Swamptubes/Smartpots

[Sinsemillian]

I plan on growing some of plants outdoors this season in swamptubes. I have been wanting to try smartpots as well but think they are way overpriced. So I get this idea while smoking a bowl this morning. Why not line my swamptubes wit heavy duty lanscape fabric. I think it would work well lined in a swamptube and be cost effective at same time. Let me know what ya guys/gals think.

 

[wisco61]

The smart pots work because the breathable fabric is exposed to the air. Putting something similar inside a tub kinda defeats the purpose.

Think about making tubes with chicken wire and lining those with the landscape fabric.

 

[Sinsemillian]

I don't think ya know what I'm tryin to say. I'm gonna make swamp tubes but line them with landscape fabric. I'm not lining a smartpot wit landscape fabric. Lining the swamptube wit landscape fabric would be the cats arse I'm thinking. I guess I'll find out this summer

 

[wisco61]

What are your swamp tubes going to be made out of? I guess I was thinking you were going to line rubbermaid tubs with landscape fabric. If your swamp tubes are gonna be made out of some type of wire or fencing, I misunderstood. So are the tubes solid wall or something different?

 

[Sinsemillian]

They will be made of 4 stakes pushed into the ground wrapped in chicken wire fencing and lined with landscape fabric. They will be 18"-24" wide n 24" tall. Holes dug in the swamp 18" wide with the 4 - 1" branches(stakes) around the hole. In the swamp I'm growing the water table is 8" below the peat moss. So I will dig until I hit the water and 2" below the water line. Chicken wire fencing wrapped around the perimeter of the stakes and lined with landscape fabric n filled with my outdoor soiless mix etc. Hope this helps ya bro

 

[Sinsemillian]

I'm not growing in swamp tubs I'm growing in swamp tubes. Lol. Also there is going to be no bottom in these. This idea. Is not mine and it isn't new. I'm just nodding the system with landscape fabric so the soil can breath etc. I'm thinkin it will be a kick arse system because of the fabric making for better aeration like the smartpots do. I'm not really sure how they will do but I'm gonna find out this summer.

 

[plough]

deffo cheaper than smartpots!

 

[apartmentblower]

i think thats a really good idea. the landscape fabric will let the air circulate around the roots which is probably a big benefit in a swamp tube where there is always the risk of things being bit too moist year round. imma stash this idea in my head. make sure you post back with your results.

 

[Strainhunter]

Check the water in your swamp, the PH likely is too low (acidic) for your purpose.
Swampwater usually hovers around PH 3.5 to 5.5

 

[apartmentblower]

Check the water in your swamp, the PH likely is too low (acidic) for your purpose.
Swampwater usually hovers around PH 3.5 to 5.5

lots of dolomite lime is the answer

 

[LilHoldem-NB]

I think this is a great idea and would work great all around. I'm sure sinse knows about the ph of swamp water as well and will use dolomite lime. Gl to you and keep us updated bro.

 

[Strainhunter]

lots of dolomite lime is the answer

If that's what you think...then go right ahead.

Just try making sure you're not wasting your time, effort and resources.

 

[two heads]

Another way to use landscape fabric in the swamp

Another way to use landscape fabric in the swamp

The other head and I have been swamp growing for over ten years and last year tried raised swamp beds made by building a framework out of logs and sticks from the swamp with landscape fabric laid in and then filled with ProMix and compost. We built two at one site; one we called the herb wheel, the other the swamp boat, based on their shape.

Here's how they looked in the spring:

late summer:

harvest! (sorry, harvested at night)

The advantage of swamp beds over swamp tubes is larger square footage. The drawback is less soil depth. Either way, landscape fabric is a great way to keep your soil intact in a swamp's changing conditions and still get water, air and nutrient exchange.

Good luck in the swamp!

 

[Strainhunter]

......

The advantage of swamp beds over swamp tubes is larger square footage. The drawback is less soil depth. Either way, landscape fabric is a great way to keep your soil intact in a swamp's changing conditions and still get water, air and nutrient exchange.

Good luck in the swamp!

Wow nice pictures man!

Key is to avoid (too much) acid-ish water getting to the plant roots because even with lime (which as we all know is slow acting) there is a high potential of the plant developing deficiencies or worse crippling from the beginning.

 

[apartmentblower]

If that's what you think...then go right ahead.

Just try making sure you're not wasting your time, effort and resources.

if the ph is acidic you add dolomite lime which raises the ph. the basic swamptube guide from texada island says to add alot of dolomite lime

if youve got something from experience to add i welcome it but i prefer you leave the conceited dick attitude at home