4 Tricks to Fill Large Flower Pots | Cost-Effective Alternatives
Are you wondering how to fill a large flower pots without draining your budget on excessive soil purchases? In this post, I'll reveal clever tricks to fill large pots while staying cost-effective.
With these ingenious large flower pot tips, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden without breaking the bank.
So, if you've been pondering the question, "How do you fill an oversized planter?"—I've got you covered!
This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode.
Tools and Materials Needed to Fill a Large Planter:
- Pinecones
- Straw or hay
- Recycled paper (e.g., old phone books, magazines)
- Rocks or bricks
- Pool noodles
- Pizza pan
- Soil
- Flowers or plants for planting
Prepare the Flower Pot
I chose to spray paint an old flower pot with Rust-Oleum’s "cement" to give the pot a new look. Spray paint the outside of the pot, including the upper lip and a little bit inside the edge. For an extra touch, consider adding a gingham ribbon to enhance your flower pot's appearance.
What can I use to fill the bottom of a large flower pot?
1. Pine Cones for Drainage and Decomposition
Large flower pots require a significant amount of soil to fill. To avoid excessive soil usage, use pinecones as a cost-effective solution. Arrange pinecones at the bottom of the pot, allowing for adequate drainage. Over time, these pinecones will decompose naturally, enriching the soil.
2. Straw, Hay, or Recycled Paper
To further fill the flower pot while maintaining good drainage, use straw, hay, or recycled paper. Place them inside the pot, filling it partway up.
These materials not only reduce the amount of soil needed but also offer excellent drainage properties, keeping your plants healthy.
3. Rocks or Bricks for Added Stability
For added stability and to create a solid base, consider incorporating rocks or bricks. Place them in the bottom half of the flower pot, ensuring they are evenly distributed. This additional weight at the base will help prevent the pot from tipping over, especially in windy conditions.
4. Pool Noodles for Efficient Soil Usage
If you prefer an alternative to heavy rocks or bricks, pool noodles offer a lightweight and cost-effective solution. Cut the pool noodles into small sections and arrange them inside the pot. This arrangement may require some adjustment to achieve the desired look. The pool noodles will help fill the pot while minimizing the amount of soil required.
Add a pizza pan to the top of the pool noodles to ensure proper drainage while keeping the soil contained. This way, water can drain around the outside edge of the pan, preventing waterlogging. Once the pizza pan is in place, add soil on top, creating a suitable planting surface for your flowers.
Decorate Your Garden With Planters
4 Clever Tricks to Fill Large Flower Pots
Now that you've discovered these ingenious tricks to fill a large planter, you can confidently tackle your gardening projects without worrying about overspending on soil. By incorporating affordable alternatives such as pinecones, straw, recycled paper, rocks, bricks, or pool noodles, you can create a thriving garden while staying within your budget.
Remember, the cheapest way to fill planters is by utilizing these clever hacks. So, go ahead and try them out in your own gardening endeavors. I'd love to hear about your experiences and any additional tips you may have!
Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
Happy planting!
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For a bigger pots I use crushed water bottles(with caps on after crushing) saves room plus pots are not as heavy with rocks etc.
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That is a great idea!! It's been so chilly here I haven't planted all my flowers yet, so I will try the plastic bottles and maybe the pool noodle chopped up. Thanks!
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I use the plastic containers my flowers come in. Crush them first.A good rule to follow when container planting is “Thrill, Spill, and Fill”. A single taller plant such as a Dracaena to Thrill (adds height), a vine to Spill over such as ivy or vinca (softens the edges) and then Fill in remaining space with flowers (for color and interest). Works everytime!
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Thank you for sharingI'd love to invite you to join me ...Chas' Blog - https://chascrazycreations.com/Chas' YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/chascrazycreations
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