stvfarmboy
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Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:44 pm
Location: Ames, IA; Hardiness Zone 5

Drainage Question

I am thinking about doing some container gardening next year. I have a pretty good amount of pea gravel that I plan to put in the bottom for drainage. Most of the drainage holes that I have seen on containers look like the pea gravel will be too small and will fall out of them.

My question is do I need to put a screen or something over the drain hole to keep the pea gravel from falling out or is this something that I probably won't even have to worry about?

Thanks,

Steven

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hendi_alex
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Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:58 am
Location: Central Sand Hills South Carolina

I always put a slightly curved piece of broken clay pot over the drain hole. This allows water to seep out but keeps the soil or small graven in.

cynthia_h
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Location: El Cerrito, CA

I'd recommend using fine-mesh hardware cloth near the drain holes for the containers.

Not only will it keep the contents IN, it will keep slugs, snails, and other creatures OUT.

Diatomaceous earth around the top perimeter of your soil will also keep snails etc. from crossing that surface to get at your plants.

Cynthia H.
USDA Zone 9, Sunset Zone 17

stvfarmboy
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Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:44 pm
Location: Ames, IA; Hardiness Zone 5

Thanks for the help guys.



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