Great container growing article
 

I don't grow much in containers as I tend to kill the stuff in them, but that is another story. Check out this article. Great story and technique.

[URL]http://www.core77.com/blog/architecture/an_empty_lot_becomes_a_riverpark_farm_in_nyc_20795.asp[/URL]

Well worth reading. I questioned how to water them, then I realized that there are places where it does rain. :roll:

They stated that lights were run underneath and used for illumination, which is another really cool idea btw, but if they did that they could also have run drip irrigation underneath as well, routing through the hole in the crates and soil making them practically invisible.

What a fantastic garden! I love how the "pots" can be quickly and easily moved. Just think, if you had a plant that was going kaput or needed to be isolated for any reason you could just take it out of the row and swap in a new one.

The comments in the first article referred to this garden in Germany, also made with milk crates. Check the About Us link for more details. A great way to avoid contaminated soils in urban reclamation sites.

[URL]http://prinzessinnengarten.net/page/1[/URL]

Thanks for that article. I do have a few milk crates around and will be planting them next season. Such a good idea.
Sue B.

[QUOTE=akgardengirl;239074]Thanks for that article. I do have a few milk crates around and will be planting them next season. Such a good idea.
Sue B.[/QUOTE]
I am very curious what you plan to use for the liner? If you use the landscape fabric they used in New York, are you planning to sew it ? I'm trying to think of a liner that you wouldn't have to sew.
Mike

[QUOTE=Mike Maurer;239448]I am very curious what you plan to use for the liner? If you use the landscape fabric they used in New York, are you planning to sew it ? I'm trying to think of a liner that you wouldn't have to sew.
Mike[/QUOTE]
Mike- I tried 5 gallon bucket paint strainer and I was able to stretch enough to barely fit. When I loaded the soil it seemed to stretch a bit and held at the corners. If you try this make sure you buy the one with a band at the top or it won't stay put. (local paint store should have them)

[QUOTE=Mike Maurer;239448]I am very curious what you plan to use for the liner? If you use the landscape fabric they used in New York, are you planning to sew it ? I'm trying to think of a liner that you wouldn't have to sew.
Mike[/QUOTE]

Yes on landscape fabric, but folded, or cut with a slight overlap. Nothing as fancy as sewing.

I sew but wouldn't sew these but instead used 2 strips to overlap some.
Sue B.

The landscape fabric I have used for similar designs (but standalone without the crate) can easily be stapled into the desired shape. [I]Much[/I] less labour intensive than sewing.

As others have said, if you are using crates you can just fold a couple of pieces in, overlaps don't seem to bother the tomatoes.

Thanks everyone for the ideas.
Mike

This looks like a neat way to use up those old crates that wind up in the recycle bins and even the trash in cities that don't have recycling programs.

I just started growing in milk crates days before I saw this thread. Great minds think alike!