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Ensuring pots can drain at this time of year

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Mine sit on gravel mostly, tucked in wherever is suitable. I use plastic trays from meat/fruit etc  to shift small pots around. They only hold a few but it's handy.
    I also use plastic troughs or similar to shove them in, but even with the rainfall we get, there isn't usually a problem if they're just left sitting near a wall. A trough with a layer of gravel on the bottom is good if you need to leave them in a windier site.
    I also put small pots [3 inch] in and under other planting - especially evergreen shrubs. That also prevents them being frozen for too long as well, which happens a lot.
    Troughs are good to prevent them being blown around too.  :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I should also say that this is why it's important to have a drainage layer in the bottom of pots. People have said crocks etc don't improve drainage but they do help to stop roots sitting in water in the winter.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • RubytooRubytoo Posts: 1,630
    If you are going to buy something especially for them, you can get those collapsible fold in/out storage crates, some have holes in already, but not all do. You have to check. There was some like a shopping basket size with holes in the base.

    I used a piece of plastic clematis mesh, the hard squared stuff folded or layered as I had some kicking round.
    It was a temporary measure when I realized a bunch of pots sitting on some slabs were not draining enough.
    Not ideal but it was enough to allow a little gap so there was no surface tension holding the water under the pots on a very flat area.
    And trying it under some small troughs I got to "hide" a drain cover.

    I am not sure yet if it helps enough to drain things properly.

    I have done what Fairygirl has suggested with pots being stood where they won't get wet, in rain shadow of a wall or under evergreen cover. But sometimes things get gathered.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Ive I’ve got a few of these, you can make them up singly or as you like,  when I go to the SM I pick up plastic trays that have had cream or yogurts in them, yours for the taking, that will keep the pots together then put the shelf unit somewhere sheltered. 
    I also have plastic covers to go over these shelf units, quite handy for very cold weather.
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Double-Pack-Flower-Staging-Display-Greenhouse-Racking-Shelving/201947098892?epid=13003304844&hash=item2f04fc2f0c:g:tiQAAOSwAHBZ808v
    And the frame and cover.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tomato-Greenhouse-Garden-Grow-Growhouse-Cold-Frame-with-Reinforced-Cover-Outdoor/173625803721?hash=item286ce783c9:g:a1UAAOSwufpb4Ts~
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    So I bought myself 4 "32 litre Under Bed Storage units" from B&M today.  Drilled holes in the bottom of each one and then threw down a bed of gravel.  Pots now in the clear storage units and on a bed of gravel.

    Job done!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Very good idea,  the lids will make a lovely mini greenhouse.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • guttiesgutties Posts: 224
    Lyn said:
    Very good idea,  the lids will make a lovely mini greenhouse.
    They would; only the Hesperantha coccinea 'Major' that means the lid won't close (at least on that box!)




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