Annuals in large pots

alfharris8

I have some really large pots that I would like to fill with some annuals but the thought of how much compost they would take to fill is off putting for flowers that will only last a short while. 
Can I get away with filling the bottom well with crocks, does anyone have any tips or have I just got to stop being a skinflint and buy more compost.
Thanks. 

BenCotto

You can certainly do this. Scrounged polystyrene packaging is a good option. 

Terryann

I use polystyrene in bottom of big pots.  You could use anything I.e pop bottles with lids on, bricks, just something that takes up space and doesn’t block the holes in bottom 

alfharris8

Excellent,  thank you. 

debs64

I sometimes use plastic plant pots piled on top of each other if the pot is too big and the plant doesn’t need the root space. 

alfharris8

That's a good idea. I have lots.
Thank you. 

ERICS MUM

debs64 said:

I sometimes use plastic plant pots piled on top of each other if the pot is too big and the plant doesn’t need the root space. 

I do this too.  They keep the pot lighter too so I can lift it into place.

alfharris8

I think this is a brilliant idea 💡 

Blue Onion

I use milk jugs.. sometimes crushed a bit first to fit, then put the cap back on.  I've also filled the bottom half with yard soil from the garden, then the nice bagged compost on top.

Nanny Beach

Milk jugs, haha do you mean bottles! We had new PC, so lots of polystyrene, annuals only have small roots normally. Had not thought of pots,ta!

Fairygirl

I use old pots too, or even those containers that fruit or meat come in, with holes in them for drainage. I add a layer of landscape fabric, or something similar, over the top to stop all the compost washing through too much.
If you're using annuals that need a lot of moisture, old pieces of turf [if you have any] are good in the base to help retain moisture. Even some garden soil if you have any. I always do that with sweet peas, because even here, the foliage can prevent rainwater getting through well enough, and they need consistent, regular watering.