Will Young's Containers

bjsmith5349

Great item last night on Gardener's World.  Do you need to put drainage holes in these large tin containers?  I want to give them a go for my courtyard garden.  Thank you.

Fairygirl

I don't watch it, but anything planted in a container needs drainage holes  

Obelixx

I use one of those old laundry basins to hold water down in the potager for dunking pots and plugs before planting out so yes, you definitely need drainage holes drilled in if it's for planting or they'll drown.

bjsmith5349

Thanks your your replies, I am new to container gardening so just wanted to check!  Now I want on old bath tub like Will!!

Fairygirl

As important as the drainage holes, is the medium you use to fill them. That will depend on what you want to plant.
Apologies if this was covered in the programme. 

JoeX

I haven’t used tin but iirc his containers were on a wall in shade.  Metal heats up more than terracotta and wood so you may need to think about that, where you place them and what you grow.  

They did look nice 🙂

Fairygirl

I've used metal containers for a long time, but I'm in a cooler part of the country so it isn't a huge problem.
I mainly use them for phormiums or bulbs in north or west-ish facing sites, but I also have them elsewhere at times. 

didyw

Loved those containers - but thought at the time they should have made it clear that drainage holes would need to be drilled.

bjsmith5349

Yes, they forget sometimes that their audience are complete novices!  Thank you all for your help, it's the first time I have used this forum....I'm sure I will be back!

Fire

Welcome @bjsmith5349 - I hope you will visit us again and ask your questions. 🌱

Fairygirl

Always good to ask the question @bjsmith5349. Saves making a lot of potentially expensive mistakes too 

If that wasn't made clear on the programme [re the drainage holes]  I think it's an example of what's going wrong with it, and why many people find it less appealing nowadays.