Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Ian Young's Bulb Log - Feedback Forum => Topic started by: Ian Y on September 17, 2008, 12:49:30 PM

Title: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 17, 2008, 12:49:30 PM
[attachimg=1]

In Bulb Log 38 http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2008/170908/log.html (http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2008/170908/log.html) I show a method of making Troughs using cement, sand and a fish box - it is a new slant on an old method.

Over the coming weeks I will post a whole series of extra pictures, many taken at workshops, of the making process.

I will also cover planting the troughs and follow up pictures of the troughs progress as the plants establish.

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Carlo on September 17, 2008, 01:18:35 PM
Beauty Ian...can't wait to see more.

Given the small amount of soil that is likely to be present in the pictured trough, what are you planting in it (can't make them out) and are you planning a little bit more regular watering?
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on September 17, 2008, 01:32:18 PM
Given the small amount of soil that is likely to be present in the pictured trough, what are you planting in it (can't make them out) and are you planning a little bit more regular watering?
All will be revealed in future logs, Carlo.... keep watching!! ;)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Carlo on September 17, 2008, 01:51:22 PM
Wouldn't miss it. This is a topic of particular interest to me...

...and the initial photo shows a beauty. I keep trying to get people here to LANDSCAPE their troughs--build UP...and yet they continue to treat them like pots.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Jim McKenney on September 17, 2008, 03:56:20 PM
Thanks for sharing this, Ian.

As our gardens get smaller, troughs more and more seem to be the future of rock gardening for some of us. I have a small section of garden which I want to develop as a trough yard or trough garden so-to-speak.
I live in an area where exposed rock is not a part of the natural, local topography. Rock gardens built in any of the "heaps of rock" styles stick out like a sore thumb and are very difficult to integrate into small gardens. Those with a lot of space can tuck them around the corner where they are not too obtrusive, but on a small place I find them about as attractive as a junk vehicle parked on the lawn.

But to my eyes a handsomely arrayed selection of troughs is another matter entirely. Troughs are so inviting and approachable: I'm really itching to build a small sitting area cozily embraced by troughs, troughs built in a variety of sizes,  using a variety of materials, showing varied textures and surfaces and displaying a carefully considered suite of beautiful and interesting plants.

So I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread. Thank you, Ian.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on September 17, 2008, 07:07:09 PM
I shall read with avid interest. My attempts at making troughs, so far, have been an abject failure. Am I the only one who was at the back of the queue when DIY skills were being handed out? :-[
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lars S on September 17, 2008, 07:41:32 PM
That looks beatiful ! It gives hope for my too-shallow-trough  ::)

Lars
Stockholm/Sweden
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on September 17, 2008, 08:32:25 PM
Lars, you will soon  see that Ian has made some very shallow troughs.....hope this will be of use toyou!
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lars S on September 17, 2008, 09:05:10 PM
Yes Maggi, I am sure it will be of great use.

One thing I did wonder a little about though, was the soil in the trough that was displayed in the Bulb log. Is it correct that Ian used only sharp sand ? It seems to me that it would take a lot of watering in the summer  ??? 

Lars
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on September 17, 2008, 09:14:04 PM
Lars, the theory is that watering will be provided mostly by condensation  in the crevices ....I am sure Ian will explain more in coming logs.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Diane Whitehead on September 18, 2008, 05:37:50 AM
Those who can't find fish boxes could use styrofoam grape boxes - it is
grape season now, so they are easy to get from supermarkets.  They
already have holes in them.

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 18, 2008, 09:19:11 AM
Thanks for all the interest in the troughs - it is a wonderful way to grow plants.

I should add that the very small and shallow troughs that are planted up were free form troughs made using some left over cement mix and being quite light they are easy to carry to workshops - they will require more frequent watering.

I will post a number of pictures taken at the workshop at the Scottish Plant Explorers Garden in Pitlochry showing me demonstarting the method, most of which are self explanatory if you have read the bulb log.

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 18, 2008, 09:37:40 AM
[attach=1]
Having finished the base positioned the box and covered the bottom I now start to build up the sides.

[attach=2]
Many hands make light work as I invited people to come up and have a go, I was almost knocked over by the rush of hands.

[attach=3]
It is important to take care at this stage to ensure that all the cement mix is bonding well and make it nice and lumpy to look like it is carved from a lump of stone.

