3 Great Tips for Container Gardening Drainage

Use Proper Planters for Container Gardening. Your choice of container will depend on three things: what you're growing (how large, how many), what type of drainage is needed, and aesthetics (how the pot looks). ...
Use Correct Soil Mixtures for Container Gardening. ...
Line the Planter.

How do you ensure good drainage in pots?
What do you put in the bottom of a planter for drainage?
How do you fix waterlogged soil?
Is one drainage hole enough?
Should you put rocks in bottom of planter?
Should you put rocks at the bottom of a planter?
What can I fill the bottom of a large planter with?
How do you add drainage to soil?
What can I put in my pots without drainage?

How do you ensure good drainage in pots?

The best way to ensure good drainage is to use a good-quality potting soil. Never use garden soil, because it's too dense for potting.

What do you put in the bottom of a planter for drainage?

planters

Plastic Bottles. Recycle your plastic bottles by using them at the bottom of your big containers. Your flowers and plants will love the extra breathing room inside. ...
Packing Peanuts. Reuse your Styrofoam packing peanuts as filler for large pots. ...
Wood Chips. Don't have enough of the previous two ingredients? ...
Landscape Rocks.

How do you fix waterlogged soil?

Strategies for Dealing with Water Logged Soils

Plant Cover Crops. Cover crops are an excellent way to use excess water. ...
Go No-Till. A more long term strategy, going no -till improves soil structure to help with drainage. ...
Add Organic Material. ...
Subsoil. ...
Build Raised Beds. ...
A Note About Sand.

Is one drainage hole enough?

Adequate drainage might be the single biggest factor in determining if container-grown plants live or die. ... However, if a container or the potting soil doesn't drain well, plants can drown or rot. All containers must have adequate drainage holes for excess water to drain.

Should you put rocks in bottom of planter?

In general, it's not necessary to put rocks in the bottom of plant pots. One rock to cover the drainage hole is enough – just enough so that the soil doesn't leach out of the bottom but water can flow freely through the pot. Putting rocks in plant pots doesn't aid drainage or improve air circulation.

Should you put rocks at the bottom of a planter?

A: For years, experts told gardeners to put a layer of gravel, pebbles, sand or broken pieces of pot in the bottom of the pot before potting up houseplants or outdoor plants. The idea was to improve drainage. But research shows that this advice is wrong. Water doesn't travel well from one medium to another.

What can I fill the bottom of a large planter with?

Lightweight Filler for Pots

Recycle Plastics. Plastic Water/Soda Bottles. ...
Reuse Packing Materials. ...
Unused Plastic Pots Turned Upside Down.
Recycled Crushed Cans.
Natural Materials. ...
Recycled Cardboard, Newspaper (Also for short term use only.)

How do you add drainage to soil?

Mix in Compost. If your poor drainage area is a relatively small one and not too severe, you can lighten the soil by working in lots of organic matter. ...
Grow Water-Loving Plants. ...
Build a Rain Garden. ...
Create a Bog Garden or Pond. ...
Install Drain Tile.

What can I put in my pots without drainage?

How to Use Pots with No Drainage Holes. Some experts suggest using a layer of pebbles as a sort of drainage layer in those pots without drainage holes. This technique allows excess water to flow into the space with the pebbles, away from the the soil and therefore the roots of your plant.