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terracotta pots
victor wright
Posts: 5
I have a very large terracotta pot that I have just empted I now want to replenish it with new soil/compost is there anything I can put with it to stop it completely drying out.
0
Posts
Water it?
You could line it with plastic, but to me that would do away with one of the huge advantages of using good terracotta pots, and that is that roots don't become easily waterlogged.
You could use some of those gel granules, but doubts have been expressed about them because of possible damage to the environment.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks so much I had thought about gel granules but had not thought about the environment so that is out.
I had also thought about multi purpose compost so I have changed my mind about that. it just goes to show its good to talk to people and to get good ideas.
You could try putting a large plastic pot inside the terracotta pot, getting the best (or worst) of both worlds.
With brand new pots you can give the inside a coat of PVA glue or acrylic varnish to reduce water absorption but, as with any pot, ceramic, plastic, wood or terracotta, you do actually have to water regularly. Leave an inch or two free at tht otp so you can pour on one good soak a week rather than daily dribbles. Much better for the plants and less work for you. Increase frequency in hot weather and reduce in cold weather.
Adding a mulch of gravel, grit, chipped bark or expanded clay pellets helps reduce water loos by evaporation.
The advantage with terra cotta is that, unlike plastic, it "breathes" which both helps keep soil (and roots) healthy and works against waterlogging. I wouldn't be doing anything to undermine that. If it means a bit more water, I water a bit more.
The thing about painting the inside of terracotta pots in more northern latitudes is that it gives some protection against frost damage. Damp terracotta pots flake or chip when frozen.
You can get terra cotta pots that are - so to speak - resistant to freezing. We use them here. Cost a bit more but worth it.
They don't work here I'm afraid but then it can get seriously cold. Glazed pottery is better but not foolproof for me. All but two go into shelter and the two that don't are in full sun - when there is any in winter - either side of the front door against a south facing wall so reasonably sheltered.