Gardening Tips
Grow bags are popular for horticulture , but are they good ? We discuss the safety of these container and their pros and cons in your garden .
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With their increase use in gardening , house gardener may marvel , are grow bags safe ? It ’s clear why grow bags are becoming such an important agent in develop plant . They have atmosphere - rationalize capabilities . They ’re a great option to a raised layer where the blank space for one is n’t accessible .
However , recent findings hint some grow base have plastics in them that might not be safe for plants or for the surrounding environment . In some slip , alternative to fabric grow bags may be good . It tend to total down to the manufacturer and what material they use in their material grow bags .
With all these thing in mind , we ’ve examined the peril some grow bags introduce to the garden and how you could avoid them . We ’ll also touch on how grow dish compare to alternative container , so you’re able to make the dear decision about how to acquire your nutrient .
Are Grow Bags Eco-Friendly?
Because the number of grow bag maker and brands are ever - increasing , the result to this question for the most part reckon on the grow bag material . This is determined by the manufacturing business , their party ethos , and what materials are uncommitted to them . We at Epic Gardening trust our own Epic Grow Bags in either theirlinedorunlinedversions , Root Pouchfabric grow bags , andGrassRoots cloth raised garden beds , both made of textile that do n’t percolate into the dirt or induce serious risks .
Plastics In The Garden
As a ecumenical pattern , most gardeners have some form of plastic in their garden – even if it ’s those thin , flimsy little six - coterie the local nursery sells vegetable seedlings in . formative potful , greenhouse plastic , PVC basketball hoop houses , rigid polycarbonate charge card sheeting , sure kinds of landscape gardening fabric , shadiness cloth , frost covers , come starting equipment , some tool hold or parts , 5 - gal bucket , and even grow bags all fall into this category .
In many ways , plastics are inescapable . There are some things that charge card can do for us that other materials just ca n’t , and we agnize that . So to a certain full stop , we ’re all buy the farm to find some case of plastic appearing in our garden spaces . How much plastic you use will always be a personal choice . If you are trying to remain entirely credit card - free , it ’s potential , but it can be very complex to find choice to some of these vulgar garden implement !
Grow Bag Materials
The cause plastic is present in most grow bags has to do with lastingness . Not only do fabric bag have to hold the grunge and root system of plant , but they also have to hold up to the elements . Environmental circumstance can be trying through the growing season , and so can frequent watering . Grow bags must retain piddle to some extent , and they have to be price - effective at the same prison term .
For home gardeners , there are options that generally differ from brand to stain . textile grow bags are generally made from recycled plastic purse or are raw fabric grow pocketbook . Both develop works in similar way , but lifelike material bags will not hold up as long as recycle plastic grow base . By natural fabric , we mean materials that are biodegradable and natural such as canvass , cotton fiber duck’s egg cloth , burlap , heavy wool , or other textile that decay .
There are varying plastic used in recycle old bag . Which credit card are safe for gardeningis a relevant question that repeatedly come up . Simply put , HDPE , LDPE , and sure PET plastics are food - safe , and food for thought - safe charge card are broadly speaking recognized as “ safe ” for most garden United States . Studies have render they ’re not prejudicial to vegetable crop or the surrounding surroundings when manufacturers comply regulations .
gardener should steer clear of some polyvinyl chlorides and all plastics in the “ other ” category or those label with a 7 inside their recycling symbol . These plastic category have been known to leach into the soil , and some cause known health issues . Furthermore , some # 7 charge card may moderate BPA ( bisphenol A ) which is known to mime estrogen , which may cause malignant neoplastic disease in exposed persons .
Root Pouch grow bag are made from PET charge plate that is spun from melted - down recycled urine bottleful . These go through an intensive process regulated by the Global Recycled Standard , and Root Pouch does everything they can to ensure their grow bags are suited for having plant grow within them . They do not add new plastics or chemical substance in the manufacturing process , and their Cartesian product are as dependable as can be assured for use in the organic garden .
Our Epic Grow Bags are similarly developed and use only BPA - detached , recycled plastic in their output . The lined traveling bag incorporate an inner liner that helps the grow bag retain moisture in desiccant conditions , and the unlined bags act much like other grow base by providing first-class drainage and aeration .
Grow bags will break down over meter like any other type of charge card . That may announce the start of questions about microplastics and their effect on the environment . Assuming that you want to quash the risk of microplastics all , a fully - rude textile bag or a DIY version of your favorite fabric traveling bag made of all - natural , biodegradable material may be well overall . Root Pouch does ensure individual - use of goods and services plastics get a 2nd life history , though – or possibly even a third , if the plastics used have been through the recycling process before !
