What can I put as drainage for my copper container gardening?

Mary
by Mary
I have a large copper container that I plan to use on my patio. What can I put in the bottom to help with drainage and also won't make it so heavy? It's rather large... thanks.

  6 answers
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Apr 02, 2017

    packing peanuts

    can buy big bag at staples/fedex

  • Mae12874257 Mae12874257 on Apr 02, 2017

    You can use rocks and/or packaging peanuts. They won't really soak up any water and will allow for drainage.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Apr 03, 2017

    Packaging peanuts are a great option!

  • Carey Carey on Apr 03, 2017

    A caution, I did use packing peanuts in the bottom of a planter that I didn't want to be real heavy. They posed a major problem in that since they were lighter than the soil, when the pot was watered, they floated to the top. A better solution might be to put some hardware cloth between the peanuts and the soil. That way the water will have good access to the soil, and the soil should hold the wire seperator in place when the pot is watered. They definitely allow the pot to be lighter. You also have to be careful NOT to over water. I ended up putting a hole in the side of the pot (it was being watered by the sprinklers every time we watered the lawn.) just at the level of the peanuts to that there was drainage. The soil still got watered but not overly so.

  • Touchedpainter Touchedpainter on Apr 05, 2017

    Hope it is not copper on the inside, copper is poisonous to most plants.

  • Merrill M Merrill M on Apr 05, 2017

    Forget the packing peanuts unless you put them in a net bag (like you sometimes can find onions or potatoes in). Otherwise it will be a nightmare to clean them out of the soil when you empty the pot. Instead, use smaller plastic pots upside down in the larger pot. They take up space but don't add weight or inhibit drainage.