Expert: nick mccann - 4/9/2009

Question
I just acquired two very nice homemade wooden box containers, 5' in lenght, 10" deep and 20 1/4 " wide) to plant my heirloom tomato plants this year.  I was told to line the plant boxes with the black weed landscape barier.  What soil mixture would you suggest I use? And is the black linner suitable? Should I put a layer of pebbles for drainage?  Thank  you so much for your help.

Answer
Hi Marie, I am a little concerned to the dept of the wooden containers, 10 inches doesn't allow much room for the roots to expand into; most tomato plants need all of that to really establish a healthy plant. I would change my choice of tomato to one of the Patio varieties, they are not as demanding, otherwise maybe knock out the bottom of the wooden ones, so that the roots can expand beyond the 10 inches. You would use any good quality potting mixture and mulch the top over with a couple of inches of cedar mulch or pine straw;  I am assuming there are no drainage holes in the wooden container, if not, then you would have to make some, because if you don't you will assuredly rot the roots as they will sit in water, not to mention rotting the wooden bottom of the container itself. I don't understand the reasoning behind lining the container with a weed guard? Bottom line here is to really give thaught to the limited depth of the containers Marie. Nick