Advice on filling tall outdoor plant containers

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duetchkeky1 Oswego, IL Jun 03, 2015

I have 2 tall (2' high) black heavy duty plastic resin (?) containers I have on my front porch in sun (zone 5). I filled them 3/4 with empty plastic water bottles so didn't have to use all that dirt in the containers and make them so heavy.
Would like suggestions on what to place on top of the empty water bottles before I add the dirt? Burlap? I tried to find square pots (about 12 x 12) to fit inside but no luck on those.
Suggestions appreciated!

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missingrosie Hillsborough, NC(Zone 7b) Jun 03, 2015

Water bottles a great idea. I have used packing peanuts and the 4-6 onch diameter plastic drainage pipe ( the kind that can be attached to downspout to direct water) I fit in an old grate from a tabletop barbecue and then topped with landscape fabric. Not sure it was a great idea but it worked for our annuals.

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Jun 03, 2015

Weed mat is good, or filter fabric, over something stiff like hardware cloth, chicken wire or similar.

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WeeNel Ayrshire Scotland, United Kingdom Jun 03, 2015

I always do much the same as missingrosie except I smash up the white packing you get from electrical goods, same material as the white peanuts mentioned. I would be inclined to put around 8-12 inch deep then add the soil, make sure you mix the soil with humus and some blood / fish / bone mix ready packaged from garden store BUT, read and use the correct dosage recommended on PK.

Mix this well, maybe in wheelbarrow would help, anyway after you fill the containers, leave them with the soil only and allow the soil to settle down, large container can look very full then after planting you find you need to add more soil.

FORGOT to remind you to make drainage holes in the bottom of the containers before you start as it will be impossible to do it later. I use my husbands electric drill on the upside down containers but drill slow or you might crack the plastic, IF you can, hold a piece of wood inside the container where you want to drill and it gives support as you driil, hold the wood inside as you drill from outside.or vice versa.

You never mentioned what you wanted to plant in these containers, if it's shrubs, then feed the soil every spring, IF it's bedding plants, the feed I mentioned at the beginning will be more than enough for the season, IF more required, add a liquid feed when you do a watering at the stated dose.
You will require to keep the containers watered when required, again depending on the type of plants used, BUT never let the soil dry out too much as it is very difficult to get wetted again, ALL containers dry out quickly so always stick your finger into the soil to tell you IF it's dry or still damp.

Hope this also helps you out and you get a lovely display.
Kindest Regards.
WeeNel.

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