Tubs O'Green

We’re supposed to have rain this weekend. We had quite the storms pass through this week. High winds, heavy rain and even hail. There might be a break on Sunday, so I’m hoping that will be my project day. Before I describe my project, I wanted to share a photo that Rich took of some beautiful Evening Grosbeaks that flocked to our yard this week before the rain set in.  This is in our front yard where I will be completing a couple of projects later in the summer.

The ground is pretty saturated from all the rain, so this week’s project will focus on moving some garden tubs, getting them ready for planting and depending upon the outlook for the weather, planting some seeds. Rich started some broccoli in the house this year, so I may plant those.

I use old washtubs to plant my greens (different types of lettuce, spinach, arugula, etc.). I find this works great for me because the sprouting seeds don’t get lost amongst weeds as they have when I planted directly into the ground even when they were planted in nice neat rows. I currently move the washtubs to the back of the house in the fall and winter where they get the sun that is to the south at that time. Then, I move them back to the side of the house in the late spring and summer where they get some morning sun and afternoon shade. It seems to be perfect for our greens, as we grow some pretty much all summer. I do add some fresh amendments each year. Generally, I add a little more soil, rabbit droppings and maybe some dry, chopped straw or leaves. The side of the house is fairly sheltered, so the tubs don’t get swamped with rain water, but they seem to get just enough because I only water them in the driest part of the summer. When the tubs are at the back of the house, I have to keep them covered when we’re in for several days of rain. Otherwise, they get way too saturated.  The cover also serves to keep the plants warmer on frosty nights.

Moving the tubs is kind of a hassle, but Rich helps me lift them into the wheelbarrow and from there it’s pretty easy. They just slide out of the wheelbarrow when I get them moved around to the side of the house. This year, I plan to put raised beds in along the back of the house (another project!). They will also serve as cold frames for greens and starting plants in the spring, so the washtubs will stay on the side of the house this time. That will make it much easier.

Materials needed for this project: Soil, rabbit manure, leaves, seeds for planting, some sort of material (cardboard, newspaper, brown bags) for putting under the tubs to keep weeds down and the ground around them looking neat.

Cost: $10.00 for seeds (I have some leftover from last year, so I’m going to see if they will germinate, but I also have some new ones that I will plant as well.), $3.00 soil
Total $13.00

Location of the tubs now and what they look like:

Covered tubs for chilly days and nights.  Plus, it protected them from too much rain.

Their summer home, but this year it's becoming their year-round residence.  Notice the spinach growing in the tub behind the skeleton chairs.

Check back!  We'll hope for a few hours of dry weather!