[attach=4]
Once I am happy with he outside I remove any excess thickness from the inside walls. I often use the excess to further add realistic lumps and bumps to the outside.

[attach=5]
I had prepared two troughs the day before the workshop so I could demonstrate the next stages but I made my mixture slightly too wet - I had not realised the Pitlochry water was wetter than ours ;) Because the mix was that bit too wet in a couple of places it slid down leaving cracks.

[attach=6]
This turned out to be a good thing for the workshop and I could almost have claimed to have done it on purpose to show that it is not a problem. Smply clean out the crack digging into the polystyrene if it is showing and fill it back up with the same mortar mix.

[attach=7]
This is where the crack was.

[attach=8]
Another small crack near a corner.

[attach=9]
Is soon repaired.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on September 18, 2008, 09:44:42 AM
It seems to me that part of the battle is to get the rocks looking right before planting. In yours Ian I detect the mind and vision of the artist. Mine always look like a three year olds attempt to re-create Stonehenge.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on September 18, 2008, 09:47:24 AM
I know the feeling David...  ::)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 18, 2008, 10:11:29 AM
David and Luc, I know you can do it have a go or come to a workshop.

[attach=1]
The next day the trough should be dry enough to slide to the edge of the board but the mix is still soft enough so you can shape the bottom edge.

[attach=2]
Also you can make any refinements to the sides such as fake chisel marks chips etc to help make it look real.

[attach=3]
This is a week old trough and the surface has a sharp grainy surface that does not look like it has been weathered at all so I smooth it all over by rubbing it with a smooth bit of stone.


[attach=4]
Even after a week the trough has not hardened completely so you can still make some more marks if you wish. If by any chance you cut too deep trough to the polystyrene just repair it with the mortar as I showed above.
I also use a wire brush to smooth and texture the surface I will show more details of the finishing process later - then I will move on to landscaping and planting.
[attach=5]
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: art600 on September 18, 2008, 12:31:51 PM
Ian

How heavy were the finished troughs shown in your workshop? 
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Katherine J on September 18, 2008, 12:43:51 PM
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU IAN for these pics and log. For us who haven't been able to be at Pithlochry on that day this is so useful. And your plantings are real beauties!

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on September 18, 2008, 01:05:35 PM
David and Luc, I know you can do it have a go or come to a workshop.

Thanks for the confidence Ian !  ;D
Some day.....  ::)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: mark smyth on September 18, 2008, 02:01:53 PM
I asked a local builders supplier for the sand cement mix. They said their wouldnt recommend it for making larger troughs and should mix my own.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 18, 2008, 03:21:34 PM
Arthur, I have not weighed a finished trough but I would guess empty it would weigh around 12-13kgs as I make 2 from a 25Kg bag of the motar mix.

Mark, If you are making lots of troughs or large ones then you will be cheaper mixing it your self.
I wanted to make things nice and simple so that every one could do it. I have made some bigger troughs from these mixes over a number of years and not had and problems yet.

Thank you Katherine, I am glad you are enjoying the thread - I will show a lot more plantings in the coming weeks.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Shaw on September 18, 2008, 04:38:55 PM
This is a wonderfully instructional thread, Ian, thank you.
I would like you to give a little more advice on colouring the concrete to come out in the brown, stone shade rather than cement grey!
We don't all have ready access to artists pigments or the skill to blend them in the way that you do. Further advice welcome, please.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: art600 on September 18, 2008, 05:03:31 PM
Arthur, I have not weighed a finished trough but I would guess empty it would weigh around 12-13kgs as I make 2 from a 25Kg bag of the motar mix.

Ian

My brain must have been on standby ...  :-[ ::) :-[
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 18, 2008, 06:50:59 PM
Not to fear Arthur it happens to all of us :-X

David, I will deal with the final finish and colouring in coming posts before I go on to the landscaping and planting.
 I will need to take some more detailed pictures of the process first and I  made some more troughs yesterday to allow me to do that.

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Linda_Foulis on September 22, 2008, 01:21:30 AM
Ian,
Will you also go over the consistency of the mix? 

Having become one with mortar mix over the past two summers, I learned the hard way what the mortar should feel like when it was ready to be used.  I would describe it as slightly dryer than a drop cookie mix, if that makes any sense.

