Row Planting or separate pots?

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steveydvee

Well-Known Member
Hey guys I'm building a light dep greenhouse and I'm wondering if I should do separate smart pots per plant or build a bed of soil with multiple plants in each row (similar to the standard agricultural practices) wondering what the pros and cons of each one was.
 
JCS57

JCS57

Well-Known Member
Pots give you more control unless we’re talking the size that require a forklift to move but the nicest plants I’ve ever grown have come from the ground.
 
DancesWithWeeds

DancesWithWeeds

Well-Known Member
God plants His in the ground.

One thing I've found out is if you grow in a 5 gallon pot you get 5 gallon plants. Personally, after having to grow in pots inside for so long I can't wait to get mine in the dirt. Oklahoma just got legal for medical.

I have to agree with JCS57 in as much as I live in the country and unlike a most city people, I know the difference between things grown naturally and hydroponic, grow room, or potted. They are just not the same. It you are going to grow in pots I don't think you will be able the difference from in the ground if you use fairly large smart pots (maybe 20 gal or so) with Supersoil. Also, I choose Supersoil made with good composted potting soil over even Fox Farm.

If you make Supersoil you may want to look at the end quantity and maybe scale it down. If you use the quantities Subcool lists you'll end up with 62 pounds of nutes to add to 240 pounds of potting soil. One cubic foot weighs about 60 pounds and is about 7 gallons.


Unfortunately, my growing experience doesn't come from growing weed, but basically farming is farming and all produce grows about the same. Feed your plants right and they should do well in ether ground or pots. You probably won't get as much from a pot, but fewer problems with pests. And, if you're using smart pots you shouldn't have to worry about root problems like root rot.
 
too larry

too larry

Well-Known Member
Miyagismokes said:
The advantage of the ground is you get that much more height, which can be CRITICAL.
though I'm just as like to plant in 27gallon totes.
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If I couldn't grow in the ground, my next choice would be kiddie pools. The size I use is 45-50 gallons. If you catch it right, you can pick them up at Walmart after the season for 5-6 bucks. I'm trying to grow smaller herb plants, but I use them for peppers and tomatoes with good effect. I sink them flush with the ground, so you don't lose any height.
 
too larry

too larry

Well-Known Member
Miyagismokes said:
Not a bad idea, I discounted it because I've used them (80-100gal-ish) for full term outdoor, and the soil is too shallow for peak summer here.... Heat stress.
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I could see where that would be an issue. Water can also be touchy in shallow pots. I did 4-5 tomatoes per swimming pool, the roots filled them up. Had to rig up a soaker system.

I poke holes in the bottom. With herb you would want to cut out a good sized hole for the tap root to grow into the ground.
 
Miyagismokes

Miyagismokes

Well-Known Member
too larry said:
I could see where that would be an issue. Water can also be touchy in shallow pots. I did 4-5 tomatoes per swimming pool, the roots filled them up. Had to rig up a soaker system.

I poke holes in the bottom. With herb you would want to cut out a good sized hole for the tap root to grow into the ground.
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I just remove the bottom and set it on 1/2" steel mesh. I usually use clones, so they don't get very taproot-y anyway.
 
socaljoe

socaljoe

Well-Known Member
DancesWithWeeds said:
That's what I thought. We don't have gophers, it's MOLES!!! and more MOLES!!! and...
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From my understanding, and perhaps you can correct me if I'm wrong (I don't have moles), moles mainly eat grubs, worms and other insects. So the main danger to your plants would be them burrowing through the root system, right?
 
DancesWithWeeds

DancesWithWeeds

Well-Known Member
Yes. That's pretty much the way it is. They make tunnels about 4 to 6 inches deep. They don't really dig, it's more like they swim through the dirt. They are destructive as hell. They do have a few favorite vigis. I had them move in and eat a large garden, 50' x50' of sweet potatoes in one weekend just before harvest.

They do eat what you said, but they get them from around the roots of plants. There goes the plant. They are very territorial. Probably less than a half dozen per acre, but then sometimes they are everywhere. The best way to get rid of them is spray with caster oil and water. About 2 tablespoons oil to a gallon of water. It doesn't kill them but after about a week they will leave. That may work on gophers, to.
 
too larry

too larry

Well-Known Member
DancesWithWeeds said:
Yes. That's pretty much the way it is. They make tunnels about 4 to 6 inches deep. They don't really dig, it's more like they swim through the dirt. They are destructive as hell. They do have a few favorite vigis. I had them move in and eat a large garden, 50' x50' of sweet potatoes in one weekend just before harvest.

They do eat what you said, but they get them from around the roots of plants. There goes the plant. They are very territorial. Maybe less than a half dozen per acre, but then sometimes they are everywhere. The best way to get rid of them is spray with caster oil and water. About 2 tablespoons oil to a gallon of water. It doesn't kill them but after about a week they will leave. That may work on gophers, to.
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We always used to grow castor beans to kill our moles. Locally they are called Sandy Mounders or Salamanders. I've lost the seeds over the years, but I need to find some online. It was as easy as putting a few beans in their tunnels. These guys don't hurt my weed grow, but the piles of sand they mound up are hell on mower blades.
 
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