Drainage in containers

[Dyljoshmum]

I plan to stick most of my seeds in vegatable growing sacks. They are large (80 litres) and, I think, about 30cm deep. They only have two drainage holes in the bottom so I was wondering if I should do anything to help increase drainage. I vaguely remember reading about putting broken pots below the compost to help drainage, is that something worth trying or will it be ok as it is?

Thanks
Natalie

[salome2001]

Hi natalie
I cropped everything in containers last year as I knew a house move was coming. DEFINITELY improve the drainage- drill at least another 6 holes in the bottom of your pots, and do use crocks (or pebbles, or broken up bits of styrofoam) in the bottom to help drainage. I planted two courgettes in pots this year, one in a drainage-assisted pot and one without- the one without got waterlogged and rotted.
HTH

[salome2001]

(just realised I said "last year", must be thinking we're in 2012 already!)

[pauco]

Hi Natalie, as the last poster has said, make sure you have good drainage, then prop the sacks on some breeze blocks to lift them off the cold/freezing ground. They should then be ok.


paul.

[Newton]

I use old golf balls as crocks. They work brilliantly and are reusable year after year.

[Dyljoshmum]

Thanks for those replies. Paul, I am needing to lift them off the ground, purely because it's a rented property and I want to do the least amount of damage to the grass as possible, and I wasn't sure of the best way to achieve this, but breeze blocks do seem like a good idea. Will get started on making extra holes in the bags then.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Natalie, they sound like purpose made bags if this is so they should come with adequate drainage, also consider that making extra holes could weaken the bag.

We always used to use broken plant pots for 'crocks'. These were ideal for covering the drainage holes as they were curved giving an air space below the 'crock' and above the drainage hole. This prevented the compost/soil from blocking the hole and flooding the container.

Now I save polystyrene packaging and use that making sure I have the same air space below the 'crock'.

Hope this helps Colin

[Two_Sheds]

I plan to stick most of my seeds in vegatable growing sacks. They are large (80 litres)

Does this work for you? You might find it works better to sow into small pots (or modules) and then repot as the seedlings get bigger. Otherwise, the unused soil in a big container can go sour and "off", esp. if it's overwatered

I want to do the least amount of damage to the grass as possible

If the grass is shaded it will die anyway. You could always reseed the lawn before you move out?

[bramble]

I use polysterene simply because it is lighter than breeze blocks or "crocks" I would also go along with what 2 sheds said about starting the seeds off in smaller modules and ten potting tem on when they are bigger and stronger.
Good luck wit whatever you decide and perhaps you will let us know how you get on.

[Bagpuss]

Some garden centres give away pieces of crock from their broken pot stocks, always worth a look before smashing old plates or rooting around for pebbles. Good luck !
BP