NYC Container Garden Drainage

Gardening in NYC often involves planting in containers. Fiberglass pots, wooden planters, and terracotta vases can all be used successfully, but it's crucial to ensure proper drainage. Many container gardens are not properly prepared with drainage systems, and over time, water struggles to exit the container as intended. Without sufficient drainage, your garden is at risk. Without proper drainage, container gardens can become full of water and root rot can occur. Often time plants will begin to wilt which can be an early sign something is wrong. The drainage problem often starts at the bottom and gradually spreads, as water has nowhere else to go. Left untreated, the entire container can fill with stagnant water and dense mud. Water may pool and spill over the sides of the container. Proper drainage is essential for successful container gardening, especially when planting above ground.

How to Install Drainage in a Pot or Planter Box in NYC?

Metropolitan Garden Design always includes proper drainage when planting in containers. Some planters are designed to sit directly on the outdoor surface, and some may need to be elevated with plastic spacers. You always want a little space underneath the container so that water can flow freely.

Step 1: The firsts step to consider is to make sure your planter or pot has holes in the bottom. If there no holes, you should drill some half inch holes. A regular drill bit can be used for fiberglass while a masonry bit should be used for ceramic. For a planter that is about 3 feet long by 2 foot wide, 2 or 3 drainage holes should be enough.

Step 2: The next step is the place your pot and planter in their position on your outdoor space. You want to make sure they're elevated either with the existing spacers or a rubber pedestal.

Step 3: Once the containers are in place you want to add your gravel. Metropolitan Garden Design usually adds about 2 to 3 inches of crushed gravel. Using a 3/4-inch stone will allow it to stay inside the pot and not fall through the bottom holes. If you're worried about the gravel falling out, you can place a piece of filter fabric over the holes.

Step 4: Now that the stone is in the bottom the container, you want to cut your filter fabric so that it fits over the crushed stone. Make sure the stone is fully covered so that no soil can get through. The filter fabric can come up a few inches so that theirs a nest for the potting soil to be placed in.  

Step 5: The last step is to fill your container with potting soil. No soil should come through the fabric and your plants should have a long life ahead of them. You can plant your plants how you usually would adding fertilize and mulch as needed .

Drainage is very important for a your NYC container garden.

Feel free to contact Metropolitan Garden Design if you need assistance planting your container garden or addressing drainage issues.