How to Fill a Patio Planter

Check the bottom of the patio planter to make sure it has drainage holes. Drill holes if necessary with the appropriate drill bit. Use a ceramic drill bit to drill terracotta, ceramic or clay pots. Use a wood bit for wooden planters. Three or four 1/4-inch holes in an 8- to 10-inch planter are sufficient.

Line the bottom of the planter with stones to improve drainage. You may also use broken ceramics or terracotta in place of the stones.

Fill the container three-fourths full of growing medium. Different commercial potting soils are designed to grow different types of plants. Purchase the type of soil to suit the plant you are cultivating. If the commercial potting soil does not contain fertilizers, add appropriate fertilizers, based on the plant.

Mix in a handful of compost with the growing medium.

Remove the plants from the growing containers. Arrange the tallest plants along the back of a rectangular planter or in the center of a round or square planter.

Fill in around the tallest plants with smaller plants. Place any trailing varieties along the perimeter of the planter. Rearrange the plants on top of the soil until you are pleased with the appearance. Remove the plants from the planter.

Scoop out a small amount of soil from the center of the planter. Plant the center plant in the opening. Fill in around the plant with growing medium. Continue to scoop out soil and place plants in the planter from the center outward. Fill in with growing medium to within 2 inches of the top rim of the planter so there is space to water.

Water the filled planter.