bit messy and awkward to set up, so thought I’d pass on how I do them, just in case anyone else wants to do some, or has any other tips.
First, I fill then with potting compost, mixing in some slow release fertiliser and water gel crystals, and tamp the compost down. When filled, I fold the top down, which should close them up,
and then seal the top to the main pouch with tent pegs (obtainable from your neighbourhood outdoor centre for about £1.50) and leave them lieing flat for a few days and keep them damp, but NOT soaking!
After a few days settling down, this is the time to start planting. I have used Bizzy Lizzies – mixed colours. Then leave them for about 3-4 days to get rooted and leave the tent pegs in.
Now is the time to cross your fingers and hope that the net step works out OK, because the pouches will now go into an upright position. Now, you can either plany in a top plant from the bench,
or hang up where the pouch is going and then plant up.
Depnds upon how high they are to be hung. I hang them up and then plant. I have Trailing Lobelias in some and Varigated Miniature Ivy in others.
These pouches are like Hanging Baskets and need a lot of watering. I tend to water them a little at a time, because the water tends to drain out of the plant holes where the BLs are,
especially if they are dry. I have a small watering can and water two pouches per fill up. I know it means several trips to the water but, but I really do need the exercise!.
I have several tips and things that I have intended to put up here, but never got around to it, like spreading the contents of your
vacuum cleaner around your tomato plants. A good mulch and there’s nutrients in there as well as muck!
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Comments
29 Jun, 2008
<Perhaps Peter/Ajay could consider setting up a "top tips" page?>
Sounds like a good idea, Mike. Maybe they will. I know I thrive on tips.
All that watering keeps me active. Just wish there was more in my water tub at the moment, though
29 Jun, 2008
You can have some of mine-its full!
29 Jun, 2008
Just think I need more, M8. All these containers and tubs need so much. It seems to me, that the rain always seems to fall in the opposite direction, so that all my south facing plants are sheltered!
29 Jun, 2008
same here ken, been raining everyday and yet i still have to water the containers
29 Jun, 2008
Looks a great way to get more from your space, Muddy - which I could certainly do with :o)
Top tips page - another one on the todo list :o) I know that Spritz requested it a while ago too. Top tips together with photos and blogs of the results maybe :o)
29 Jun, 2008
Great idea always forgetting to do things at right time- any chance these could be calender related ? ie now is the time for , would really appreciate this with veg growing .
29 Jun, 2008
Good idea Bonkersbon, i had some of them pouches, last year from thompson & morgan unlike you muddyboots i lost patience with them, but look well when done.
29 Jun, 2008
I love these hanging pouches , been using them for a few years now, some of my neighbours have them as well , Asda also sell them . I find Marigolds do really well in them .
29 Jun, 2008
They certainly look effective. Well done, Ken. Interesting seeing how it's done! Glad someone else would like a 'tips' page, by the way!
29 Jun, 2008
I have tried this - and tried it again - without achieving my desired floral cascade - with no plastic showing! So much effort - to create, and maintain. But I still try! Thanx for the tips!
30 Jun, 2008
I agree - it would be good to have a "tips page"
Thanks Ken for the tips on how to use these bags. I've been thinking for some time about having them in my garden, but I haven't because I was rather unsure of how to deal with them. I'd like to try next year now.
30 Jun, 2008
I know what you mean about the watering being good excercise, Ken. My veggy patch is the oposite end of the garden to the tap - so I have to carry 2 2-gallon watering cans at a time (so at least I'm 'even'!). But it's really good excercise and much cheaping than gym membership!! I've got water butts near the patch, but as you say, they empty out so quickly when you're watering every day......
30 Jun, 2008
What .nutrients are there in dust please before my husband want's to know what the hell am I doing to his tomatoes.
30 Jun, 2008
Yuk! This tip must fill organic gardeners with sheer horror!
What happens with the muck? Now, my eyes and nose are red and runny just reading this but, please, tell us more!
1 Jul, 2008
Hiya , just to let you know ive added a photo of my hanging bags for you to see x
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Recent posts by Muddy_Boots
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Joined 19 Jul, 2007
lancs
29 Jun, 2008
Nice work Muddy boots. Not sure if I could be bothered with all that watering though. Perhaps Peter/Ajay could consider setting up a "top tips" page?