I’m going to cut some plastic barrels in half to make large planters – Should I drill holes on the side like 2 inches up to keep a water reserve?
I’m going to cut some plastic barrels in half to make large planters – Should I drill holes on the side like 2 inches up to keep a water reserve?
by Avocadosandtomatoes
6 Comments
Avocadosandtomatoes
I live in Florida. Super hot in the summer.
I’m thinking to drill holes like two or 3 inches up from the bottom to allow a water reserve to sit so the soil can wick up moisture.
Do you think this will cause future issues with root rot?
nodiggitydogs
It does in pots with no holes in the bottom..same idea..water pooled at bottom…I can’t be for sure tho..do a side by side comparison
squeaki
You can always drill more holes if you need to, to allow water out. Gravel or stones in the base perhaps? Then you know you’re not gonna just get blocked up with soil where you want it draining.
I always did holes in the sides and bottom of oak barrels I build for my driveway. Seems to hold enough water over time – large surface area up top (although planted up) however so a lot of evaporation and transpiration drying it out that way too.
Just try it and see, it’ll be fine. Add grit to the soil if you want better drainage to lower parts, or add perlite or vermiculite to the compost to retain moisture for longer. Shaded spot in summer might help with overheating the roots and plants, those barrels can get pretty warm in direct sun.
Let us know what you try out!
I don’t have a better pic of the ones I did, but there are about 8x 5mm holes in a circle in the base, and about 10 or 15 about 20mm in the sides, about 25mm up from where the base meets the sides.
Edit: in smaller pots I once did I put a tube down to the bottom of the pot, tucked in along the side. This let me water the roots/base without ruining the white stones I had on top for decor.
HorizontalBob
You may want to look at what you’re planting. Almost everything I plant says well draining.
therealdillpick
Yes! Well not quite, but very close. You can turn this barrel into a self-irrigated planter. Gives you a water reserve so it doesn’t need to be watered as often, and takes up space so you don’t need as much soil and so saves you money. Here is a [video showing the basics](https://youtu.be/CXyV-XsQWNE?si=k73KhANKfXeqSEyh) but if you search SIP or self irrigated on YouTube you can find other videos.
6 Comments
I live in Florida. Super hot in the summer.
I’m thinking to drill holes like two or 3 inches up from the bottom to allow a water reserve to sit so the soil can wick up moisture.
Do you think this will cause future issues with root rot?
It does in pots with no holes in the bottom..same idea..water pooled at bottom…I can’t be for sure tho..do a side by side comparison
You can always drill more holes if you need to, to allow water out. Gravel or stones in the base perhaps? Then you know you’re not gonna just get blocked up with soil where you want it draining.
I always did holes in the sides and bottom of oak barrels I build for my driveway. Seems to hold enough water over time – large surface area up top (although planted up) however so a lot of evaporation and transpiration drying it out that way too.
Just try it and see, it’ll be fine. Add grit to the soil if you want better drainage to lower parts, or add perlite or vermiculite to the compost to retain moisture for longer. Shaded spot in summer might help with overheating the roots and plants, those barrels can get pretty warm in direct sun.
Let us know what you try out!
I don’t have a better pic of the ones I did, but there are about 8x 5mm holes in a circle in the base, and about 10 or 15 about 20mm in the sides, about 25mm up from where the base meets the sides.
Edit: in smaller pots I once did I put a tube down to the bottom of the pot, tucked in along the side. This let me water the roots/base without ruining the white stones I had on top for decor.
You may want to look at what you’re planting. Almost everything I plant says well draining.
Yes! Well not quite, but very close. You can turn this barrel into a self-irrigated planter. Gives you a water reserve so it doesn’t need to be watered as often, and takes up space so you don’t need as much soil and so saves you money. Here is a [video showing the basics](https://youtu.be/CXyV-XsQWNE?si=k73KhANKfXeqSEyh) but if you search SIP or self irrigated on YouTube you can find other videos.
Where get? Ape need.