You have heard you can plant a garden in almost anything? Today, Cathy Isom tells you a bit about using water troughs for a garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
Water troughs, or stock tanks as they’re also called, make fabulous gardening beds. They’re a smart replacement for the typical wooden raised beds because they’re sturdy and last a long time.
Water troughs in the garden are a handy way to reduce weeding, increase your gardening area, and help you avoid burrowing animals.
Some of the advantages of using water troughs include: they’re easy and no building is required, they keep out many types of wildlife, such as groundhogs, chipmunks, and rabbits. They’re ideal for areas that have poor soil, and, easier to weed and tend to get fewer weeds.
Some of the disadvantages: they’re heavy after you fill them with soil, the metal ones absorb heat and can become really hot in the summer. So, you really have to be mindful of what you can plant. Like other plant containers, they dry out quickly and need more frequent watering.
The two most common stock tanks are made from galvanized metal and polyethylene. There are also troughs made of stone, hollowed-out logs, and non-galvanized stainless steel.
I’m Cathy Isom…