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| I have a very small greenhouse in which I grow some tropicals (pineapples and papayas) as well as a few seasonal and out-of-season vegetables (we have very cool summers). Everything is grown in containers (mainly 5 gal nursery pots).
I've been wondering about using the vertical space better since I always train tomatoes, cucumbers and melons up twine, but I lose the height of the pot. It occured to me maybe I should dig holes in the ground, place empty containers in them, and then nest planted containers in these empty pots (perhaps on a shallow bed of gravel), thus gaining some more room for vertical growth. That way I still would not have to worry about viruses building up in the soil, etc. The drawback that I can think of is that the soil in the containers will perhaps be a little cooler this way. Maybe not so good for the papayas (or maybe good since that will insulate the soil on cold nights?) and maybe tomatoes and cukes might be slower to start in the late Summer for Fall and Winter. Thoughts? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by Slimy_Okra none (My Page) on Tue, Oct 25, 11 at 0:34
| I would say that from September through February, the buried pots, on average, will be warmed than those above ground. You would also cut back a little on a water usage. March through August, the buried pots will be cooler. So it would depend on what you're growing and when you're growing it. |
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| My hunch is that having the roots in the ground would be good all-around. It would certainly be warmer during cool times, and would be cooler during warm/hot times and you'd be buffered from the big temperature swings that occur every day in a greenhouse. Sounds like a good plan to me! |
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