Barrel Gardening

Something else that's fun about these unusual containers is all the different sizes they come in, from small custom-made varieties, to half barrels latched together with galvanized steel, to the much larger sizes for plants that need lots of root space--like trees.

To get started, set the empty barrel on the ground upside down and use a drill to make several drainage holes. A barrel with a wide base (figure F) needs about seven to eight 3/4-inch drainage holes. Remove any frayed wood from along the edges of the holes.

Attach screening by securing all four corners of the screen with heavy-duty staples and a staple gun (figure G). This protective screen will prevent the holes from clogging and keep pests out too.

Second to water, the growing garden may need some additional nutrients. "Another common problem with all container plants is not having enough nitrogen on your plants," says Creasy. This is a perfectly grown, healthy tomato (figure J). "Notice the difference in color between the healthy plant on the left and the nitrogen-deficient plant on the right (figure K)." For a nice nitrogen boost, Creasy adds some blood meal. Sprinkle blood meal over the entire soil surface of the container. Then, lightly rake the blood meal into the soil so it doesn't wash away. As the plant absorbs the nitrogen, the beautiful green color should return.

Not only are wine-barrel gardens transportable, meaning you can re-arrange your garden or take it with you if you move, but they're less expensive than terra-cotta pots. For example, you might pay $100 for a large whiskey barrel, whereas the same size terra-cotta pot could go for $500.

The only thing left to pour into the barrel is imagination. Ross suggests combining plants of contrasting color, foliage and height as long as they share the same growing requirements. "So the next time you're in a barrel over what to do with your yard," James asks, "why not try barrel gardening?"