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What To Use To Fill The Bottom Of A Large Pot

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  1. Jason 24 Oct 2021 Reply

    I built some raised beds this spring, I'm in the upper midwest (NW Wi.) We had our first frost/freeze of 28deg. Even 26. I buried cleaned and filled with as hot of water as I could handle, hoping for sterilization. We have had 3 consecutive hard freezes and with a sheet over them, the dahlias (24), tomatoes (12) and a beds with 2 packs of state fair zinnia all 7′ or better. Longstory short, I simply dug up the gallon water jugs, emptied them, and filled with warm water each night. 6 total in a 4×6 bed. And the plants are only limp from the sheets laying on them.

  2. Carolyn Martin 13 Oct 2021 Reply

    Hi, I loved reading all your hints and tips. I have always used Styrofoam…and I use the foam egg cartons broken up and any other foam items, like the trays veggies and fruit come in from the store. I use really large pots and containers for planting my potted garden and using these "Foamies" saves on having to use too much soil. Also, I have lots of old screens and cut a piece of scree to lay on top of the "Foamies." Hope these tips are useful for someone. — Carolyn M…from Florida

    1. Great tips on some other useful materials, Carolyn. Thank you!

      1. Jason 26 Oct 2021

        Looking for resources, I found this page and did not need to search further. Thank you. Its a little extra work this time of year, and straying from the exact topic . But maybe applicable. I built and used raised tomatoe beds this year. 3 inches under the surface, I buried repurpose d distilled water gallon jugs verticle, filled with tap water. I take been 28degrees the past 3 nights, I pulled them up and replaced the water with very warm water each night, and reburied them. With a sheet over the tomatoes the loss was very minimal including outer leaves. I still an to vinecropen the last 8 burpees for seed atleast. Now this could be downsized to a 16oz beverage container with (pinholes) 20-30. Enough to seep the amount you need out on any side you have holes. Or leave the cap on to adjust the pressure inside the bottle. Happy trails.

  3. Ann 12 Sep 2021 Reply

    Thank you for all the advice on fillers. I have 3 huge pots and thought I had to fill with potting soil.

  4. jim 15 Jul 2021 Reply

    can i put small stones in the bottom of my pots before the soil

    1. Kim Smith 12 Aug 2021 Reply

      Jim,
      Yes! You should always put small stones on bottom of all pots, even if theres a drainage hole on the bottom of the pots already! And it's an absolute must if there isnt a hole! I do with every pot (hole or not! big or small!) You can never go wrong by doing so! With bigger pots, I personally use big & small stones ( or broken ceramic pieces!)but it's completely up to what you choose!- your already on the right track!

  5. John Z 14 Jun 2021 Reply

    Do I need to punch holes in the bottom of the urn and, if so, what keeps the soil from draining out?

    1. Hi John. This depends on a lot of factors, primarily the type of plant, also the environment it's in, the amount of water the plant needs, and the type of planter. The garden center or wherever you buy your plants would be able to recommend what kind of drainage is best for the plant. In my experience, it is always best to have good drainage, but I am not a plant expert. If this is for an indoor pot and you add the holes, you can use a tray or saucer underneath the pot so no water or dirt drains out onto the floor. Hope this helps!

  6. Danielle 13 Jun 2021 Reply

    I'm probably being a space cadet, but I don't understand how this works. Once you put in all all the milk cartons do you just put the dirt in or do you create a shelf of some kind on top before adding the dirt?

    1. I just put the dirt right on top of the containers and it fell through and filled in all the cracks. You could also put some gardening cloth on top, if the surface is flat enough, to keep the dirt from falling through. You do want to make sure the dirt layer on top of the cartons is deep enough to accommodate the plant's roots. Hope this helps!

  7. Anonymous 29 Apr 2021 Reply

    Can I use bubble wrap for my large planter?

    1. Anonymous 7 May 2021 Reply

  8. Anonymous 18 Apr 2021 Reply

    Are these plastics/styrofoam suggestions safe for containers that will be planted with vegetables?

  9. Jess 8 Apr 2021 Reply

    Hi, thank you for your post! What could i use on the bottom of a large clay pot that would still provide good drainage for planting succulents on top? Thanks!

    1. Hi Jess, I used plastic soda/water bottles because their irregular shape allowed for enough space in between for good drainage. I suppose if you use a mixture of different shaped plastic containers, that would work as well. Hope this helps!

    2. Anonymous 4 May 2021 Reply

      Yes I also need good drainage and I used packing popcorn and the water would come out brown and left the bottom of the pot soiled/stained.. thanks.

  10. CWS 6 Apr 2021 Reply

    Another idea: fill the space with a large, plastic cat litter container, either inverted or with the lid closed. That's what I'm using in my 2 huge planters!

    1. Yes, good idea! Those containers would fill a lot of space.

  11. Anonymous 22 Mar 2021 Reply

    Suggestions for a cover to hide to space around the smaller pot?

    1. I haven't tried this myself, but I bet you could cut a piece of cardboard to fit the gap then sprinkle some dirt over it. You'd just have to remember to try not to get it wet when watering the plant.

    2. Anonymous 4 May 2021 Reply

      I use balled up plastic bags, bubble wrap, etc. you can tape them with packing tape into any shape and size you want to fill in around the inverted pots. Once filled I use a cut to fit piece of landscape fabric to keep the soil on top of it all. It also makes re-potting easier later on.

  12. Judy Schwan 11 Mar 2021 Reply

    What is the best filler for a 32″ deep raised bed

    1. Hi Judy, generally the best pot fillers are whatever you have on hand. I like to use plastic jugs or bottles from my recycling. If you're not worried about weight, you could also use cinderblocks or bricks, or a lighter weight option would be upside-down used plastic plant pots. It really also depends on your preferences, what you have laying around, and how long it needs to last, or how sturdy you need it to be.

    2. Pat 14 Jun 2021 Reply

      Does there need to be a hole in the bottom? Or, will the water eventually evaporate?

      1. Hi Pat, generally it is best for the plant to have good drainage but your garden center or wherever you buy your plant would have the best advice for you. You can use a saucer or tray underneath the pot if you have a hole. If there is no hole, you would have to be careful not to overwater.

  13. Anonymous 8 Mar 2021 Reply

    When using plastic bottles, cap on or off?

    1. I personally keep them on so the air helps take up more space and they don't get crushed.

  14. Terry 2 Mar 2021 Reply

    Please advise what filler(s) to use in a new empty planter which 18 feet long, 3 feet broad and 2 feet deep?
    Thank you,
    papaleet

    1. Hi Terry, that is a very long planter! It really depends on what you plan to plant in it, but since you have a lot of space to fill, I would suggest using a larger filler like used plastic plant pots you can place upsidedown. Ask your local plant nursery if they have any old ones they need to get rid of. You could fill the cracks in between with any plastic bottles you have in your recycling.

  15. kmert 3 Sep 2020 Reply

    Hi Cheryl,

    I think that might be a moss pole, meant for the pathos to climb. If it is, it's your choice of aesthetics whether to remove it or not.

  16. Have a question in the middle of my pothos plant I have a stalk of this brown hay like stuff… Do I eventually remove that from my pot ???

    1. Hi Cheryl, your local garden store would probably know better, but if it's a dead stem I think you can cut it down to the soil.