Grow Bag Re-Usability and Recyclability
We have a tremendous trouble with plastic wastefulness in the world today , and recycle plastic grow pocketbook are part of the solvent to keeping some plastic out of landfills , at least in the poor full term . come down , reuse , and recycle is the key here — and these in spades qualify as reuse !
Grow pocketbook can last up to 8 seasons of use if they ’re made of lasting materials . If you ’re container gardening and filling the intact bag every time of year , a practiced grow bag should keep survive for a few days , at least with skillful aftercare . On the gloomy goal , more shoddily manufactured bags will last a twelvemonth .
Winterizing your grow bags and keep them in good condition in extreme heat will extend their lifetime twain . Of course , low space gardener would do well to use grow travelling bag and woven containers that are gamy quality . In this case , they ’ll be set for several years … but eventually , everything needs to be replace , and you ’ll have a grow bag that ’s ready for retirement .
Whether or not grow base are reclaimable has to do with the recycling facility in your municipality . Some are outfitted for recycling less ceremonious cloth , and others are only able to reprocess sure type of charge card .
To see if your grow bags can be recycle , check the info about their composition on the manufacturer ’s web situation , and compare that to your municipal recycling capabilities . But remember : arise bags often do not include the recycling coding that other plastics do , and it may just be that your bags are n’t recyclable . In that cause , you ’ve at least stretch the public-service corporation of the plastic for a while , but it ’ll terminate up in a landfill when you ’re done . Even charge plate shoot a limit on how often they can be recycled and reused to form something novel .
As of right on now , we do n’t know of any grow bag manufacturers who are recycling their ware , but this seems like the obvious next footstep for the industry to take .
Are Grow Bags Toxic?
As we mentioned before , with any fabric container ( including raised bed ) , their material composition will set whether or not they ’re toxic . Most are made of breathable fabric weave together with some form of food for thought - safe credit card or maybe even a textile entirely made from food - safe plastic . Some of the cheapest options are made with plastics that are known to leach into soil , and that may cause trouble for humans and the earth .
Before you spring for grow bag , it ’s of import that you consider your options and face closely into the quality of bags you ’re buying . If you ’re tending rooftop gardens , your flora are going to be more exposed to the constituent than some would be on the priming coat . The type of soil you ’re working with will also affect how they bear over fourth dimension . Poor soil quality could introduce salinity and chemicals that would otherwise be lacking , and that can induce heightened harm to the dish over time . surd water will leave mineral residues that will need to be make clean off . length of service is something you ’ll want to research .
The short answer to this question is this : sometimes , grow bags are risky , peculiarly if the maker are less than transparent about the timbre or origin of their plastics or about their fabrication unconscious process . However , you ’re in the clear if you ’ve chosen a fabric planter like Epic Grow Bags , the Root Pouch , or the Grassroots raised bed . If you ’re make do with a grow bag that is n’t as stringent about their textile composition as those company , you could be handle with perniciousness .
How Do Grow Bags Compare To Other Containers?
Outside of the lightness of grow travelling bag and the expert material some are made of , you may find framework pots and fabric grow bags do n’t mould as well for your situation . Here are some comparison of grow bags to other type of containers .
The destination of making these comparisons is to help you mold if you should buy some fabric pots or make your own grow grip . Potentially , you may find some of the other containers heel here are better suited to your garden .
Plastic and Terra Cotta Pots
For those with less blank , container of all kinds may be the best option . Traditional pots made of charge plate and terra cotta are often the most approachable and safest choice . However , these do n’t volunteer the same melody circulation , and they do n’t build healthier root organization via air travel pruning like grow bags do . Grow bags are often with child , allow the development of deep roots , supporting root crops and salad William Green alike . Unlike many plastic pots , you may have your tomato growing with sweet basil and marigolds in the same bag .
Aside from passing up on a robust root organization , a shaping container may also thwart your cause to avoid toxicity . While most moldable containers intended for gardening are secure environments for plants to be grown in , bags may be a better option for some gardeners . It depends on the quality of the plastic used . Many pots for garden use are constructed of polypropylene , which should be comparatively good . A few manufacturers expend PET for unbending plastic pots , but those pots often do n’t last as long , are n’t as resistant to UV rays , and may become brickle with metre .
Terracotta green goddess may be an alternative if you need to avoid plastic altogether . In this case , find sight with adequate root space , and think back to irrigate more often than you would in non - porous plastic . Terracotta taper wet out of the soil into its pores , which is great for some industrial plant that need drier soil and not so much for others that necessitate reproducible wet , like potatoes and Lycopersicon esculentum . Terracotta will be much heavier than a grow bag but is on a similar watering cycle due to that instinctive wicking behaviour . ( On the bright side , the natural wicking disposition of terracotta is what makesollaswork ! )
Repurposed Wine Barrels
One more or less biodegradable option to plant in is a repurposed wine-colored or whisky barrel . Here you have the same amount of infinite as you would in a average - sized grow bag , with a short more piddle retention . These bbl are BPA - free , safe for mature food , and they tally a really cool aesthetic to the container garden .