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 23, 2008, 09:58:30 AM
Linda it is a good point about the consistency of the mix and as you say it comes with experience.
The best advice is to add water slowly to the mix and watch for the point where it stops falling apart and just starts to bind. At that stage if you take a handful, remember to wear gloves, and squeeze it lightly it should hold together when you release it.

Now for some more details about making the trough.

[attach=1]
The last stage before I finish building the trough sides is to make some cuts with a trowel often at the base or across a corner.

[attach=2]
I pick up the removed section on the trowel.

[attach=3]
Choose a suitable place on the side to add a ridge and hold the cement on the trowel there.

[attach=4]
Carefully rubbing with a finger will bond this addition to the side.

[attach=5]
Carefully remove the trowel.

[attach=6]
Then smooth the addition along the bottom to bond it and make any adjustments to the shape.

This method helps get a realistic look of a carved stone trough.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 23, 2008, 10:18:33 AM
Now a bit more detail on the weathering of the surface.
After leaving the trough to dry for a few days, or longer if the weather is cold and damp, you can start the next stage.

[attach=1]
Notice the grainy surface of the newly dry trough.

[attach=2]
I prefer it to look a bit more smooth and weathered like this.

[attach=3]
The trough should be hard enough to allow you to turn it upside down now so that you can further carve the bottom edge with a trowel, stone or other tool.

[attach=4]
Also it is at this stage that I use a wire brush circular strokes will remove the grainy surface and parallel strokes will create a series of scores like the strata in a rock.

[attach=5]
Rubbing and polishing the surface with a smooth stone at this stage also helps with the weathered effect.

[attach=6]
Here it is after polishing the higher areas with a stone.

[attach=7]
Rubbing hard with an old towel or other rag removes the surface dust and will leave a nice finish.

[attach=8]
Now we have reached the final stage before I add the colour wash.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on September 25, 2008, 10:09:50 AM
I have just realised I am signed in as Maggi!!

Now some details of how I colour the trough.
[attach=1]
Here is a selection of the powder pigments I mentioned. As an artist that works in many mediums I buy my colours as powder pigment and then I can mix it with what ever medium I require, gum Arabic for water colour, oils for painting and various print making, acrylic also for painting etc.
The colours I use for colouring the troughs are the earth colours that are made from stone such as ochre, umber and sienna. You could use the bright colours if you want a psychedelic effect 8)

[attach=2]
If you do not have powder pigments you can make your own by collecting different coloured earth and clay.

[attach=3]
Dry it out and pass it through a series of sieves until you have seperated the finest particles to use for colouring.

[attach=4]
If you can you can grind your colour in a mortar and pestle as the finer you can get the mix the better.

[attach=5]
Mix some 1 part cement with 2 parts of fine sand and add water to make a wet mix.

[attach=6]
Make a few small piles of pigments that vary slightly in tone and hue and wil give a subtle variation of colour.

[attach=8]
Start to cover a side with the cement mix.

[attach=7]
Now while the cement wash is still wet pick up some pigment on your brush.

[attach=9]
And with a stabbing motion work the pigment into the surface Do not make strokes with the brush as that will spoil the effect you are  after.

[attach=10]
The finished effect.


Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on September 25, 2008, 10:16:03 AM
[attach=1]
A final refinement is after the cement wash has dried bt before it has fully hardened rub the surface with a rag.

[attach=2]
A look at the finished trough.

[attach=3]
The other side.
These troughs are ready to be planted up after about two weeks in the summer but it may take longer for the cement to fully cure in the winter months.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: ChrisB on September 25, 2008, 01:35:02 PM
Is it my screen, or are these pictures really dark?  I can usually see any pictures posted to the forum, but somehow I can't see any detail in these pics.  I guess it will mean the sinks are much heavier than the old fish box ones, though they look, from what I can see of the pics, quite a lot more attractive.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: art600 on September 25, 2008, 02:19:14 PM
I fear it must be your screen.

