General discussion regarding the techniques and methods used to successfully grow tomato plants in containers.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: California
Posts: 12
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I'm a newbie. In the past, I've heard that 1) a layer of rocks at the bottom of containers is good for drainage and plant growth (my 18 gallon buckets do have drainage holes, however), and 2) ants and other critters do not like walking on white "dolostone." Should I put a 1 or 2 inch layer of white dolostone in the bottom of my containers to help drainage and repell insects? Will it screw up the ph of the planting mix at all?
Thanks, Dick |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Posts: 121
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I watched a video last week with a Master Gardener who says they have done studies and rocks in the bottom may actually slow drainage. If you use a good potting mix you shouldn't need to use rocks.
- Virtex |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 1,992
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Dick,
Virtex is correct! No rocks. All they do is take up space. If whatever you are using for your mix has the right balance between water retention and drainage you are good to go. If it doesn't, the rocks at the bottom aren't going to help. Can't answer the ant question with respect to dolostone. A sprinkling of spent coffee grounds works very well as ant repellent. |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: California
Posts: 12
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Many thanks! I'll leave the stones out and sprinkle the ground beneath the containers with old coffee grounds.
Dick |
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Tags |
ants , containers , rocks |
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