This is a repost. The original thread has moved to the "Off Topic Forum" since the discussion drifted away from citrus.

Phillip

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Well, Joe got me motivated with his picture tutorials this week so I thought I’d photograph my wine barrel container makeover. The only difference is Joe’s tutorials involve a skill set that he has for grafting whereas my project doesn’t involve any intelligence or skill (and thus even I can do it ). Anyway, I just thought I’d share how I try to dress up my half wine barrels and protect them from the elements.

Most of the wine barrels I’ve purchased ended up on clearance and look awful. The wood is grey, stains, rust, etc are prevalent. Some might prefer that look and in many cases it looks fine in the right setting as shown below:


Fortunately I have a pressure washer that will typically take the barrel above and make it look like this:

I was lucky this time and Dixieline Lumber had half barrels that were in fantastic shape compared to what I normally get (I also paid $8 more this time since they weren’t on clearance). Personally, I like to get the half of the barrel that has the steel band on the bottom of it. I haven’t had problems with rust stains on my patio and I like the idea of the weight of the barrel, tree, and soil resting on metal instead of the wood. The only downside, is that I have a strict boycott of French products and I didn’t check the barrel before I bought it.

My second step after pressure washing is typically to remove any stains or stray marks on the barrel. I find that a wire brush works well. I also hit any rust on the steel rings with the brush too, but this is likely a mistake since I’m probably taking off the galvanization that prevents further rust.

I then drill a dozen holes or so in the bottom of the barrel for drainage.

I then spray the barrel down with a bleach solution on the exterior. I do this to lighten the wood to make it look more uniform. I also try to kill any mold left over from before I pressure washed it.

I also spray the interior with pruning seal to try to increase the longevity of the barrel and hopefully help prevent the wood from rotting.

After the bleach water is dried, I started masking the steel rings before I put the wood sealer on. I didn’t do this with my first barrel and thought I could just scrape of the wood sealer when I was done. Masking takes a lot less time!!!!

I use Behr Wood Sealant with a Red Tone. I use this on my fence and I’ll tell you the stuff is great. My fence went in at the same time as my neighbors and their fences are all grey and ugly (or rustic if that’s your look ). I’ve had to reapply it to my fence every few years, but I’ve never had to do the barrels other than a touch up here and there from kids scratching them.

I painted on the top half first:

Then the bottom:

And here’s the final product after peeling the tape off (in the rain tonight).


Anyway I ordered a new citrus tree that came into the nursery today, so my plan is to plant it into this using the CHC media. I’m going to try the pot-in-a-pot method since I’ve recently learned that I did a big “no no” planting my small trees into a large container like this.


If anyone else has other container ideas, I’d love to hear about them. I could use some variety besides the wine barrels. (Please no ideas like “toilets in the back yard with Buddha’s Hand growing out of it”. I’m sure it would be making a statement, but not the one I’m looking for. )

Phillip

I like the looks of your barrell. I had been thinking to use half of a plastic feed drum when my trees grew large enough to use something that big but yours looks really nice.

How many years do you think it will last the way you have prepped it?

.....Alan.

Phillip,

Great work! Very easy to follow. I have a tiny suggestion, not necessarily a good one for everyone, depends on how others would really use this pictorial. I would usually break this down 1 to 2 pictures per post. It is more work, but when it comes to printing, they usually come out great, like a book. A single post that contains all the pictures will usually print in very unpredictable ways. But if people use this strictly online, then there is no need to print it. When I do project, I usually don't have the computer with me, even the iPhone, so printed pages are great for me.

Joe

Hi Phillip,

Congratulation for the excellent work, Although living in France in Provence, It is difficult to find

barrels big enough for citrus, maybe they are left to the USA , so, three years ego, "I took my

courage in two hands" and made two containers like the traditional and much copied containers

of "Chateau de Versailles". I am rather proud of my work.
All the best.
Robert



and three years ago:

Three years later
But it's very nice anyway!

Merci Syvain pour la correction, on ne se relit jamais assez, en fait je voulais écrire:
Three years ago, and now !
See you later

Very nice Robert ! Do you have plans to build that ?

Thanks Phillip and Laaz,
Regrettably I have no plans; amateur joiner, I had simply wanted to make a try, But later I shall redo it in oak ( more resistant ), I have seen it's the best pattern of container citrus, for see the root growth, and every year to change a little part of soil.
It's time to go in bed room now in France.
Bye-bye

That square box is very nice!

Even a woodworking barbarian such as myself could make that, if not quite so fancy.

I like the way the sides come off. That would make it much easier to change out the media and lets you see the condition of the roots as well.

.....Alan.

Congratulations, both the barrel and the wood box is great.
I like how you add tires to move the container easily, I will consider it when I have enough courage to make one for myself.And I like how you can open the box to move the tree easily, as it is in Versailles.