Is your old rain barrel now obsolete? That doesn't mean you have to throw away the container. Recycling is coming back into fashion and is not just limited to the waste generated in the household. With the tips on this page on how to plant your rain barrel, your barrel will soon shine, or rather bloom, in a whole new light.
Which plants are suitable for planting in a rain barrel?
Rain barrels can be planted with useful and vegetable plants, ornamental plants or herbs. Low root formation and no high nutrient requirements are important. Overhanging ornamental plants and vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers are particularly suitable.
Which plants are suitable?
Both are suitable for planting a rain barrel
- Useful and vegetable plants,
- Ornamental plants
- as well as herbs
The latter prove to be particularly practical, as most spice plants only grow to a comparatively low height. Vegetables such as tomatoes or peppers can also be easily grown in the rain barrel. Basically, the vessel corresponds to a conventional flower pot. For this reason, however, the plants must fulfill two important properties:
- no excessive root formation
- not too high a nutrient requirement
Root formation
In contrast to normal pot cultivation, when planting the rain barrel it is not possible for you to move the plants into a larger container. The volume of the barrel must be sufficient for years to provide the rhizomes with enough space.
Nutrient requirements
In addition, the plants receive fewer nutrients than when planted in a bed. If necessary, promote growth with a suitable fertilizer (€27.00 on Amazon).
Tip
Ornamental plants look particularly beautiful if you choose specimens with overhanging growth.
Requirements for the rain barrel
Most plants cannot tolerate waterlogging. Therefore, remove the soil before filling in the substrate. This allows the irrigation water to seep away. Ideally, place your rain barrel on a permeable surface, such as a gravel bed.
In addition, ensure good stability. However, this is usually achieved automatically by filling with potting soil. The location primarily depends on the preferences of the plants chosen. However, your rain barrel shouldn't be left too sunny, as massive heat radiation can damage the material.
Tip
Your planted rain barrel will look even more beautiful if you dress it up as a stone.