That online source's prices are really high. Here in southern California the prices on used 55 gallon plastic drums can range from as low as $7 each to as high as $50 each, depending upon mostly who is selling them, type, condition, whether they are clean or not, whether you pick them up or get them delivered, quantity purchased, what was in them, etc. You might even occasionally get one or two for free, but most people know they are worth something. I am negotiating right now to buy 14 barrels for $10 each plus $20 to have them delivered. I plan to cut them in half, giving me one double open ended cylinder about 18 inches high and 21 inches in diameter, and one tub same dimensions but closed on one end from each barrel. The double open ended rings I plan to set on my hillside, leveling each place I set them, so my hillside will have in effect 14 miniature raised bed growing areas. The tubs I can put anywhere, including my patio, because they will be closed on the bottom. So I will end up with 28 planters. I also can buy six gallon pails for a dollar apiece, which I will use for smaller plants. The one thing that is sort of stopping me is the barrels I am buying are too good, too good to cut up, better than most people are selling, and the seller says they are brand new, might be true or not, but they do look new or hardly used. I am wondering if I should just resell the barrels and double my money.

55 gallons works out to about 7 1/3 cubic feet (a little more than 1/4 cu yd), so it's a little on the small side, but I think you could still get it to heat up. I think the niggest issue is going to be trying to ensure that enough air can get in. I think you probably want holes in the side for that, or you need to turn it more often than once a week. One thing I'll point out on the green/brown issue is that you mentioned that you have a bunch of coffee grounds in there. Coffee grounds, while brown in color, are a green from the standpoint of composting materials, so depending on how much a bunch is, you may not need more greens. the 12-0-0 would probably heat it up, but a lot of people like to limit the chemicals they put in their compost. If there's a Starbucks nearby, they give their coffee grounds away for free, so you could use them with the same effect and for less money.

I am not looking for attractive, I am looking for cheap and sturdy for all the fruit trees and berries I have in pots, so I have switched to the big plastic lug-tubs with rope handles. They also have the benefit of being much easier to move around when filled with soil. Big Lots has some now for $7.00, I believe, MUCH cheaper than plastic pots and much larger for the plant, too. Carla in Sac

Hi I built a 5x10 x3 deep made of stacked 4x4's lined with a fiberglass tarp. Holds 1000 gallons for around 300 bucks . The problem has been that I couldn't resist planting it so now it's actually a water garden complete with fish . Obviosly this means I can't use all the water ,lol When I gave up my Marine aquarium I decided to use the tank for rainwater .150 gallons in a space 18x72. Same problem . Added plants and fish so can't use the water lol. Wasn't sure I could keep an aquarium outdoors but it's actually been easier than keeping one indoors. Have even been able to keep it warm through winter with a simple aquarium heater. with a boost from some styrofoam insulation on cold nights. I now use the aquarium as a reservoir for the waterfall. Guess what? I planted the entire face of that too lol What I need is some place to store rainwater for the terrestrial plants ?? lol gary