Bulking the Bottom of Planters

februarysgirl

I've got 4 fairly large planters to plant up in about a months time and a while back on a gardening programme I can't recall, I remember someone putting a lighter material at the bottom (polystyrene I think) so it wasn't too heavy. I think it's also been mentioned on here in the past but I don't remember what people said they used. I don't have any polystyrene and the only lighter material I can really think of is straw. What have other people used when doing this?

pansyface

Bubble wrap?

BobTheGardener

Any objects which are lighter than soil and won't rot or contaminate the soil, so straw is out.  You could use plastic bottles with the lid screwed on, for example.

Buzzy2

I have used screwed up old plastic pots on this one, about six years ago!

BenCotto

Take note of the shape of the planter and the shape and wind resistance of what you’re growing in it. Speaking from experience here, these things matter if you (used to) have an expensive terracotta pot from Italian Terrace 🙁

AnniD

Good point about the weight @BenCotto .
I have heard of people using (empty) plastic water bottles.
Edited sorry, l see @BobTheGardener already suggested that 😊

Lizzie27

You can also use old knackered plastic plant pots or seed trays.

februarysgirl

Thanks for all the suggestions 🙂 I believe we have some bubble wrap hanging around. 

mikeymustard

As per @BenCotto I'd rather have some weight in my pots' bottoms