If you’re into container gardening, this video could be the most important one you watch all season! Your plants might be quietly drowning if your pots don’t have proper drainage. I’ll show you how to ensure adequate water flow and improve your plant care practices. This do it yourself guide will help you with drilling extra holes, preventing common watering plants mistakes, and keeping your potted plants healthy.
If you’re making this container gardening mistake, your plants don’t stand a chance – and it took me 30 years to figure it out.
I lost one of my favorite boxwoods because of a single drainage hole that was far too small for the pot. In this video, I’ll show you how to spot the problem, how to drill additional drainage holes in terracotta pots safely, and the “secret sauce” trick that keeps your drill bit cool and your pot in one piece.
Whether you’re senior gardening in containers or just getting started, this is the one fix that changes everything.
Mentioned in this video: https://youtu.be/dt-uuQoFbvY How to Grow in Containers
Diamond Drill Bit- https://amzn.to/4vbg4BR
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Chapters:
00:00 – 01:02 The Pot that died
01:02 – 01:59 Why this kills so many containers
01:59 – 03:05 How many holes do you need for large pots shown
03:05 – 05:04 Three things needed to drill drainage holes without cracking your pot
05:04 – 06:31 What I learned from 3 identical pots (success and failure)
#containerGardeningmistakes #seniorGardening #gardeningover60
This video is a DIY garden design video as part of my Garden Design series for gardeners over 60. Please subscribe if you love step-by-step DIY garden design.
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20 Comments
Leave me a comment: Have you ever lost a plant you couldn't explain? I'd love to know.
I remove the bottom of my pots and part bury them in the garden. I can’t dig the garden beds because of roots from trees and other plants make it impossible to dig a hole. Once the plants get settled in it usually covers the pot and no one realises the plants are not in the ground.
I have some pots set up like this in the garden especially for annuals and I can swap them around or plant new plants in them each year.
Thank you for this video. I was just going to plant my Meyer Lemon in a one hole terra cotta pot. I’m glad I watched the video first.
That bottle trick is so clever! I’m going to use that. I do put extra holes in my containers. I’ve lost plants to root rot before. Living in the PNW, we get lots of rain. Good drain is crucial. BTW, I received my apron and I love it, thank you!
Great idea! A makeshift wet-saw!
Fantastic video!! Thank you!
Great video, straight to the point and well filmed, nice and clear and valuable content. Well done.
Yes, yes, yes bigger and more holes. But if you set the pot directly on soil the holes can become plugged. So, I set mine on risers or bricks or anything that let water drain and the pot is stable so it will not tip over. Love the water bottle with hole idea better than a hose or bucket of water.
Hi Kathy ,just to say , I really am enjoying working in my garden , with my new apron ( thank you again ) it is stylish and so practical at the same time , I can pop my apron on , do half a hour of gardening, knowing my clothes won’t spoil , a bit of a game changer really .🪴
I don't have giant pots but often you can pick up attractive but less expensive pots that do not have holes in them. The diamond bit in a smaller size works great to make these able to do their job.
The plugs that are removed from the bottom of the pot can be reused as feet, just use epoxy glue to fit them to the underneath of the pot.
100% Agree! I always drill additional drainage holes especially in large pots.
Great idea, thanks for sharing
If you have a lawn which you dethatch you can save that sphagnum moss, use it to line hanging baskets, planters etc. I fill the bottom quarter of all my pots, large and small with this moss, it provides excellent drainage (providing you have enough drainage holes – as this fine Lady demonstrates), it also provides good oxygenation to the bottom of the pots.
I have a question… the one that you are drilling is a terracotta pot not glazed? So technically water should naturally seep through it so… I fully understand what you’re saying about the hole being too small. My question is the three at the back, would the paint prevent them from allowing water to natural seep through thr like an unglazed terracotta pot would or would the paint prevent that? … I hope I’m asking that correctly…
Great video! I'm a potter and I keep getting mixed information about drainage holes in planters. This definitely makes sense for outdoor plants. What's your opinion about indoor plants and planters? For my own houseplants, some are in planters that have drainage holes and others are not, and they are all doing fine. I have made some planters with drainage holes that come with a matching plate to put underneath. I've also made some without holes and it seems many people prefer those and like to put the original nursery pot inside. What's your opinion? What do you like for your indoor plants?
I always drill extra large holes in all my pots. And so the soils doesn’t leach out thru the larger holes I use netting or tulle on the holes inside the pots to keep the soil in the pot.
You don't need a diamond bit for terra cotta. You can use a carbide bit, much cheaper.
I'm not easily impressed but Kathy you have impressed me with this tip, been gardening for 55 years and never thought of this. Best wishes from Scotland.
The outdoor version of overwatering is small drainage holes.
To the garden with a drill I go….