I just decided to plant my basil, parsley, etc. in a half-barrel. When I looked at Debaggio's site, they recommend equal parts sphagnum peat and perlite for herbs in pots. Has anyone used this combination? It seems extremely light, but I'm not very experienced with mixing soils. I've just had bad luck with regular potting soil, even when I add perlite. Seems I either over- or under-water.
My other idea was to bury a clay pot (like an olla, if I can find one) filled with water in the center of the barrel and plant around it - to help keep things from drying out. We have lots of strong breezes here and it gets pretty hot in the summer and I can't tell you how many potted plants I've lost by missing watering by a day.
Comments and suggestions would be appreciated, everyone.
Kathleen
Herbs in a barrel...
I've no experience with that planting mixture however I have with the oak barrel halves. It will dry out quickly, similar to the clay pots. The barrel needs to be saturated well to begin with or it will wick moisture from the soil and you will have difficulty keeping it watered. Perhaps consider lining the sides of your barrel with a plastic to hold moisture.
BTW, if you locate a source for ollas, would you please let me know? I would love to use them here.
I am using Pro-Mix (peat-based) potting soil in clay pots, topped with a layer of gravel to retain moisture. I find clay pots work best for Mediterranean herbs that enjoy dry summers, such as Rosemary. Plants that prefer moist soil, such as Mint, seem to do better in plastic pots.
Podster, I know High Country Gardens sell the ollas, but they are pricey everywhere it seems. I'm going to check some of the pottery yards around us to see if I can find something, since shipping is expensive and subject to breakage.
Here are a couple of other sources I found:
http://www.peddlerswagon.com/c-43-irrigation.aspx
http://www.enewsbuilder.net/watercon/e_article000533719.cfm?x=bbrDcbK,b2FRwTrq,w
The second source is about gluing two pots together to make your own.
Lots of variety here and it's a community program:
http://www.eastcentralministries.org/content.asp?CustComKey=336396&CategoryKey=341837&pn=Products4&DomName=eastcentralministries.org
June, I've been meaning to look at the Pro-Mix. I might try Podster's idea of plastic on the edges of the barrel.
Thanks,
Kathleen