how to use a stock tank as a planter

How to Turn a Stock Tank Into a Planter

1. Drill drainage holes. Flip over the stock tank and, using a quarter- or half-inch metal drill bit, drill plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. ...
2. Position the stock tank. Move the tank into place and then boost it up on bricks, cinder blocks or four-by-fours to facilitate drainage. ...
3. Fill it with soil. ...
4. Plant. ...
5. Water. ...

Full Answer

Can you plant a planter in a stock tank?

An optional step would be to place wire mesh in the bottom of the stock tank to keep your soil from running out through the holes. Find a place in your yard where you would like to keep your planter, but make sure that it’s in an area that fits the sunlight criteria of your plants.

How do you take care of a stock tank planter?

You’ll want to make sure you keep the soil consistently watered; much like raised-beds, stock tank planters dry out much quicker than gardens that are in the ground. Setting up a drip irrigation system can save you some work when it comes to watering your planters, but hand-watering can work just fine too, if done consistently.

How do you drill a planter for a stock tank?

It’s important to drill drainage holes in the bottom of the planter at base of the stock tank so it doesn’t become a swampy mess. Use a 1/4- 1/2 inch metal drill bit. Make sure to wear eye protection and take proper safety steps since you are drill though galvanized stainless steel metal and there will be shavings. Wear gloves too!

How do I choose the best stock tank for my Garden?

Select a stock tank based on the space available in your garden or on your patio and the types of plants you’d like to grow. If you’d like to maximize growing space for evergreen screening plants, a dwarf fruit tree or larger-scale veggies like tomatoes, artichokes and rhubarb, choose a stock tank with a soil depth of 2 to 3 feet.

What do you put in the bottom of a stock tank planter?

Place Your Planter If the tank is more than a few feet deep, fill the bottom with old wood or a hay bale. This will save you the expense of filling the bottom with soil and rocks. You really only need to have rocks and soil in the top 10 to 12-inches of your planter.

Can I use a stock tank for a raised bed?

1:2611:45Stock Tank Raised Bed Garden Setup 2021: How we are growing food to ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe have purchased some two by four by eight size galvanized steel containers they're stock tanksMoreWe have purchased some two by four by eight size galvanized steel containers they're stock tanks that farmers would use to water their stock.

Are galvanized stock tanks safe for gardening?

The short answer to this is yes, they're absolutely safe for gardening use. Since it requires acidity to break down the zinc coating that galvanized steel has, and most garden soils are neutral, there's little to no impact. Plus, zinc is an essential plant micronutrient and a normal part of the soil.

Is it safe to grow vegetables in stock tanks?

A: Galvanized troughs make excellent gardening containers. Plants grow well in them, and they save a lot of bending over in the garden. The only problem when growing vegetables is that over time small amounts of zinc and cadmium can leach out from them.

Can you plant a garden in a stock tank?

Making the Planter For edible plants, herbs, and flowers, you will only need a soil depth of around 1 foot. Turn over your stock tank and use a quarter or half-inch metal drill bit to drill several drainage holes along the bottom. A good rule of thumb is to drill two holes per every square foot of bottom.

How do you make a trough into a planter?

Steps: Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the feeding trough roughly 6 inches apart. Flip the feeding trough over and put it in the desired location. Use cedar planks underneath the trough to give the planter more space to drain.

Do galvanized raised beds get too hot?

Myth #2: Metal Garden Beds Will Get Too Hot Metal conducts heat and is often warm to the touch after sitting in the sun. Will a metal garden bed cause plants and soil to overheat? The answer is no.

Should I line a metal planter?

Lining the container can also help protect the roots. Metal planter liners: A metal plant liner insulates the roots from heat and cold, but it's also a good idea for old-fashioned lead containers that can leach toxins into the soil, or anytime you want to isolate the soil from the coating of your metal pot.

Do galvanized planters rust?

Galvanized steel is steel that's been coated in a layer of zinc to prevent rusting. This makes it especially good among metal plant containers, because the presence of soil and water means a lot of wear and tear for containers. When planting in galvanized pots, make sure you have adequate drainage.

How do you plant vegetables in a stock tank?

Drill drainage holes. Flip over the stock tank and, using a quarter- or half-inch metal drill bit, drill plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. ... Position the stock tank. Move the tank into place and then boost it up on bricks, cinder blocks or four-by-fours to facilitate drainage. ... Fill it with soil. ... Plant. ... Water.

Are galvanized steel planters safe?

Yes, using galvanized steel for planting is considered safe. Zinc is one of the most widely used metals in the world. In galvanized metal, the zinc alloy coating protects the underlying steel from corrosion and extends the life of the steel.

What is the fun thing about stock tank planters?

The fun thing about stock tank planters is that you can get creative. Stock tanks come in many sizes, shapes, and depths, so you have the opportunity to choose a tank that caters to the type of plants you will be planting, as well as what fits and looks good in your yard.

How to keep a stock tank from rusting?

Spray the holes with a galvanized compound to keep them from rusting. An optional step would be to place wire mesh in the bottom of the stock tank to keep your soil from running out through the holes.

Can you add filler to soil?

When adding fillers, it’s important to consider the level of soil your plants will need to grow successfully. You don’t want to add too much filler and then find out that you don’t have enough space for the proper amount of soil.

How deep should I fill a hay bale planter?

If the tank is more than a few feet deep, fill the bottom with old wood or a hay bale. This will save you the expense of filling the bottom with soil and rocks. You really only need to have rocks and soil in the top 10 to 12-inches of your planter.

Can you move a stock tank in the sun?

If you’re planning a garden, a long yet shallow stock tank might be preferable. Remember, the bigger the tank, the harder it will be to move when it’s filled with dirt, rocks, and plants. Find a Spot in Your Yard. Sunlight is essential, but if your stock tank is metal rather than plastic, it can heat up in the sun.

Can you use a stock tank for watering?

If so, just open those up and you’re all set. If not, carefully drill drainage holes in the bottom of the trough. But remember, if you do drill holes , you might not be able to use it for watering your animals.