Container Drainage Myth
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It’s long been touted that rock, bits of pottery, even oyster shells covering the bottom of a pot improves drainage. However, this method causes an opposite outcome. A shallow container holds more water per unit than a deeper one. Placing gravel or other non-absorbent media in the bottom of a container essentially makes the container shallower, and in return, drainage is compromised. The other problem with this method is that water does not move easily from a soil medium into a coarser material. If drainage is a problem in your containers, switch to high quality potting soils for your flowerpots. If that doesn’t solve the problem, add more perlite to the medium.
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Recommended container gardening books.
Debra Teachout-Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.
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