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Half-barrels...and a faulty pH/moisture tester

Last post 07-10-2011 6:06 PM by Izaskun. 3 replies.

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  • 01/10/2011 06:39 PM
    • Izaskun
    • Brussels, Belgium
    • 01 Oct 2011
    • 3
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    Hello, I have a couple of questions. Firstly on half-barrels. I see them all over the place in the UK e.g. local councils use them for planting flowers in - over here in Belgium they seem very hard to come by. When I eventually found a garden centre which said they could order some, they told me I'd have to keep them full of water - i.e. use them as a "water feature" or they would distintegrate....surely this isn't true? Do people treat them first in some way? Does anyone know if any place that might export one to Belgium for me..? Second question is about a pH/moisture tester. I bought one with two prongs and a dial at the top, just to get a basic idea of my pot plants' situation. Bought as a kind of consolation to myself after a hopeless pilgrimage in search of the barrels. When I got it home, it turned out to have no instructions, and seems not to work. It scarcely responds at all to soil that has been drenched. And as for pH, I stuck it in a lemon and it said "alkaline". The brand is Nortene (Senso 3). It doesn't take batteries or anything. Could I be doing something wrong?

  • 04/10/2011 07:21 AM
    In reply to
    • Julie
    • London
    • 28 Apr 2009
    • 410
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    I'm not sure but I think the barrels are made to hold liquid and need that pressure to hold them together so eventually they may well fall apart without any pressure from the inside to hold the metal hoop in place - that's my impression, I may be wrong. Full of soil and plant roots may provide enough pressure as well? I have one full of water and it's been fine.

    I would google the tester and look for reviews. I did a quick google but didn't find much. I wonder if it's sold in this country.

  • 05/10/2011 09:41 PM
    In reply to
    • Nigel
    • Paignton
    • 27 May 2008
    • 189
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     Hello

    Barrels originally made to hold liquids, should not be allowed to dry out as the wooden staves shrink and loosen. Barrels originally made to hold dry goods were made tighter, this was considered to be a greater skill than making barrels for liquids.

    I would be inclined to agree with Julie in that the soil/compost would tend to hold the barrel together

    As for the pH meter you might be better off with a traditional soil testing kit using solutions.

    Nigel

  • 07/10/2011 06:06 PM
    In reply to
    • Izaskun
    • Brussels, Belgium
    • 01 Oct 2011
    • 3
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    Thanks to you both! So helpful for a total novice like me to hear other experiences. My search has finally ended with what must be Belgium's only barrel-shop, with some great-looking, tight barrels....I'll fill them with soil and water well as soon as they arrive - might even try pre-soaking the barrel. The only thing is, I won't necessarily want to end up over-watering the plants I put in them, but I think it's worth a go.