Roots

Good morning all..brand new here and new to growing vegetables.I started growing in the ground and didn't realize there is so much to learn.Got powdery mildew on my zucchinis and squash.Insects had a buffet and my tendency to over-under water didn't help.After my initial disaster,I got the bright idea to plant in five gallon buckets.I built some self watering buckets as to not over water.My concern now is the root system is growing through the drain-air holes.Has anyone ever seen this and do I have cause for concern?These are heat master tomato roots by the way.This is thirty days growth from a six to eight inch seedling.I didn't add any fertilizer to the soil as I want to try to stay organic.I will spray the foliage with fish fertilizer..
Thanks..James

Welcome, Jamesthumb!

Nice eBuckets you make there.

Are both your buckets 5-gallon? Not sure why you're getting so much growth through the drain holes. as long as there is an airspace between the roots and the reservoir in the bottom bucket, you should be fine. That space will allow the plant to receive some oxygen and not be totally submerged into the reservoir, so check the placement of your overflow hole...

Here's another eBucket design that has been quite successful -- you can double your gardening real estate, because this model only uses one bucket, and still has a reservoir!

LMK how that plant turns out.

http://allthingsplants.com/thread/view/3230/Make-an-eBucket/?offset=0

Here're some pics of veggies I have grown in eBuckets.

Hugs

Linda

This message was edited Aug 8, 2014 9:42 AM

A few more...

Last set...you can make a strawberry eBucket, too!

My tallest eBuckets are made from 6.5 gallon buckets I got from a pool guy. They're used to hold the Chlorine Tablets (basically, bleach).

To date, I've not experienced any adverse affects to the veggies grown in these buckets, so I'm pretty confident they're safe to use.

Hugs!

This message was edited Aug 8, 2014 10:02 AM

Thanks for the quick response Gymgirl.I have 2 buckets in one and allowed space for air.At any given time some roots are sitting in water.Like I said I'm brand new and learning as I go.Your single bucket design looks interesting.My first three sets I bought at home depot.I have a painter that gave me a few and I'm waiting on my collard seedlings to sturdy up some.Never knew this could be so much fun...Will keep you posted on the outcome...
James

James,

Glad you're enjoying growing your own veggies!

Now, go find yourself a hamburger joint or a bakery nearby -- get pickle buckets or icing buckets for free -- save the money for the potting mix.

If you go with the one-bucket design, buy colanders at the $1 store, or Dollar Tree...