I can see details on the troughs, but cannot see the added colours - I know I am pastel shade colour blind
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: mark smyth on September 25, 2008, 02:21:00 PM
Maybe I'll fly Ian in to make my new ones. His look great
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on September 25, 2008, 03:02:31 PM
They look over a hundred years old !!!  :o

Mark,
When Ian has finished yours - please book him a flight to Brussels... I'll collect him at the airport.  ;D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lenny on September 25, 2008, 06:41:41 PM
Another use for fish boxes ,the stone wall is hiding a filter tank for the pond,it is toped with 3 boxes painted to resemble stone.they are easily removed to access the tank.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lenny on September 25, 2008, 06:48:07 PM
picture of boxes
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on September 25, 2008, 06:58:18 PM
Another use for fish boxes ,the stone wall is hiding a filter tank for the pond,it is toped with 3 boxes painted to resemble stone.they are easily removed to access the tank.
Another instance of these handy troughs serving an extra purpose... you can do all sorts with 'em  8)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Slug Killer on October 10, 2008, 12:04:39 PM
Hi Ian, just to let you know I was inspired by your trough making posts and have given it ago. Hat to repair in a couple of places but I think its not bad for a first attempt. Can you tell me the best place to buy some colours from?
Regards

David
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on October 10, 2008, 12:11:31 PM
Wow! Dave, what a super trough!  Really nice look. Will get Ian to tell you about colours later  8)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: mark smyth on October 10, 2008, 02:22:24 PM
yeah and I'm jealous of how well it looks. Dyes can be bought from any DIY centre/store
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Luc Gilgemyn on October 10, 2008, 02:52:51 PM
Very good effort Dave !
It looks smashing !  :D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on October 11, 2008, 09:43:50 AM
Well done Dave that is a very good looking trough - and you set a glowing example to everyone to have a go.

I get my pigments from an Artists' supplier but they are expensive if you are just using a small amount.

You can get special colouring for cement at DIY stores but I would suggest that you improvise.
Use soot to get a darker tone and powdered chalk provides a lighter tone and that should give you a good effect.

The colouring stage is not essential as nature will eventually paint the surface as it ages but I just like playing around and want an aged effect from the start.

Who is next to follow Dave and show us their trough?
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: FrazerHenderson on October 13, 2008, 08:39:31 PM
Ian

Thanks for straying from bulbs to review Malcolm Macgregor's super-looking book on saxifrages. I am sorely tempted to buy both the book and try my hand at bonsai mountains in troughs. Incidentally as a Scot I was pleased to find out that the book is available new at nearly half-price  (£19) from The Book Depository (www.bookbutler.com (http://www.bookbutler.com) - just type in saxifrages when requested for title and then you'll be direct to the book and numerous suppliers. Buying the book from The Book Depository leaves cash available for plants from the wonderful Aberconwy Nurseries (where I'm off to tomorrow)!

Thanks again
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Katherine J on October 14, 2008, 07:35:53 AM
I must have a question.
When a house is built and the cement basement made, they wash it many days long to dry out slowly, because - as I have learnt - it will be only this way hard and long lasting. What about these troughs?
The second question  ;D:
I remember I've read somewhere about the normal hypertufa troughs that there must be kept water in them a few days (weeks?) long, to dissolve some movable Ca, which could harm the Ca not loving plants. What do you think about this, Ian?
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Ian Y on October 16, 2008, 06:16:47 PM
Kathrine
I do allow the troughs to dry slowly as I cover them from the full sun but because the cement layer is never very thick it dries and sets well in a few days. What you need to avoid is strong heat that dries the outside too quickly preventing the moisture from the inside escaping.

I would suggest leaving them for around a month to weather before planting them up and any harmfull salts should be washed away by then.

I have however planted them up in less than a week with no harmfulll effect to the plants which were not lime haters.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on December 09, 2008, 04:26:09 PM
Scrounged this old earthernware sink from our local tip and thought I would have a go (Ian style!) at making a trough garden for Porphyrion Saxifrages. I think Santa is bringing me a copy of Malcolm McGregor's new book-well I've dropped enough hints! The sink is about 10cm deep, will that be deep enough given that I can build parts of it up with stones (if I can scrounge some of those too!)


Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on December 09, 2008, 04:27:52 PM
Lovely sink for a trough, David.... bet Mrs N. was a bit worried in case you planned a kitchen re-fit for  her Christmas treat, eh?
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: mark smyth on December 09, 2008, 06:04:32 PM
10cm is OK. I know someone who made a stone sink from a shower tray. The 'soil' is heaped. I'll get a photo next time I'm visiting
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Slug Killer on December 09, 2008, 06:11:05 PM
Just watch your back as it will be even heavier when finished.

