This is the base of a 16'x9' greenhouse under construction in our garden. The smaller enclosed brick 'box' (right hand side) is an internal bed that will have a heated (sub-soil) cable to warm the soil in early spring. Before filling it with the best soil we can find, would you favour putting a layer of smashed terracotta or other rubble in the base, to assist drainage? The bottom of the box is in direct communication with the underlying earth, but our soil is quite clay-rich, although not the extent that I'd expect the soil in the box would ever get truly waterlogged, especially as it is effectively 'indoors', and therefore watering will be largely artificial (watering can).
Any comments welcome.
by Similar_Recover9832
5 Comments
That’s a sweet setup. No idea how to solve your problem, just wanted to point out you’ve got a great scenic greenhouse set up. Looks peaceful
What a fabulous greenhouse! I would think you’d want to hugelkultr the bottom of that with logs and such for drainage and nutrients rather than broken up terra cotta.
Generally, plant containers do not need rubble in the bottom to increase drainage. The rubble reduces the depth of the container by creating a perched water table. Add soil similar to the earth, in general, and water will drain normally. This container is quite deep so drainage will be similar to the earth.
A few logs and branches would be a better option IMHO. You would be adding organic material that will eventually break down and it would act like a huglekulture bed.
I would be more worried about the bed drying out too fast, so a good layer of fine bark mulch will help to keep the bed moist.
I personally used logs and brush to fill the bottom of a raised bed in my greenhouse and it worked great. It did subside over time but this gave me opps to top dress with compost….