Planting Up Wine Barrels
Presenter: Kim Syrus
Episode: 22 (22nd September 2007)
We all have spots in our garden that could do with a little attention. Sometimes to make an area more attractive we need to add plants. Often the best option is potted plants and the first question to answer is what plants you should use.
To work out the best plants for any area, you need to find out how much sun or shade the area is likely to get. Some spots gets some shade in winter but full sun in summer and that means choosing tough, water smart plants.
Another important consideration is how you want the area to feel. If the space is a little open, you may want to make it more intimate, adding height will help create a special cosy atmosphere.
There are two plants ideal for such a spot. Firstly an olive (Olea sp.), which will provide height with its wide branching habit. The other is the Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium sp.), which will add a splash of colour and help brighten up the area. Both are super hardy and importantly do well in pots.
For the olive to thrive you’ll need a large pot, something like a half wine barrel will allow plenty of room for the roots to grow and expand.
Wine barrels are meant to hold liquid so you’ll need to add your own drainage. Tip the barrel on its side and drill 6 or 7 holes in the bottom. This will make sure excess water drains away and the olives never become waterlogged.
A half wine barrel filled with soil has a fair amount of weight so it is essential to get the barrel in place first before filling with potting mix. It’s also a good idea to raise the barrel off the ground to stop it from rotting at the base.
Place some fly wire over the drainage holes to stop any potting mix falling through. Then spread a layer of gravel over this mesh to prevent it from clogging.
You’ll need around 100 litres or 4 bags of potting mix per barrel. Choose a good quality mix as you get what you pay for.
Part fill the barrel, add some water crystals, place the olive tree in and back fill. Plant all the olives and pelargoniums.
Water in well with a seaweed extract. Regular fertilising and watering will keep the trees growing strongly (olive) and the flowers blooming longer (pelargonium). With some great plants in well positioned pots and a couple of accessories, you can turn a once plain space into a Mediterranean resort.
Keeping the wine barrel damp helps prevent them falling apart, if you’re buying a barrel from a garden centre you can plant into it straight away. But, if you’re buying direct from a winery, you should fill the barrel with water and letting stand for about a week to help remove any residues from the wood.
The Plants:
Olive (Olive europeana cv.)
Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium, Hybrid Cultivar, Ivy Leafed Series)
Episode: 22 (22nd September 2007)
We all have spots in our garden that could do with a little attention. Sometimes to make an area more attractive we need to add plants. Often the best option is potted plants and the first question to answer is what plants you should use.
To work out the best plants for any area, you need to find out how much sun or shade the area is likely to get. Some spots gets some shade in winter but full sun in summer and that means choosing tough, water smart plants.
Another important consideration is how you want the area to feel. If the space is a little open, you may want to make it more intimate, adding height will help create a special cosy atmosphere.
There are two plants ideal for such a spot. Firstly an olive (Olea sp.), which will provide height with its wide branching habit. The other is the Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium sp.), which will add a splash of colour and help brighten up the area. Both are super hardy and importantly do well in pots.
For the olive to thrive you’ll need a large pot, something like a half wine barrel will allow plenty of room for the roots to grow and expand.
Wine barrels are meant to hold liquid so you’ll need to add your own drainage. Tip the barrel on its side and drill 6 or 7 holes in the bottom. This will make sure excess water drains away and the olives never become waterlogged.
A half wine barrel filled with soil has a fair amount of weight so it is essential to get the barrel in place first before filling with potting mix. It’s also a good idea to raise the barrel off the ground to stop it from rotting at the base.
Place some fly wire over the drainage holes to stop any potting mix falling through. Then spread a layer of gravel over this mesh to prevent it from clogging.
You’ll need around 100 litres or 4 bags of potting mix per barrel. Choose a good quality mix as you get what you pay for.
Part fill the barrel, add some water crystals, place the olive tree in and back fill. Plant all the olives and pelargoniums.
Water in well with a seaweed extract. Regular fertilising and watering will keep the trees growing strongly (olive) and the flowers blooming longer (pelargonium). With some great plants in well positioned pots and a couple of accessories, you can turn a once plain space into a Mediterranean resort.
Keeping the wine barrel damp helps prevent them falling apart, if you’re buying a barrel from a garden centre you can plant into it straight away. But, if you’re buying direct from a winery, you should fill the barrel with water and letting stand for about a week to help remove any residues from the wood.
The Plants:
Olive (Olive europeana cv.)
Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium, Hybrid Cultivar, Ivy Leafed Series)
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