Which grow bag do you use - Pros and Cons

greenthumbomaha · April 29, 2012

Most local shops haven't started carrying grow bags, so shopping online is the only way. My search has come up with the following choices:

Viagrow aeration pots - Home depot

Hydrofarm Dirt Bags - Amazon

Smart Pots - Amazon

All the above are sold in bundles of at least 5, much cheaper than purchasing singly.

In another post on this subject, vinyl grow bags were being used with good results and are cheaper than the above felt type products. I live in a hot humid area , so not sure if the vinyl material would be a good choice.

ExpendableZero · April 29, 2012

I'm trying out the disposable plastic grow bags this year.

augiedog55 · April 30, 2012

I only have limited experience with smart pots. This is my first yr.
I've had a 4th of july tomato growing in one for 2 months now. It is growing like crazy. Its in a mixture of pro mix bx 60 % 35% cow manure and 5 % perlite approx.
I'll be puttimg out 23 more in smart pots this week for the big experiment.
Smart pot come in 2 colors tan and black. I'm using tan so they don't get to hot in the sun.
If you look up what nc tomatoman, carolyn phillips and Ami are doing with grow bags its very interesting and all have great results.. I believe in thread was "just showing off" and the iother was "grow bags again" in the container section. great imfo.

amideutch · April 30, 2012

I've used the 10 Gal Smart Pots with excellent results and they should last at least 3 growing seasons if handled properly. Unless you are going to set them up against a fence you will need to decide how you will support the plants. I would not punch any holes in the bottom of the pots for supports. You could line them up and set up a "Florida Weave" type system to support your plants. Ami

http://www.foogod.com/~torquill/barefoot/weave.html

greenthumbomaha · April 30, 2012

I was actually wondering if someone could comment on the Viagrow aeration (not vinyl) pots. They are quite a bit cheaper when you buy 5 from Home Depot than buying smart pots singly. Thanks for the tip about them toppling over and someone mentioned how heavy they are. If I order them in time, I'm going the pepper route for a start.

Vinny · May 5, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by amideutch

I've used the 10 Gal Smart Pots with excellent results and they should last at least 3 growing seasons if handled properly. Unless you are going to set them up against a fence you will need to decide how you will support the plants. I would not punch any holes in the bottom of the pots for supports. You could line them up and set up a "Florida Weave" type system to support your plants. Ami

http://www.foogod.com/~torquill/barefoot/weave.html

I tried some 7 gallon smart pots this year. While they do work they dry up faster than a 10 gallon. I've noticed plants are also a bit smaller in the 7 gallons. I'm going all 10 gallon again next year and might use the 7 gallon sp's for herbs. The 10 gallon just seem like the perfect size. I may try the tan ones next year but they just seem weird after having used black for a few years.

Tracydr · May 5, 2012

I'm using some reusable shopping bags. I got about 25 free from a medical conference. I can't believe how much some of them hold!
The smallest hold about 6, 1 gallon pots full of soil.

greenthumbomaha · May 5, 2012

That's a great idea! Can't hurt to try one and see how it works. I have tons in my closet, can't possibly use them all for shopping. Thanks!

Tracydr · May 6, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenthumbomaha

That's a great idea! Can't hurt to try one and see how it works. I have tons in my closet, can't possibly use them all for shopping. Thanks!

I went around to all the vendors at the medical conference on the last day and cleaned up.
Make sure you cut some good size holes in both sides of the bottom after filling. They don't seem to dry out badly, either.

baileyj · May 13, 2012

Last year, and again this year I am using Oregon Breathers...they are light green fabric in multiple sizes. I used them for potatoes and plan to use one or 2 this season for carrots. At the moment I am transplanting bushes and using a few to hold bushes for the next few weeks until the bed is redone....
I have been very happy with the Oregon Breathers, but they are fairly pricey...I have never tried smart posts but they are similar.
They have handles but not really useful when the potatoes are large...
Found them on E-bay...

geeboss · May 13, 2012

I also use Oregon Breathers ordered from their site.

April 29, 2012	#1
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Which grow bag do you use - Pros and Cons Most local shops haven't started carrying grow bags, so shopping online is the only way. My search has come up with the following choices: Viagrow aeration pots - Home depot Hydrofarm Dirt Bags - Amazon Smart Pots - Amazon All the above are sold in bundles of at least 5, much cheaper than purchasing singly. In another post on this subject, vinyl grow bags were being used with good results and are cheaper than the above felt type products. I live in a hot humid area , so not sure if the vinyl material would be a good choice.

April 30, 2012	#3
augiedog55 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: oak grove mo Posts: 406	I only have limited experience with smart pots. This is my first yr. I've had a 4th of july tomato growing in one for 2 months now. It is growing like crazy. Its in a mixture of pro mix bx 60 % 35% cow manure and 5 % perlite approx. I'll be puttimg out 23 more in smart pots this week for the big experiment. Smart pot come in 2 colors tan and black. I'm using tan so they don't get to hot in the sun. If you look up what nc tomatoman, carolyn phillips and Ami are doing with grow bags its very interesting and all have great results.. I believe in thread was "just showing off" and the iother was "grow bags again" in the container section. great imfo. Last edited by augiedog55; April 30, 2012 at 08:06 AM. Reason: spelling

April 30, 2012	#4
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	I've used the 10 Gal Smart Pots with excellent results and they should last at least 3 growing seasons if handled properly. Unless you are going to set them up against a fence you will need to decide how you will support the plants. I would not punch any holes in the bottom of the pots for supports. You could line them up and set up a "Florida Weave" type system to support your plants. Ami http://www.foogod.com/~torquill/barefoot/weave.html __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

April 29, 2012	#2
ExpendableZero Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Alabama Zone: 7b Posts: 49	I'm trying out the disposable plastic grow bags this year.

May 5, 2012	#7
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	I'm using some reusable shopping bags. I got about 25 free from a medical conference. I can't believe how much some of them hold! The smallest hold about 6, 1 gallon pots full of soil.

May 13, 2012	#10
baileyj Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Annapolis Maryland Zone 7 Posts: 120	Last year, and again this year I am using Oregon Breathers...they are light green fabric in multiple sizes. I used them for potatoes and plan to use one or 2 this season for carrots. At the moment I am transplanting bushes and using a few to hold bushes for the next few weeks until the bed is redone.... I have been very happy with the Oregon Breathers, but they are fairly pricey...I have never tried smart posts but they are similar. They have handles but not really useful when the potatoes are large... Found them on E-bay...

May 13, 2012	#11
geeboss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Fairfax, VA Z7 Posts: 524	I also use Oregon Breathers ordered from their site.