This month Simon makes a moveable platform for plants in containers and makes a cranberry hanging basket.

Growing fruit and vegetables in containers is an ideal solution for those of us with small gardens. However, containers full of compost can be heavy to move. This month I’m building a platform with wheels that I can permanently keep a container on. So, the next time I want to move the container without risking damaging my back, I can just push it around on its wheels. This is really useful if certain areas of your patio only receives sun for certain amounts of the day. You can simply move it from one area to another to maximise your plants opportunity to ripen. Furthermore if you are growing a slightly tender plant, then you can use the wheels to move it back into a greenhouse or porch when the weather gets colder.
This project has practically cost me nothing. I’ve made the platform out of old pallets and the wheels I took off an old catering trolley. However, you can of course purchase your own set of wheels from DIY or hardware stores. You can in fact buy entire moveable trolleys, but they can be expensive, and the advantage of making your own is that you can make it fit the size of your container perfectly. In my container I’m planting a rare mint verbena which is slightly tender. It’s very similar looking to the more common lemon verbena, this one just smells of mint instead. For the container I’ve used an old wooden one I made from pallets a few years ago. However, as the rootball on my verbena is quite small, I’ve planted it in a smaller pot which i’ve placed inside the wooden container. As the plant grows I will re-pot it so it sits completely in the larger pallet container.
Things You Need

You Will Need:

Pallets, jigsaw or saw, crowbar, screws, screwdriver, tape measure, pencil.
4 x 5cm wheels, container, compost, crocs, plant, watering can

Step One

To make a sturdy platform to support a container you will need plenty of pallet slats. Choose a few pallets with the same thickness of slat.

Step Two

Work out how big your platform needs to be by measuring your container and then use a jigsaw to cut the slats to length at both ends.

Step Three

Use a crowbar and lump hammer to remove the slats from where they are attached to the central blocks. Remove any nails or screws from the slats.

Step Four

Attach the wheels to each corner about 5cm from the edge. It may be necessary to pre-drill the holes depending on the type of wheel fixture you are using.

Step Five

Use wire to tie the pallets together. If you want something more permanent and long term you can strut the pallets together using batons of wood.

Step Six

Place your container on top of the platform and add drainage such as polystyrene or crocks in the bottom. Make sure there is a drainage hole.

Step Seven

Fill the pot with compost and place your plant in the centre ensuring that the top of the rootball is level with the top of the compost.

Step Eight

Water the plant. Even if the rootball is already wet, or it is raining, it is always worth watering a plant after planting to allow the soil to settle around the rootball.

Step Nine

Move your new plant into your desired location, either in sun or shade depending on the plants requirements. If your plant is tender you may wish to wheel it into the greenhouse or porch.

Growing Cranberries in hanging baskets.

Making cranberry jelly from our own cranberries for Christmas lunch has always been a bit of a tradition in the Akeroyd household. Thankfully cranberries are easy to grow in a pot and the berries are usually ready for using in mid winter. One of my favourite aspects of growing these red berries is their gorgeous autumnal / winter colours where the trailing foliage turns wonderful shades of red and purple.

Cranberries require a slightly acidic soil, but if you don’t have these conditions in the garden, then don’t despair as they are suitable for hanging baskets. Their trailing habit makes them a fantastic feature hanging outside the back of the kitchen door. However, they do like moist conditions so don’t let them dry out. A simple irrigation system can be rigged up to a water butt to ensure the compost remains moist all year round.

Line a hanging basket with a butyl pond liner to ensure it retains plenty of moisture. Create a small drainage hole using a garden knife to prick a hole in the base. This should help to avoid the water turning stagnant, but not so much as to completely drain the compost of moisture. Create a potting mix of 75% ericaceous peat free compost mixed with 25% rotting pine needles. Plant the cranberry and firm the compost in around the rootball. Hang it in dappled sunlight and remember to regularly water it using rainwater.

Growing Cranberries

Hanging Baskets

Small Garden Ideas

Container Gardening

DIY Plant Mover