I've been eyeing up Mark's tomato planters for a while now. Mark blogs on
Mark's Veg Plot blog and has mentioned these planters a few times. They're self watering planters and are supplied with a feeder tube and reservoir. They work by holding water in the reservoir which is then delivered in to the compost by capillary action keeping it consistently moist. At the beginning of November, I noticed that there was an offer on Amazon, the 40cm planters were reduced to £5.87 each from £7.99 and the matching drip trays which they stand on were reduced to £2.99 each from £3.99. Hubby said he'd treat me, so I ordered three and I'm now looking forward to trying them out next year. I have to say that this size is quite large and will take quite a bit of compost to fill them, I think I could have possibly gone for the 35cm and they'd still be large enough to house a healthy tomato plant. Anyway, there should be no excuse for my plants under performing next year, certainly not down to watering anyway, these containers should ensure that the plants get exactly the right amount of water when they need it.
The wind did get up again over the weekend, though it was only in the early hours of Sunday morning and it was nowhere near as bad as we'd had it the week before. It's a bit gusty again today, but not too bad, and the greenhouse is still standing, thank goodness.
I've noticed lots of blue tits around again just recently. They seemed to disappear for a time but there's plenty of them back on the feeders again. They're a regular visitor to my window feeder, it's lovely to see them at such close quarters. I got my window feeder for Christmas last year and I can highly recommend them. There's lots of different types, but they all cling to the window with suction cups and once filled with a little bit of seed, the birds just can't keep away. I've had blue tits, coal tits, great tits and robins on mine, and even gold finches on a couple of occasions. A regular visitor is the collared dove, I have them queueing up for a turn. I'm so impressed that I've bought a couple of them as gifts this Christmas, I hope the recipients enjoy them as much as I enjoy mine.
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They look great, I think I shall have a look & order some. We have had blue tits too which is unusual as they normally only appear when we have put sunflower seeds & peanuts. I'm using all the mixed seed up first so it is nice to see them.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that they work well. I love seeing all the different kinds of birds in the garden, it's always exciting if something new makes an appearance.
DeleteAt least their birds will, Jo.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure they will. I've included some bird seed in with the gift so they can get started straight away.
DeleteThanks for the mention Jo. I hope those planters work as well for you as they have done for me. You got a bargain in terms of the price, didn't you?
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I was pleased when I found them a little cheaper, though I bought them through a company listed on Amazon so had to pay postage, but I still got them for less than I found them anywhere else. They'll be worth it if they work.
Deletel guess it will give you better result than ordinary pots. but to expensive to me...
ReplyDeleteI think they'll be worth it, well, they will if they work.
DeleteThey certainly look and sound like a good idea. Archie seems to be giving them his okay.
ReplyDeleteIt's just dull and wet here.
I've being seeing blue tits out front again lately. They're such lovely, busy little birds. Flighty xx
Archie's a nosey doggy, he doesn't like to be left out of anything. The wind's settled down again now, which I'm pleased about, it's the weather I least like. Blue tits are such fast little things, flitting here and there. It's great to get a close view of them.
DeleteThey certainly look like big pots Jo compared to the size of Archie, he looks as though he could fit in one! Your toms will have no excuse for not doing well with these lovely new homes - you will have to tell them to grow well! xx
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I know. I'm hoping for great things from my tomatoes next year.
DeleteI have one self watering planter Jo and they are great. Just remember every now and then to water the tomato leaves too as they like this!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a window feeder for the birds...might consider getting one though!!
I have a family of collared doves that are coming to visit on a regular basis, baby is as big as parents now though!!
I've never heard of watering tomato leaves, I've never done that before. Window feeders are great for seeing the birds up close, I thought they might be too nervous to use it, but they're not. How lovely to have a family of collared doves which visit you, it's great to see a baby grow.
DeleteLovely plant pots, I like the dog in the background giving an idea of scale! Good to hear those window feeders work, I've thought about getting one for the eldest boy's bedroom window as he's such a birdwatching fan, but I wondered if it would ever be visited. I will look out for one now that you have recommended them.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the containers do their job next year, though they'll take some filling. I think your son would love a window feeder, it's great fun watching the birds at such close quarters.
DeleteA good idea for pots, especially if you go away on holiday. You could always planted some basil around the base of your tomatoes. A pasta sauce in a pot.
ReplyDeleteI thought about holidays, I suppose it will mean that my helpers don't have to come and water them every day. What a great idea about the basil, I might as well make use of the extra space in the containers. I think I shall use that idea.
DeleteI have those pots and they are fab so you should have smashin' tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to hear how many birds you feeding. I had a suction bird feeder but it kept on getting knocked off by the heavier birds. I must look out for another one.
We seem to having very similar weather to you. I heard today that winds of 100 mph are expected Christmas eve and Christmas day so maybe secure your greenhouse with something.xxx
I'm pleased to hear another good review of the containers, I'm looking forward to using them. My window feeder seems very secure, the collared doves land on it with a thud but it stays in place. I'm fed up with the high winds, they scare me to death, I wish they'd stay away.
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