Has anyone tried this pot? Smart Barrelz  This looks like a good pot to keep fig in container, and it last for long time.  

Thats what Bill from Bills figs in N.J. uses.  They look good but are not inexpensive.

Thanks.  It looks a little bit different than those in Bill's picture.  Is that just different version?  What are the other economic options for big containers Other than black plastic nursery pots?    

Scott, I purchased one of these a while back:

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/marchioro-235-in-round-planter-pot-terra-cotta-360230.html#.UQnWpeiGmPA

They are not cheap.  Another option is to get a plastic soda/food grade barrel of the type that are used as rain barrels and cut them in half to make two planters.  These can usually be obtained quite cheaply.  It's not as stylish but you can paint them.  I'm planning on doing with a barrel I've been storing in my garage.

Steve

Rewton yup those are thick and heavy plastic type pots bought the last 4 of them at HD few years back and like them .

Bill definitely uses those. He gets them without the metal straps. I have several from Bill and ordered another 20 from Home Depot. They are nice but are very heavy and $50 each.

Jason, I was hoping it would be lighter.  When you get a chance, could you post a some picture of how you set it up?  Thanks.

Martin, that looks like a happy tree. What kind of fig is that in the pot in front?

Sure, I'll take some pics tomorrow. Several are self watering and the rest just have drain holes. They are made of recycled milk jugs and are pretty heavy duty. My gripes are:
They are heavy
They will mark up your patio if you drag them

But I do like them. They haven't failed yet unlike some of my other large pots.

Nice looking containers, but expensive.  I bought a white plastic version of a half-wine barrel with black "iron" bands which were also made out of plastic.  I had to drill out some drainage holes in the bottom, and the whole setup cost me $45.00 ... on sale.  Great for a patio tree, but mount the container on a dolly.

Scott....a cheaper alternative:  Use the deep, rectangular, plastic storage tubs that are sold in any Home Depot/Lowe's-type stores.  For less than $10.00 you can get a tub holding around 18 gallons of growing medium/soil.  Just drill/melt holes in the bottom-sides of the tubs and you are good to go.  There are also large, round, plastic "pots" that I see all over, that have rope handles which look more like a conventional pot, but they usually come in bright, gaudy, colors.

The tubs, because they have straight top edges, can be placed very close to one another without losing too much room.  They make nice neat rows if you have a good number of trees.  They are relatively easy to lift from the handles molded into the sides, too.

Hope this idea might help.


Frank

I saw these 25" plastic wiskey barrel planters at the local TSC Store. They are regularly $40 but were on clearance last fall for $19. I think I will keep an eye out next year for them.

Caution: Avoid reading forum late at night.  I dreamed about these silly Smart Barrelz last night (maybe it's because I'm running a fever?).  I saw them (in my dream) at Home Depot for $61.99. Doubtful, but it might be a sign of price increases on the horizon! LOL

The goal here is to find a pot that will last 20years.  The Smart Barrelz supposely are being sold in Lowes home improvement.  But I've called everyone within a 50mile radius of me and noone has heard of them!  Those plastic whiskey barrels are just not deep enough for my requirements. 

I want something like what Bill has for about 45 bucks or less.  I need 200!  I'm turning them into self watering containers using the Bill method.

I got half barrels of 55 gallon drums for about $7 each delivered. Very sturdy and they would work fine for self watering containers. Walmart also has large self watering containers already made. You don't have to convert them either. I've used it for several years and pot is like new but definitely not as heavy or sturdy looking as the smart barrelz. Costco had some really nice big ones that looked like stone but were plastic , and not too expensive.

Dennis ,
Did you call the company directly yet about the Smart Barrelz aka Better Barrelz ?
If you want 200  , you may be able piggy back on a restocking order being sent somewhere else down your way.
Perhaps a good garden center in your area would have interest in sharing a truck load. Or maybe one of the NC Lowe's stores listed on the "where to buy" page of the Smart Barrelz website.
They are sturdier than anything else I have seen and I used them to make The Bills Figs sub-irrigated containers for my parents in Fla.
Up here I used the same idea , but used the Smart Pots that the same company no longer makes. 

Here are your pictures.

Great pictures.  Thanks.

I have never thought HomeDepot or Lowes would carry those nice good containers.  Look like there are few other options I should check out.  Thanks everyone!  

I ordered them online a few years ago. Over $300 usually gets free shipping.

Kerry, I called and left messages yesterday and no response yet.

Jason, I like those! How much did you pay for them? If I can get those for $20 bucks them I'll get a couple of hundred.

I paid retail $45 each but free shipping. I know if you are buying lots of them you can get a deal from the company but you have to pick them up. They are in Mass. I think. Lukeott and I were talking about it last season. Maybe he will chime in or you can PM him, he had the pricing which is less than half I think.

Just found another large containers: 

http://www.godawn.com/category/self-watering-planters.htm

http://www.bigplanters.com/category/self-watering.htm

Very nice pots Skot  but not cheap.