Watch the video, How to Use Stock Tanks as Planters, on YouTube.

What’s a stock tank? Why am I using them in my garden? Find out in this homestead hangout!

Why Raised Beds?

Raised beds a great choice for gardens everywhere. In my case, they help me avoid the very rocky ground where I live. They also allow me to grow a garden close to my septic mound.

Why Stock Tanks?

Stock tanks are typically used as water tanks for livestock animals, hence the stock-tank term. We purchased these at an agricultural supply store. I went with stock tanks because I like the way they look, and since this garden is right out in front of my house, it needs to look nice year-round. We considered building wood beds, but we live in a very wet climate, and think the metal tanks will last longer. I’ve got 13, 2x4x2 tanks, so I also saved time by not having to build them.

The Modifications

To customize these tanks for our use we did a few things:

• On the outside, we added 2” of a copper tape. This looks nice but more importantly prohibits slugs.

• Inside, we added 4” of drainage rock to the bottom of each tank. Then slightly unscrewed the plugs. This will help hold some water, which will encourage deep rooting of the plants and reduce the frequency of watering.

• On top of the rock we put a layer of ground cloth to separate the soil and rock.

• Inside each bed we put 4 PVC pipes, attached to the inside with pipe strap and potable-water-safe epoxy. These build in some versatility: we can pour water into them or add hoops. The hoops can be covered with agricultural cloth to extend the season, plastic to act as greenhouses, or netting to prevent birds from entering.

Do you have raised garden beds?