Trough problem

[Lars S]

I have made my first cement trough following the recipe in Ians bulb log (1/2008). It all went well but, I underestimated the amount of cement needed so I ended up with a much more shallow trough than I intended (about 5-6 cm). So, my question is: What can I plant in such a shallow trough ?

I suppose that I can build up some kind of "mountain" with pieces of slab or something and thus improve the depth of the soil a little but the trough will still be deep frozen in winter. I can add that I initially intended to plant androsaces and other alpines in the trough.

Lars
Stockholm/Sweden

[David Shaw]

Lars, not sure about in Stockholm but here I would use a shallow trough for saxifrages, sempervivums, sedums or other similar shallow rooted genus. These are generally hardy and will survive freezing solid for short periods in the Inverness area of Scotland.

[Lars S]

Thank´s David,
The weather is not easily predicted these days but we normallys get lenghty periods with several degrees below zero during winter. I´ll try with saxifrages etc. and make sure to buy more cement next time ...

Lars

[Maggi Young]

Lars, I suggest you keep an eye out for the next Bulb Log!

[Lars S]

OK Maggi, I´ll do that


Lars

[Katherine J]

Lars, I have some 6 cm deep "troughs" (in fact ceramic Römertopfs  ) planted with Sempervivums, Sedums, Saxifrages, Raoulia australis, Androsace sarmentosa. Here also are severe and long lasting frosts in winter. I put them in a box filled with woodchips under a roof where they are free from rain, and they do very well.

[Lars S]

Katherine,

That sounds promising.

In fact the Stockholm area usually isn´t that cold in winter since it´s close to the Baltic sea. I think you´re right that it is important to put the trough in reasonably dry spot during winter.

Lars

[mark smyth]

I use a bucket for working out my quantities