How to: Drainage for Hanging Planters

Flowering vegetable and fruit plants all need bright sun, rich nutrition and adequate space for growing. They also require loose soil for root growth and complete drainage. These needs don't disappear in potted growing, where contained growing situations can actually make drainage slower. If your hanging pots or planters don't have holes for drainage, create holes to protect the plants. Make the planting even friendlier with loose, quick-draining soil for nutrition and adequate moisture.

Drill
Newspaper/cloth/screen
Quick-draining potting soil
Organic compost
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Drill two to three 1/2-inch holes in the bottoms of the containers. These holes allow free drainage from the containers and keep plants from sitting in water at any time.
- 2
  Line the bottom of each pot with newspaper, mesh or fine cloth to keep soil from falling through the holes. This material won't inhibit the drainage.
- 3
  Mix quick-draining potting soil and organic compost in equal parts as your potting foundation. This mixture retains a loose, crumbly consistency for consistent drainage and air circulation, and gives plants gentle, long-term nutrition. Add 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer for vegetable plants and 5-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer for flowering plants.

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