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Re: [SG] hypertufa

To: Recipients of shadegardens digests <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
I garden in Zone 5.
I would never bury a trough.  One of the main purposes of using a trough is
to prevent the plants from sitting in water when the ground is thawed on the
surface but frozen underneath. The difference between hypertufa and concrete
is that hypertufa is porous.  Water and air flow freely through the sides of
the trough.  This allows plants to be grown that normally never have to
experience the soggy soil conditions that are present in most soils most of
the winter.  A large number of dryland plants are very hardy if they can
stay dry in the winter. For general protection I surround the trough area
with filled bags of leaves.  On the top, I place a framed lattice panel, the
one I use as a portable shade panel in the summer supported by cinder
blocks, to provide some shading and windblock.  When it really gets cold,
sub-zero F predicted, I put a double layer blanket of burlap on the top.
The burlap usually gets slightly wet from snow or sun melt.  This freezes
into a sealed crust that thaws out when it gets a little warmer allowing air
flow out  the trough areas.  This prevents excessive warming.  Most trough
plants do great this way.  For the zone 7-8 treasures, such as Raoulia &
Helichrysum, I have a large coldframe that sits down around the troughs.  Of
coarse this usually has to be done in horrible weather.  I work nights so at
least I don't have to try to do it in the dark.  The troughs themselves are
never damaged by the freeze thaw cycles that would damage concrete..  This
is assuming you use the usual scree type soil mix-not just clay soil or
peat.  The porosity of the trough is what allows for cooling in the summer.
It acts as an evaporative cooler.  Unlike the plants in the ground that get
soggy after a few days of overwatering in an attempt to cool the plants off,
the troughs are able to evaporate and drain away the excess water.
I've started a website, so far only pictures.
http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/vines/9701
Frank Cooper, central Illinois
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