Good luck.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on December 09, 2008, 07:34:46 PM
She knows the limits of my DIY skills!!

Maybe Maureen could move the trough when I've finished it, she always says she's borne a heavy load these past 38 years :P

Thanks Mark.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lesley Cox on December 09, 2008, 08:45:18 PM
In theory anyway, I suppose one could put some kind of boxing in and around the sides and so build them up higher. Has anyone tried that?
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Shaw on December 12, 2008, 09:42:55 PM
David, lay the sink where you plan it to finish up and do any work on it there. It will weigh a 'ton' when it is finished.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: ian mcenery on December 13, 2008, 12:10:58 AM
David

A word of warning while I have never tried converting a Belfast sink I do know that you will need to coat the surface with UNIBOND to give the glazing a surface to which the mix will stick. I have even seen the use of chicken wire advocated for this. Many of these sinks I have seen have in time lost part of their coating and obviously don't look so good when this happens. Partly this seems to be due to that fact that only a relatively thin coat of hypertufa coating or mortar can be appied before the thing becomes overly clumpy. With that in mind when I was first wanting sinks and couldn't afford the real thing I cut out the middle man and made hypertufa troughs. These were made to Sid Lilley's recipe (a legendary grower of alpines who produced a booklet for the AGS on sinks  and troughs) I have his mix details and also the method of manufacture if you want it . These troughs are relatively easy to make and can be shaped as if cut from stone. Mine have lasted well and some are 30 years old now and now look like the real thing - or close enough. So if you want to change the shape of the sink, raise the sides, be able to lift this afterwards and be assured that the coating won't slowly disintegrate my advice would be to place the Belfast sink on a concrete surface and hit hard with a blunt instrument making it easier to get back to the scrap yard and then make your trough out of hypertufa

Hope this helps ;D

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on December 13, 2008, 12:25:48 PM
Ian you are probably right. Having lugged the sink from the tip into the car boot, and then from the boot into the garden, and then being accused (quite wrongly in my view!) of littering the garden with more junk, the idea was significantly better than the practicality of it. I shall return it to the tip in more pieces than it was obtained in, wait for better weather, and make a couple of hypertufa troughs. I have the AGS booklet as well as Ian's recipes, but thanks anyway. My problem is I can never miss a perceived bargain ;D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: ian mcenery on December 13, 2008, 01:56:57 PM
I know David I try not to miss a bargain but not all I have acquired have been useful. If you make your own do try to make it with heavier base and sides than is recommended I did and that is probably what makes them more robust. If the mix is hypertufa then it doesn't matter as the plants root into it. My original ones were almost solid but I trowelled the edges to make them appear thinner. Here is a picture of what I mean by finish and how well things have grown in a very shallow space. They have also had to put up with a lot of neglect re watering when I was more interested in other things like young kids and work. Here is a photo taken today. The conifer is Juniperus communis compressa and obviously likes this place it is now 3ft tall bigger than the ones in the scree and has quite clearly become part of the trough.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Diane Whitehead on December 13, 2008, 04:22:15 PM
David, now that you've got it, you can use it.
I keep an old porcelain sink under one of my garden taps. 
It is very handy for bottom-watering pots.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on December 13, 2008, 07:06:38 PM
Ian, thanks for those.

No, Diane back to the tip it must go I am under instructions!
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lvandelft on December 13, 2008, 07:21:52 PM
No, Diane back to the tip it must go I am under instructions!

Strange, just getting visions of Clive Swift when he has to..... :-\ ::) ;D

Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: ian mcenery on December 13, 2008, 10:27:56 PM
Ah she who must be obeyed  ;D ;D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on December 14, 2008, 10:14:31 AM
....... anything for a quiet life! ::)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: mark smyth on December 14, 2008, 04:20:20 PM
Is the back garden really cluttered? Doesnt she see the potentional of this sink covered in hypertufa, nicely planted and raised off the ground?
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: David Nicholson on December 14, 2008, 04:42:16 PM
1. Yes-the patio, which is the only flat place in the whole of the back garden, is currently littered by numerous bread trays full of seed pots, which, I'm told, could cause serious damage to life and limb,whilst the serious business of washing hanging out is being undertaken. Given that there are only two full time members of the household why it is necessary to wash clothes nearly every day somewhat defeats me ::)

