best way to fill bottom of large pot.

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
mazmom Prescott, AZ(Zone 8a) Jun 04, 2015

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't find the answer using search. Can hay or pinecones be used to successfully fill the bottom of a large pot to take up space that otherwise would demand a large amount of potting soil? What else that's organic (not like packing peanuts) works?

Post #10087581
Quote
valal Natick, MA Jun 04, 2015

I would think Hay would mostly compress under the weight of the soil; but you could use some. I did see someone post and suggest that you use branches/twigs, that would decompose and add nutrients to the soil when it does; and I'd think Pinecones woudl be fine too, unless there is some alkalinitiy or acidity issue with the pine (I know pine needles add one or the other to the soil). I'mjust a wealth of knowledge, aren't I!? And SO specific!
Hope this helps.

Post #10087593
Quote
Pistil Lake Stevens, WA(Zone 8a) Jun 04, 2015

Pine cones sounds like a great idea-I vote you try it and let us know; ) I did the packing peanut thing a few times. It seems like a good idea until later when you have this mess of packing peanuts mixed in with the potting soil and have to dispose of it in the trash.

Post #10087596
Quote
mazmom Prescott, AZ(Zone 8a) Jun 04, 2015

I had the same experience with packing peanuts. I dump all the potting soil out of my pots each fall into a large pile and let it sit over the winter and use that the next spring for the bottom section of soil in big pots, adding new soil on the top half. One year I put packing peanuts at the very bottom, and when I emptied the pots in the fall I had a huge mess. A guy at the nursery says he uses empty beer cans on the bottom. I'm not sure about that one.

Post #10087611
Quote
tapla Bay City, MI(Zone 6a) Jun 05, 2015

Use something inert to avoid any of several issues that can arise from using organic material as ballast. Bricks paver stones. empty soda bottles with caps screwed on tight ..... Ballast, used correctly, can help eliminate problems associated with soils that have inherent water retention issues. Used incorrectly or choosing an inappropriate material can make matters worse. See third pic - first page and 'D' on second page.

Al

This message was edited Jun 11, 2015 8:53 PM

Thumbnail by tapla Thumbnail by tapla
Post #10088600
Quote
critterologist Frederick, MD(Zone 6b) Jun 07, 2015

Large chunks of styrofoam work well, and I like the plastic soda bottle idea -- both take up volume without adding weight. For containers with more of a "V" shape or for urns, I usually opt for a brick or two in the bottom for stability.

Post #10089674
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener Threads

Go to all Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener threads
BACK TO TOP