Somthing new compost in a pipe

[Bobberman]

If this pipe has holes in it, and there are plants growing all around searching out nutrients and water, the roots are going to grow right into the holes and plug them up rapidly. Just like they do with sewer pipes if they can find a way in. Maybe with annual vegetables this wouldn't be too much of a problem, I don't know. If you have trees or shrubs anywhere in shouting distance, they'll be in there too. My grape vines and peach trees send roots 10 ft. or more into my garden, and I don't even want to talk about the silver maple and cottonwood not too much farther away. Just something to watch out for.

++++Very good point! Actually I hope the roots do grow into the pipes because they will get their food there more direct but tomato or veg. roots should not pose a problem as wood a tree root! I have no trees near by! I also plan on redoing the pipes every year if I have too since there is such easy access to them in only a foot of soil! I may even want to move the deeper compost dirt to the surface or use it in the fall for my new plantings in the spring sinc it should be very rich and the pes gravel will actually airate the top soil in the garden! Pea gravel and sand ae excellent admemdments to any garden to break up the soil! I also like to add some wood ashes to my garden from the burn pile!!

[rot]

..
I like the idea of the elevated barrel raised to gravity feed tea at the mulch/surface level a la drip irrigation more better.

Going to the root zone directly strikes me as bypassing the soil and I think in terms of feeding the soil which will then feed the plants.

two cents
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[DoubleDogFarm]

I like the idea of the elevated barrel raised to gravity feed tea at the mulch/surface level a la drip irrigation more better.

Going to the root zone directly strikes me as bypassing the soil and I think in terms of feeding the soil which will then feed the plants.

Yes, I agree. You may have to filter first, so it doesn't plug the emitters.

These are fun, interesting ideas. My brother and I are constantly sketching and scheming ideas. Never follow through on many. Just mental exercise.

I personally would just incorporate the compost into the soil and use the tea as needed.

Eric

[applestar]

I finally got around to reading this thread. As I was going down the page, I was thinking "But..., BUT!!!" ...then got to the bottom of the first page and saw that Tox had beat me to it!

I also think the roots will greedily grow into and fill all the holes and plug up the pipe. I suspect DDF's potatoes would simply grow inside and fill the tubes. Do you know the "Roto-rooter" jingle?

[DoubleDogFarm]

Now now Applestar, you know new potatoes grow above the seed potato. I would put the seed potato right at the top opening so only the roots are in the nutrient solution.

flush your troubles down the drain, applestar-er

Eric

[Bobberman]

Now now Applestar, you know new potatoes grow above the seed potato. I would put the seed potato right at the top opening so only the roots are in the nutrient solution.

flush your troubles down the drain, applestar-er

Eric

How about the tomato that grows potatoes on its roots. I have not heard much about it for awhile! Growing big tomatoes and big potatoes is not a pipe dream with this new brain storm or is it. We will know after this summer!

[toxcrusadr]

When they invent one that grows roasted garlic mashed potatoes on the bottom and spicy Cajun tomoatoes on the top, I'll totally grow that.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Hey, don't forget the sausage!

Eric

[toxcrusadr]

Methinks that would take very advanced genetic engineering.

[Bobberman]

If this pipe has holes in it, and there are plants growing all around searching out nutrients and water, the roots are going to grow right into the holes and plug them up rapidly. Just like they do with sewer pipes if they can find a way in. Maybe with annual vegetables this wouldn't be too much of a problem, I don't know. If you have trees or shrubs anywhere in shouting distance, they'll be in there too. My grape vines and peach trees send roots 10 ft. or more into my garden, and I don't even want to talk about the silver maple and cottonwood not too much farther away. Just something to watch out for.

Ya trees or shrubs would plug the holes but veg don't have very log roots and would maybe grow through the top of the pipe which would be good! This pipe would give ,moisture to the plants along with growing materials! I like the idea of a 50 gallon barrel on the surface of the ground connected to the pipe from the bottom of the barrel so that the compost tea would contantly flow into the pipe. The barrel could be closed or open some so as to leave rain inside the barrel! You could put all your scraps in the barrel and it should work with a gravel sand mix at the bottom foot of the barrel! This is getting me excited and I can see those big healthy tomatoes and peppers! I have some white bricks that I put around my peppers for more light reflection and heat and the peppers love it! The barrel will have a pipe connected about 6 inches above the bottom at the center of the 20 foot underground pipe. This would be easy to do even with a 50 gallon plastic barrel which I already have! I will even put a few holes in the sides for air!

[toxcrusadr]

It still seems greviously overengineered, but if you have the time and can't find anything else to do, by all means!

Over time, most gardeners move in the direction of 'simple.'