Question 1

This item comes with no directions. Can anyone who knows how to use this kind of pot explain how it is used? I live in Georgia w/ red clay for dirt.

Accepted Answer

It's very easy. The pot itself is basically made of weed-preventer cloth, sewn together in a pot shape. So, the product arrives folded up in a plastic bag. You take it out, and just "open" the pot up, shape it as it were. Think of a floppy hat, it's the same idea. You take that out of your drawer, flop it open, and put it on. With this pot, similar idea.When the pot is fully opened, it should maintain it's pre-made pot shape. Then, just add your soil. You may have to pull the edges back a bit every so often, as you put the soil in. And most important, you want to make sure that the soil is packed in properly, all the way around the edges and down to the bottom. Don't leave "air pockets" in the soil. My suggestion is to fill the pot up to about 1 to 1/2 inches before the top of the rim.Before filling the pot with soil all the way, you want to make sure you put soil in at the bottom first, leaving enough room for the plant and root ball. Also, for the most part, you want to make sure that you fill the pot up in such a way, that the plant will be planted at, or just barely above the soil line, and within 1 inch of the rim. That is a general rule. Then you are basically finished.One thing to remember is, since this entire pot is porous, you may have to water the plant a bit more often than usual. Follow the general rules of whatever it is that you are planting. And also, clay soil, for the most part, is not great for most plants. I would use a potting mix soil, or some loam soil mixed in for drainage. But again keeping in mind that this pot will aid in draining much faster than others.

Question 2

Has anyone used these for more than one season?  I am wondering if the bag starts to deteriorate over time. Please only reply if you have the answer.

Accepted Answer

They are pretty durable -- I've had them for four seasons, used them for two -- they are still solid. I take care of them -- I wash and dry them thoroughly before storing over the winter.

Question 3

I live in a second floor apartment and am concerned that water would leak out the bottom of the pot...right onto the neighbor's patio downstairs!Help?

Accepted Answer

Some suggested watering a few times per day in order to avoid water run-off, which is not practical for most people. I would like to see Smart Pots create a solution to water leaking from the bottom of the pot. In the meantime, a saucer may work but I am concerned that the pot fabric will rot from sitting in saucer water.

Question 4

What size Smart Pot would I need to grow indeterminate staked tomato plants?

Accepted Answer

Depends how many you want to grow in it. This one could grow several, for instance, but if you put two or three they'll be even bigger and more plentiful. This one could grow a few tomatoes with smaller plants in front, such as basil, which is a great companion plant, and whatever else you'd like to grow - perhaps beans or cucs or even a some eggplants. If you're wondering which size pot to get for a single tomato plant, 5 gallon at minimum. 10 gallon would be ideal. Hope this helped a bit. This 100 gallon one I happen to own and it is large - a small garden in itself. It's a great size if you're looking for a large contained area.

65-Gallon Smart Pot Soft-Sided Container, Black

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