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Whiskey Barrels for Hassle-Free Gardening

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with North Sky Realty LLC 6502410580

Whiskey BarrelsI have gotten used to using whiskey barrels in my back yard for some of my planting in recent years.  They come in quite handy, and have some great advantages for gardening and landscaping. 

One of the nice advantages is that they can be used to grow plants that you want to contain in a small area, because they are invasive and will take over your yard.  Whiskey barrels are perfect for things like mint, for example. 

Another nice advantage of these is that they put the planting about 2 to 3 feet off the ground, so there is less bending over if you have back problems.  You can easily keep up with the weeding without all the back pain.  I also like the fact that you can grow grass right up to it, and you can run your weed wacker right up next to it and never damage it. 

The extra height can be an advantage for vegetables too.  It keeps them off the ground high enough to deter some garden eaters, like rabbits.  It won't deter the raccoon or squirrels, but you can also cage them too.  Another nice thing it they can offer a way to garden for those who really do not have a place to grow things.  Just set them on your porch, and fill them with soil, and plant what you want. 

Anyway, I thought I would share some photos of how I use them in my landscaping.  The the barrels in the photo above are the ones I planted Nasturtiums in this year, and one below I have chives, onions and more nasturtiums.  My wife and I like Nasturtiums for salads, and they also are not bothered by garden pests, so they endure all summer long.  Happy gardening!

Whiskey Barrels

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Comments(11)

Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

I would like to get some of these.  Where do you find your whiskey barrels Michael?

Aug 19, 2011 03:57 AM
Michael Delaware
North Sky Realty LLC - Battle Creek, MI
REALTOR®, CRS, GRI

Ann,

Here in my area of Michigan we have Lowes and Menards as major hardware stores.  I have found them in their landscaping areas.  They come cut in two different ways, vertical like you see in my pictures, and also horizontal.  I prefer the vertical.

I have also bought a few from the landscaping section at K-Mart, and I think Home Depot carries them too.  Make sure you don't get the fake ones.  These are true whiskey barrels, and are charcoal burned on the inside and have a slight smell of whiskey on the inside when you get them.  The wood is about an inch thick, and look like cedar or red oak and they have iron rings. 

The fake ones do not last and will fall apart.  Also, I drill about 4 or 5 one inch holes in the bottom before I fill them.  I usually put about 4 inches of pea gravel or rocks at the bottom, then fill the rest with soil.  That way they have good drainage.

Aug 19, 2011 05:09 AM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Michael, That is some great advice.  I like the concept of being able to grow things in small spaces.  Thanks for the idea!

Aug 19, 2011 05:10 AM
Terri Poehler
Realtor - Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs Real Estate Agent

They are cute. Who knew? I'd like to see them cut the other way too!

Aug 19, 2011 11:18 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Michael,

I have used them in the past. Good tip and nicely done post. :)

Post

Aug 19, 2011 12:06 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Great post, Michael. I came over from Roy's reblog. The barrels looks so pretty and add a rustic appeal.

Aug 20, 2011 01:09 AM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Michael,

Congratulations. Your post is now featured in the group "Americana." :)

Steve

Aug 21, 2011 06:02 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Michael,

I've always loved the look of a whiskey barrel. I saw them frequently in Northern, IL and WI but I don't see them here in Texas.

I'm glad you posted this information. Isn't it great that we can blog about things unique about where we live so that others who aren't familiar with it can get some great ideas? You sell Michigan with zest and interest! Congratulations on being featured in Americana!

Aug 21, 2011 06:23 AM
Valerie Osterhoudt
Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - Cromwell, CT
ABR, Cromwell, CT Real Estate ~ 860.883.8889

Michael.. I used to have whiskey barrels at my old house.. never thought about them once I moved into my condo.  Now you have put it into my mind again.  THANK YOU.  I will be going out to get some.  This is a perfect idea for containing plants when you live in a condo complex.

Aug 21, 2011 12:26 PM
Steve Hoffacker
Steve Hoffacker LLC - West Palm Beach, FL
Certified Aging In Place Specialist-Instructor

Michael,

Your blog had a big impact - and even more after the reblog. This is a great example of the reach of blogging. :)

Steve

Aug 22, 2011 04:25 PM
Michael Delaware
North Sky Realty LLC - Battle Creek, MI
REALTOR®, CRS, GRI

Thank you Steve, and thanks for the feature on 'Americana'.  It is sometimes amazing to me how what may on the surface appear to be a simple subject can actually become real popular.  It truly is the power of blogging.  I have learned that my best blog posts are those that I write during the moment I think that item should be shared.  Very interesting lessons.

Aug 23, 2011 01:22 AM