Container Gardening Complete

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

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700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 159 6/5/17 3:05 PM

STEP 1 Position the two bicycle rims on the ground,

one above the other, and measure the total height.

Add this to the height of the container; this combined

measurement will be the length of the conduit stake

you need to cut.

STEP 2 Cut the conduit pipe to the desired length with

a copper tube cutter or a hacksaw.

STEP 3 Fill the container most of the way with the

50/50 potting soil and compost blend, then insert the

piece of EMT conduit into the center. Fill the rest of the

container with the soil mix until it’s within an inch of

the pot’s rim.

HOW TO MAKE A BIKE-RIM SWEET POTATO TRELLIS

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STEP 4 Use aluminum hobby wire to secure the bike

rims to the conduit stake, one above the other. If your

bike rims are two different sizes, use the larger one on

the bottom. Wrap the wire securely to hold the rims in

place on the conduit stake, and to one another.

If you want to add a splash of color, paint the rims

and conduit pole before continuing.

STEP 5 Plant 3 to 6 sweet potato plants or slips in the

container, depending on the size of the pot. Water

them well.

STEP 6 As the vines grow, weave them between the

spokes. To keep the container from toppling over, do

not place the container in an area with high winds, and

make sure the plants receive at least 6 to 8 hours of

full sun per day.

STEP 7 The sweet potatoes are ready to harvest as

soon as the leaves begin to yellow, but the longer you

leave them in the ground, the better. Just remember

to dig them up immediately if the vines get blackened

by a frost. Store the dug tubers in a warm room (80°

to 90°F) for 8 to 10 days to cure them and sweeten the

flavor. After the curing period passes, move the tubers

to a cool location, such as a basement or root cellar,

where temperatures are between 50° and 60°F.

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

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