Raised gardens can really bring an outdoor area to life. While you could buy new materials for a raised garden bed, a cheaper — and often more creative — option is to repurpose a feeding trough. These narrow containers are generally designed to hold water or food for animals. But troughs can easily work just as well as raised gardens. Plus they come in many shapes and sizes, from round and oval to rectangular and square.
You can use cattle, horse, or chicken feeding troughs. Most troughs are made from a strong polymer or galvanized steel. However, some are rubber or wood. We’ll cover the types of plants that you can put in a trough. Also, you’ll learn how to convert a trough into a planter or raised garden area.
Why Use a Feeding Trough for Gardening?
When you use a trough, you have all the benefits associated with a raised garden bed. Also, using a trough planter is a good way to control the soil. This is especially helpful if you live in an area that’s known for poor-quality soil. You can buy high-quality garden soil for the troughs. Also, a trough is a good solution for plants that require a specific type or mix of soil.
What Plants Can I Put in a Repurposed Feeding Trough?
There are many plants you can grow in a feeding trough planter. A trough makes a great display for succulents, alpine plants, annuals, and more. Purple rock cress, bellflower, catchfly, graptoveria, aloe, creeping phlox, and panda plant are a few examples. However, plants that typically have deeper roots than what the trough allows are not ideal. If you are considering flower or vegetable plants, find out how much root space they need.
Preparing a Feeding Trough Planter
You will need some cleaning supplies, pottery shards, and a drill. It helps to have another person available to assist with lifting, turning, and positioning. Decide where you want to place the trough before you start. Here are the main steps for creating a garden trough.
Step 1: Clean and Disinfect
Unless you are buying your trough new, it is important to clean it. Remove debris, dust, or grime. If
you use any chemicals, be sure to follow safety precautions. Disinfect the trough with diluted bleach or vinegar, and rinse it well.
Step 2: Drill Drainage Holes
Turn the trough upside down. With a drill, create small drainage holes about 6 inches apart. Be sure to use the right type of drill bit for the trough material. Turn the trough over again after you drill the holes. If you have a metal trough, you can spray galvanizing compound on the holes to prevent rust.
Step 3: Position the Trough
Put the trough in the desired place. If you want to keep it raised off the ground, use bricks or cinder blocks to support it. Be sure to have enough foundation material to support the weight of the soil. Also, make sure that the location of the trough is ideal for your plants. For example, don’t put it in a sunny location if the plants need more shade.
Step 4: Cover the Holes
Place pottery shards around the holes. Some people use wire mesh instead. However, keep in mind that some types of mesh may be prone to rusting or tearing. The purposes of mesh or pottery shards are to keep soil from clogging the holes or from coming out.
Step 5: Add the Soil and Plants
The type of soil you add depends on your chosen plants. Be sure to pick the right type or mix. Once the garden soil is in place, you can add your plants.
How to Maintain a Trough Planter
Even if you have the right type of soil for your needs, it requires care. When you use feed troughs as planters, the soil is fluffier. The roots spread faster because of that, and plants absorb the soil’s nutrients. This is why it’s essential to keep the soil fertilized. Be sure to follow the initial fertilization instructions and the recommended re-fertilization schedule on the product’s package. A time-release fertilizer is ideal for raised beds in a cattle trough planter.
Another important maintenance step is taking care of the trough itself. If you have a metal feeding trough, watch for deep scratches or dings. For a galvanized feeding trough, spray any damaged areas with galvanizing compound. If the feeding trough metal starts to rust, it can degrade over time.
Pest control is another critical issue. It’s important to protect plants in all types of feeding troughs. Based on the plants you choose, follow the recommendations for controlling plant pests. Also, if you have a wood trough, termites may be attracted to it. A raised bed creates a space where they can thrive. If you find infested wood, get rid of it. You can use beneficial nematodes, diatomaceous earth, or organic insecticides to deter termites. Be sure to research all the pros, cons, and instructions for each option first.
Creative Uses for Trough Gardens
There are many ways to be creative. You can create an artistic feeding trough ark to use as a flower planter in your yard. Troughs for gardening can be either decorative or functional. Some people use them for vertical gardening. For example, if you have a strong base, you can attach layers of smaller planters in vertical rows. You can also create a mobile garden on wheels. If you do this, be sure to choose hardware that can support the weight of the trough and soil. Also, pick hardware that is made of galvanized or stainless steel since it will be exposed to moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the most common questions people ask about planting in troughs.
Can you plant a garden in a trough?
Yes, it is possible to plant a garden in a trough. However, you may need multiple troughs if you want several plants that require more distance. Follow the planting instructions for space and depth for all plants you grow.
What plants can I put in a trough?
There are many plants that you can put in a trough. In addition to space issues, one important consideration is the location of the trough. The plant or plants must have the right amount of sunshine or shade. Also, use the right soil mix.
Do horse troughs make good garden beds?
A horse feeding trough can make a good garden bed. As long as you clean, prepare, and maintain it properly, it can last for years.
What are the disadvantages of feeding troughs for gardening?
Although planting in troughs can be advantageous in many ways, there are some potential drawbacks as well. During the hottest months, the soil may get too hot for some plants. If the trough is metal, the sun can heat it enough to burn roots that touch it. In hotter climates, do not put troughs in places with mostly full sun, and do not put them on asphalt. The soil can also dry out faster. Having to buy a lot of soil may be another disadvantage for some people.
Now that you know how to create a feeding trough planter, you can start transforming your garden. All you need are the right soil, location, and supplies. Find all the supplies you need at your nearest True Value store!
