Planting in a Belfast sink suggestions

ian thenut

We've inherited one of these "garden ornaments" and I thought I could make use of it and plant something in it.  I've checked it drains well.

I was hoping to use some polystyrene to separate two halves and plant something like Rhubarb and herbs.

Dimensions of the inside are 32x21x10 inches. 

It gets plenty of sun in the morning and then shaded around 1pm.

Any recommendations for what I can plant in it?

Obelixx

Rhubarb needs a lot of space, some shade and decent moisture levels.   It would not be happy in that sink.

Herbs, for the most part, like full sun and good drainage so I would make sure there are crocks t ensure good drainage and then use a loam based compost with some added grit and plant low growing herbs like lemon thyme, orange thyme, oregano, marjoram, prostrate rosemary and other Mediterranean herbs.

AuntyRach

Herbs are a great idea. Many herbs thrive best in full sun but Parsley, Mint, Corriander and Lovage won’t mind part-shade. You could consider succulents too - will enjoy a poor, gritty, well-drained soil. If you are after a splash of colour you could add some annuals and trailing plants like Lobelia and Begonias. Sounds like a fun project. 

ForTheBees

Do the opposite and have a small bog garden or mini pond? Or an alpine trough?

Buttercupdays

If you want it to blend in better you could always cover it with hypertufa. We used to live near Catterick Camp and I turned an old ammunition crate into a very passable alpine trough this way,almost the first garden thing I did. It needs re-doing now, but it's lasted over 30 years!

Suesyn

This is my Belfast sink, planted up last April /may ,I added lots of grit to make it free draining and made a sort of tent over it so it didn't get too wet over winter. The plants were all classed as alpines  (except the daffodils ) and will flower in spring, although last summer they went on and on . I will probably put some crocus in in the autumn to get some more colour 
It had a carex  (red grass)and bulbs in there before but the grass got too big and took over. 

Guernsey Donkey2

Your Belfast sink looks good Suesyn, I have just emptied mine after two years with some alpines, grasses and a succulent in it.  I am not sure what to plant in it now.  I would like it to have some daffodil bulbs (once they have died down in the garden), and other plants but not sure what yet.  In the meantime I found that the soil and grit that I took out was quite wet, so I have adjusted the plug hole.  What ratio of peat/soil to grit should be used - anyone who has a Belfast sink please post your pictures and any suggestions you might have.  I totally agree with Obelixx that Rhubarb is much too large for a Belfast sink, herbs would be a much better idea providing the sink has a good drainage hole.

JennyJ

Soft leafy herbs (things like parsley, lovage, coriander, mint) would do better in the part-shade than mediterranean types.  If you choose mint, don't put anything else in with it.  It will quickly swamp anything else.

JennyJ

Oops, just noticed that someone else posted the same list!