I'm on a outside improvement spree!

I would like to get one of those barrels for my front porch. I have heard that I should put Styrofoam popcorn in it the bottom to fill it up. Is there anything else I can use to fill up the space? What flowers would look good for the fall? I am in zone 5. Thanks!

P.S. I decided to skip the bulbs in the pot.
I just want to get some fall annuals.

I'd go with a variety of colors of mums - and perhaps some of the flowering cabbage - both of those look nice together and will be hardy enough to make it through a serious frost.

As for the bottom of the container - since you're not planting perennials that need root space and these plants are only temporary - you clearly don't need to fill it completely with soil...you can fill the bottom with the styrofoam peanuts (if you do that - put them in a plastic bag and tie it - don't just pour them in, you'll have a mess since they NEVER stay where you put them!!) You can also use soda cans (standing upright) on the bottom - some of the soil will fill in around it or simply use peat moss at the very bottom. You really only need to have soil to within about 3 inches from the bottom of the roots of the annuals.

Aluminum cans are good, So are plastic milk bottles - If you want the pot/barrel to be solid (what is the opposite of top heavy?) you would fill the milk containers with water.

I have broken down styrofoam packing material, like the huge formed chunks that came with the computer, I broke those down into hand sized pieces, threw them in the bottom of a 55 gallon barrel (with holes drilled at the bottom fro drainage) Covered with the 'Sun Screen' material - this is a thick plastic string like material loosely weaved, it is used in Garden centers to provide bright shade. I cut it to about 6 inches wider in diameter than the barrel, laid it on top and carefully filled in with dirt, holding the extra screen material against the side to prevent the soil from filling in the space below.

In the case of a palm tree, I did not use a screen and I mixed the bottom half of the barrel with Foam chunks and dirt - Just to keep the pot lighter.

Other material I have used in large barrels and pots:

Smaller pots place up side down, 1 gallon and 5 gallon buckets placed upside down. Margarine containers filled with water, or empty - Broken pottery, shards of tiles, Lava stone Gravel, Shredded news paper in plastic trash bags, Shredded office paper in plastic bags, Logs, brick, cut up tires (old ones) PVC and ABS (Black plastic) pipe (Left overs from the job site), left over ends of 2x4s, 2x6 etc - Sawdust in plastic, saw dust without plastic (note if you are planning on growing vegetables, DO NOT use pressure treated saw dust).

Leaves, grass clippings, organic material in and out of bags - mostly out of bags since the material will compost - This is a good idea for an annual planting since the material will rot and the dirt slowly sink - At the end of the growing season I would empty the barrel, mix the organic material and soil and use that in my garden as a compost feed.

I have used whole news papers, stacked up - in that state they take a long, long time to rot - Part of the composting process requires 'loose' material which can breath. I have used bubble wrap, empty paint containers, washed out -

Basically anything can be used. Go with a material that will not rot if you want to keep the barrel as is for a long time. Use organic material (paper, wood, sawdust, leaves, grass clippings) if you want to make compost while having something nice to look at.

As for what flowers to get. I would suggest a trip to your local Wal-mart or home store Garden Center - There are so many choices and depending on what area you live in will determine what is available.

I recommend these kinds of stores for annuals, since they have low prices. Long lifed shrubs, trees, roses etc I get from my nursery.

Cheers

David

I planted 4 burning bushes in front and another small plant on the side of the porch. It looks great.

I bought a wine barrel (used Styrofoam peanuts and peat moss) and filled it with some annuals.

Thanks.. I'm done this season. (*wipes brow*)

Now I just have to rake leaves. I don't even have a tree in my yard!

I think my neighbor should have to come over and rake them... its his tree!

Unfortunately Clare, it doesn't work that way...think of it this way...my leaves fall off my trees and blow down the street, do I need to go two houses down and clean up my leaves? The leaves from up the street blow into my yard and same thing...

Oh well...think of it as good exercise on a beautiful fall day

I know it doesn't work that way LOL

It sure makes me laugh when I rake them.

I'm hoping for a huge wind.....blow all my leaves into Clare's yard Laugh away sweetie!!

Leaves:

I blow them onto the lawn (Or rake them) take out the lawn mower, put on the bag and set the mower down lower one notch - I mow the lawn and the leaves up all at once.

There are parts of my 2 acres where I let the leaves lay where they fall (Garden beds, around the roses, shrubbery, etc.)

1. This acts like a mulch, holding in moisture and keeps down the weeds.

2. The leaves decompose into rich organic matter which feeds the plants.

I have been doing this for 5 years. Previous to my being here the owner had all the leaves raked up an thrown away. We live in sand, thus he had to water every day, use chemicals to feed the plants.

After five years I can water every other day, have a good layer of black organic soil, and all of the shrubbery and roses are stronger, faster growing and in general healthier.

The leaves I mow up I spread around on my vegetable garden beds. This will keep down the winter weeds. I also use them in other beds where there are no leaves falling in by themselves.

I also rake up a few batches - I have one bed in my garden which I can cover in plastic, I put all of my frost delicate potted plants in there and fill up the bed covering the pots. Then I put in a couple three plastic milk containers. On frost warning nights all I have to do is go out and pull the plastic cover closed.

In spring when I plant the tomato plants, peppers, etc. I uncover a small part of soil, dig my hole, plant the plant and bring the leaves back to about 4-6 inches around the plant.

Cheers

David

Lydia

Just wanted to say thank you for that big wind!
I've been raking all week.

Clare!!! Still laughing????? I am

Oh - and you're welcome!!