how practical are they? do they last for few years? i saw number half oak barrels that was used for jack daniel old no. 7. it was about $31 each. wasn't sure if they will be useful for figs. hmm.. jack flavored fig..

Pete,
I have two I use as decorative planters w annuals etc.
They are about 7 yrs old, probably should be retired but I think I'm gonna squeak one more season out of them.

Note: They are pretty heavy empty so anyone who does the fig shuffle might want to go with a lighter planter.

Pete,
I have a couple that I have use for years. I have not tried figs in them, they just dry out too fast here. They do last for years though, I think I got mine in 2003...

They are AWESOME. Use it, we have a lot at the winery. It's $20 bucks for me (the whole barrel) weighs about 80lb of solid oak. Just soak it with water every now and then. It will last about 8yrs :-)

yupe. they are very very heavy for planter. i was thinking more or putting on a spot for good. plant Nero 600M and Hardy Chicago which won't need to be in garage down here. drill some hole in the bottom and forget it. very tempting.. but with $60, i can get at about six 20 gal tubs..

these look very good but look expensive.
i wonder if we could get group price:
plastic barrel halfs

http://www.kentuckybarrels.com/barrelhalves.html

I had some that fell apart in 2 years.

i am thinking of bulk buying some pots but dont know which ones.

are rectangular pots easier to roout prune?
the roots grow to the sides and to root prune maybe its possible to just take of the ears and put new soil instead?
thanks

Pete...

For what it's worth...in my experience, they weather very poorly, eventually rot out after just a few years, and are not worth the bother.  I think if you want that "wine-barrel look", spend your money on the simulated wood, plastic versions of the half, wine barrel.  I bought a nice white version, with black "iron" bands...very decorative, and it will never rot.  Use a dolly when it needs to be moved, otherwise, plan on some hernias.

Good luck.

Frank

There are 2 type and I got one from Lowes just last week. The reason I got it is because it had the wrong price. The one I got was $17 bucks with my military discount. It's 26" in diameter and yeah that dude is heavy. I read on line not to drill holes in the bottom. But drill them on the side close to the bottom. I'm thinking about adding a liner in mine and hope to get at least 10 yrs out of it. Lowes had some other ones last year but they were smaller in width and depth. If I could get more for 17 bucks, I would buy more.

I have been using 2 half barrels for years know. No problem at all, I even put little steel castor wheels on them to make the shuffle a lot easier. Oh ya when I got the barrel they were used already. I like them because they don't heat up like black plastic pots. If I could get them for $20.00 I would cut them myself and use them. Frank  

This is why I jumped on those pond tubs at Lowes for $5 each, nice heavy uv safe plastic and about the same dimensions of a whiskey barrel

Back in the '80's I went down to western NC and bought a bunch of oak barrels from a distillery down there. They were very cheap. I brought them home and asked the carpenters who were helping to build my aviary to cut them in half. Well they were still very infused with bourbon and my guys got completely toasted from the fumes. It was pretty funny. I had 3 sleeping carpenters on the lawn. Once we finally got them cut and washed out they held up pretty well for the next 6 years. I sold the farm and don't know what happened to them but they were still in pretty good shape when I left. They were made out of white oak.

I use them for my blueberries, they look great and don't bake like black plastic. I've had mine for 3 years and they are still in very good condition. If you leave them empty/un-watered for long periods of time they can dry up/crack/split fall apart. Happens quickly out here in CA. If you've got moist soil inside of them it helps keep the wood moist and it will last longer. FYI if you are in CA you can get good deals on them on CL, many wineries out here. 

Saw the 1/2 barrels for sale at Home Depot in my area...$39...and they looked pretty ratty...would take some work to make them look presentable in your yard or garden.

My Dad used these for years,
Here is the trick to make them last for a very long time,
Paint the inside with waterproof paint to seal the wood.
Yes they are very heavy to move!!!

For me,
they are great for perennial ornamentals and peppers. Last year I tried to grow potatoes in one, it didn't work. It had perched water and kept killing the plants. In the fall I harvested 3 seed potatoes smaller than what I started with. I am going to try again next year, I will drill more holes and use some nylon ropes to wick out the perched water table.

I think the perennials do good because they are above the water table. Versus the potatoes which started on bottom and the soil was added as the plant grows, they had nowhere to get air.

I had some old barrels and cut them in half. They were used for flowers and lasted for many years.
To use them for fig trees would be good, IF and only IF:

• You could put them on a platform with wheels to move them in and out of your garage,
• You lived in a zone where you could leave them outside year round,
• You are a weight lifter who enjoys a good workout doing the fig shuffle carrying them up and down a few steps come Spring time ;-)

Years ago, we had several oak barrels that fit with the nature of our landscape theme.    Main reasoning of choice was portability.   We had, and still have several unique and valuable sago palms, knew we would be moving within five years and want to take sago’s with us.

The barrels lasted for easily ten plus years in our climate, Southern CA.   Basically, by the time we settled in new home and could plant sago’s in the ground, the barrels had served their purpose and we had no further use for them.   Think a neighbor adopted them at that point and got several more years use.

Think the secret, if you are going to move it regularly, is to invest in a good hand dolly (rubber tired, inflatable) and support strap for transport.  Also, drill many large (1/2’) drain holes at low spot in barrel (that’s around the outside edge usually) and don’t keep it soaking wet.  Or, well-draining medium at very least!    Sealing can be difficult to accomplish due to charred interior, if I remember right. 

I wouldn’t hesitate to use again, they do look cool.    Best of luck …….

I have read that they trouble with rot and that synthetic barrels are a much better investment over the long haul.  I have no personal experience though either way.

To me, they're not worth the trouble.  After a few years you have to deal with them.  The 12 I had looked great at first, but now I'm dealing with their ugly side....

I have some that I bought in Houston TX in 1983. One fell apart this year and one looks OK. They are rustic looking for sure. The secret is to not let them dry out. If they dry the wood shrinks the rings get loose and fall down. If that happens you can put them gently in a pool and the wood will rehydrate but you must position them carefully. They hold a good bit of potting soil.