Out of the 30 + large containers we was given, I have filled 12 so far. And I consider myself rather fortunate in that I’m not paying to fill them with dirt.
I’m using a technique called Hugelkultur. I have so much old wood laying around from old trees that it only makes sense to make use of it.
I start by placing a chunk of tree or other yard waste in the bottom and filling it about 3/4 of the way up with biodegradable waste. Then, topping it off with garden soil mix. There are drainage holes in the bottom.
Topped off with garden soil mix and plants.
It’s amazing just how much biodegradable waste you can scrounge up to fill larger containers up with once you start looking for it. I’ve read that there are things you should not add to your raised beds/ containers. But from my viewpoint, if it it’s biodegradable, it’s fair game. I would avoid waste from cats, but for me, everything else that will biodegrade and benefit the plants and soil are fair game.
I have read a lot of facebook posts where people are filling the bottom parts of their large containers with plastic bottles, bricks, or other trash.
This is in no way, shape, or form meant to bash on those who do so but to hopefully suggest another, more natural and, in my opinion, a better healthier way to reach the same end goal.
In my case I plan on growing many different types of plants in my containers and don’t want to expose them to any more plastic waste than I absolutely have to and I want the roots to be able to reach all the way down into the soil beneath if the plant sends them down that deep.
If you’re not already familiar with Hugelkultur, I highly recommend you at least look into it. You may find it’s what you needed to up your growing, and then you may not even want to try it. It’s completely up to you. But you may at least learn something, and there’s always value in that.
https://www.almanac.com/what-hugelkultur-ultimate-raised-bed
May all your ventures be met with success!
Slocum's Creak 