Container Gardening

Around the Gardens, if I can drill a drainage hole in the bottom and put soil in it, it can become a planter.  "It" can be anything from cowboy boots to jello molds.  I love letting the creative juices flow to make interesting planters for succulents, houseplants and flowers.  Containers for vegetable and herb plants, however, have additional requirements.

When it comes to plants for human consumption, I'm picky about the container.  I want containers that do not leach harmful chemicals or toxins into the potting soil.  Based upon my research and experience, I use the following for vegetable and herb plants:

• Unglazed teracotta made with natural materials, not synthetic materials such as polymer;
• Plastic containers made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE - 2);
• Plastic containers made with polypropylene (PP - 5); and
• Root pouches made with recycled polyethylene terephthalate and cotton fibers.

Unglazed Teracotta

Unglazed terracotta, hands down, is the best container for growing almost any type of plant.  It's porous, allowing excess moisture to seep out and air to enter the root zone, minimizing soil disease and root rot.  Unglazed terracotta does not leech chemicals or toxins as it's made with natural materials, and has been used for thousands of years to store food and water safely.  Unglazed terracotta may be cleaned and disinfected to be reused over and over again.  I would use unglazed terracotta for everything but large terracotta pots are too heavy for me to maneuver.  The large pots used at the Gardens are made of lighter-weight materials.

High-density Polyethylene (HDPE - 2)

For large pots I prefer containers made of HDPE.  HDPE holds up under exposure to sunlight and the extremes of heating or freezing.  HDPE is used to make picnic tables, plastic lumber and many of the plastic flower pots found in stores.  These containers may be used for several years before they begin to degrade.   

NOTE:  To determine the type of plastic, look for the triangle with a number in the center of the triangle.  It is typically stamped on the bottom of the planter.

Polypropylene (PP - 5)

My second choice for large pots is a five-gallon bucket made with PP.  PP is not as durable as HDPE, however, it has excellent heat-resistance qualities.  These containers may be used for a couple of years before they begin to degrade.

Root Pouches

My third choice for large pots is a root pouch made of a fiber blend.  Recycled polyethylene terephthalate is melted down and spun into fibers mixed with cotton fibers to make the material for the pouches.  These pouches are safe to use for three to five years before they begin to degrade.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share and thank you for visiting.