Fillers Save Money While Making Pots Lighter
Big glazed terracotta pots look fantastic, but it takes a lot of
soil to fill them. Depending on the types of plants that are added, a
deep flowerpot is not always necessary. Some varieties are shallow
rooted and do not require significant depth. A great portion of the
space is essentially wasted. Why waste costly organic mixtures? You can
avoid the added expense by using one of these easy ways to conserve
soil. They are lightweight fillers and practical options. Best of all, a
large planter that would be too heavy to move will be much easier to
relocate. You can easily fill in a third or more of the space with a
soil alternative while providing plenty of drainage for all types of
plants.
Fill the Bottom with Foam Peanuts
Foam
peanuts are good for more than just packing fragile items. They make
fantastic fillers for big pots, and they work exceptionally well to
conserve valuable soil. Place packing peanuts in the bottom of the pot,
and top it with a rich organic mixture. Some of the soil will inevitably
end up in the bottom, but the foam pieces will take up a lot of room.
The foam will also allow excess water to drain away from roots. On the
downside, the peanuts will break down within a few years and will
eventually require replacement.
Place an Overturned Plastic Pot in the Planter
If you do not have packing peanuts, consider placing an overturned
plastic pot in the bottom of the planter. Top it with soil, and add
plants of your choice. The pot will create an empty space in an area
that would go unused anyway. Moisture will drain down the sides of the
overturned planter, and with proper care, the plants will grow and
thrive. However, after two or three years under damp heavy soil, the
small flowerpot will also break down and need to be replaced.
Partially Fill the Container with Lava Rock
Lava rock is lightweight compared to other stones. It is typically
used for landscaping purposes, and it is also used in some types of gas
grills to aide in heat disbursement and retention. It also works
exceptionally well to conserve soil in a large planter. Fill one third
of the pot with lava rocks before adding the dirt and plants. Excess
water will easily drain into the area beneath the rocks. Best of all,
the lava rock will not break down. It will continue to save space and
provide drainage for years to come. More about container gardening.