2. Yes, but not this sink which seems to be the problem. Mark, were you a married man you would know when the time comes to give in gracefully ;D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Gerry Webster on December 14, 2008, 09:38:59 PM
I'd just like to echo Ian's advice. I cast some hypertufa troughs about 25 years ago & they still look good, indeed they improve with age. Making them is very easy.  Plants seem to like them  whereas they didn't like  troughs made from sand & cement. I've never coated a sink but have seen quite a lot where part of the coating has fallen off. Very ugly.
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: ChrisB on December 15, 2008, 11:36:27 AM
I have a couple of belfast sinks covered in hypertufa, and yes, corners sometimes get knocked off, so when I'm mixing the mix up anyway, I just patch them up, they look fine I reckon, and the patched bits soon blend in.  Do try to keep the sink, David, SWMBO will like it once you've got it fully covered and growing plants.  Can't you find somewhere else to store seed pots?  I can understand how she might not like them being littered around, but a lovely sink with flowering plants will be lovely.  Until you do find a place, what about putting some of the seed pots into the sink so they are a bit more hidden from view?  Hope you win..... ;D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on April 11, 2010, 07:26:46 PM
I've received this message from a new forumist, which I'm posting here for him.... it's from Bob Resch, who says:
"Newbie's First post:
This is my first post as a new member. I am not sure if I have done it correctly by sending to Ms. Young.
   I live in La Grange, Illinois, a southwestern suburb of Chicago, been a NARGS member for a couple of years and have visited your site over the last few months researching rock gardens and the related plants. Within that exercise I discovered how to make a trough from a poly box. It is much easier the hypertufa!
   My thank you to Chris Jones and Ian Young for the instructions to make a  planting trough out of a polystyrene box.
   Fish boxes are rare in the Chicago area but being a well trained childhood “junker” I was successful at finding a sturdy alternative from a neighbor’s cast-off.
   Work has begun; it is a messy business at best. I only hope Kay, my wife, does not venture into the darker recesses of our basement. I will be in seriously deep waters from what she finds.
   Progress is good and I expect to plant the trough later this spring. There may be time to do another before I am “caught” and forced to clean up my act.
   I am having trouble finding cement paint in small quantities and wonder if acrylic artist paint, which I understand is waterproof, would be a good substitute?
   Thanks for sharing the information, gentlemen.
Looking forward to an exciting learning experience.

Bob Resch-La Grange, Illinois-Zone 5a-"
[attach=1]
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on April 11, 2010, 07:33:30 PM
Great to have Bob join in the forum....and terrific to find another convert to the fish box trough!
But what help can we offer about the use of acrylic artist paint ?
I must say we have never used this .... having no problem in sourcing little sample pots of outdoor quality masonry paint for use on the troughs: on reflection, Ian and I think that it is worth trying the acrylic paint... it should certainly be wtaerproff but we don't know how long it may last on the trough: perhaps needing more frequent re-applications to keep it looking  good.... we think you'll need to give us updates on the situation, Bob, if you go ahead with it!
Since the Albertans and Minnesotans began their Fishbox demos from the SRGC method quite some years ago, the USA is getting quite used to the idea, we see!
Such fun!!
We'll be looking forward to photos, Bob!  8)
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Lesley Cox on April 11, 2010, 11:05:23 PM
Reading back through this thread, I'm wondering about the eventual fate of your sink David. Did it return to the tip? I really hope you put your foot down and kept it for something (Diane's idea was excellent). After all, a quiet life has nothing to recommend it unless you get your own way at least half the time. ;D
Title: Re: TROUGHS
Post by: Maggi Young on January 26, 2017, 02:05:07 PM
Jan Tholhuisjen  is really  good at sharing his  experiences with making things for the garden to keep his plants happy - now he has  turned his attention to  something else helpful for all - Jan   has made a great compilation of Ian Young's trough making articles - "With permission from Ian I have 5 blogs about the fish box troughs collected and put into an e-book. It is very interesting info, to see how to make this type of troughs and see the planted results. You can download the entire report in PDF.
Click on the page, on the bottom right for full screen."

Click here to see  the  e-book : https://issuu.com/jantholhuijsen/docs/the_fish_box_troughs (https://issuu.com/jantholhuijsen/docs/the_fish_box_troughs)

 Well done, Jan!  Exactly what is needed for  a wider audience to see all Ian's  trough advice in one easy place!

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