Unlike fabric grow travelling bag or raise bed , you will postulate to ensure they have drain holes and cross them with heavy - responsibility landscape painting fabric to prevent the holes from being clogged with potting soil . While they have more room than a smaller suitcase , plants with thick , larger root systems can get root bound in them .
While many do n’t have built - in handle , barrel are sturdier and last many more grow season than base do . Because maturate bags are poriferous , they need watering much more often than wooden containers , which can hold some excess water in their wall . With woodwind , you pretermit out on the lightweight nature and felt - like texture that grow cup of tea bring .
Metal Pots and Beds
While you need more frequent watering in grow bags than you would in a metal container , a grow bag could still be the better selection in your garden . Like other planters we ’re name here , it definitely depends on the quality of the type you ’ve choose . A repurposed wash vat or stock armoured combat vehicle may seem like a good idea , but there are ways you must prepare them to make them eco - friendly and support works wellness .
Ensure your tank has fantabulous drainage . Since most come with a unanimous bottom , you ’ll have to make some drain hole . If you want to hop-skip the provision , you could buy a corrugatedgalvanized sword raised bedor acorten or REDCOR sword bed , like theBirdies bedswe deal in our shop . Those are quick for garden habit and wo n’t have any modifications demand prior to employ .
British gardener and those gardener situated on coastlines may require to forfend corten or REDCOR bed due to the deterioration they are dependent to in common salt atomiser . It ’s in these environment the biodegradable nature of blade is most noticeable . A regular Birdies seam might hold up well , but plastic , terracotta , and woodwind are skillful .
You may also scarper into leaching with certain repurposed metal . This may not affect the top outgrowth of your container garden , but over a few arise seasons , the metal container you works in may have snap off down enough to damage your crop and yearly flowers . Therefore , when it come to metal , something prepared is good .
Repurposed Items From Home
perchance you ’ve managed to amass a good deal of fictile containers and old woven basketful , and you ’re excited to get your tomato plant and root veg going in springiness . Remember from our word of plastics in grow cup of tea that not all plastics are make equally . Some may be suited to holding your milk , but they are n’t suit to the acidulousness that comes from constitutional topic sit in them over time .
Here , it ’s important to check off the markings on your charge plate container and then determine whether they ’ll be dependable to use over time . recall that plastics meant for food sale or warehousing may not be optimal in the garden . It probably wo n’t hurt to commence a hatful or two of microgreens in a grapple tray , but that does n’t mean it should spend tons of prison term in the Dominicus !
Most reputable grow bagful distributors take pain to see to it their bags are made from polypropene fabric that is eco - friendly . These can stand up to lineal sunlight , drip irrigation , and crop rotation . They ’re designed to concur plants , even those that have roots that get hold of fairly deeply into the soil . Your food containers ca n’t guarantee those same thing , so they ’re modified - prison term use and will finally need to go into the recycling bank identification number or enter the wastefulness stream .
If you know your repurposed materials can resist full sun and they can support the weight of soil and flora roots , engraft away . A immense plus is added when you know your containers are biodegradable . If you have a large cardboard boxful that you would rather employ than recycle , plant tater into it ! originate with the flaps fold down , and videotape them up as you hill your potatoes and sum up more nutrients to the grease .
Much like a sanitized , safe - for - food plastic container , the cardboard boxful will only last one time of year . That means you ’ll have to remove the remaining box seat provide behind in other spring if you found in winter . However , it ’s a great eco - friendly option for certain plants .
If you want to plant something that requires a lot of space , like sweet potato , or more plant life than just one or two , you might want to go with a great raise bottom or grow grip .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : Are grow udder safe for organic gardening ?
A : It depends on the marque , but reputable manufacturers use PET plastics or fully natural fabrics in their bag that are safe for growing flora .
Q : Do grow bags have BPA ?
A : Some might , so it ’s of import to do research to ensure you do n’t buy those that do .
Q : How long can you keep a plant in a grow udder ?
A : you could keep a plant in a grow bag until you harvest , until the plant becomes radical - bound , or until the bag gives out .
Q : Do Grow bag cause root rot ?
A : They do the inverse , as they ’re not the best water retainers . You will need to water your grow grip much more on a regular basis than a solid container or raised bed . Our Epic Lined Grow Bags put up a little more moisture retention than a even grow bag does .
Q : Do grow bag leaching chemicals ?
A : Some may , but it depends on what they ’re made from . Look for grow old bag that are made with polypropene woven fabric . These tend to be the safest .
Q : How do you sanitize a grow cup of tea ?
A : At the end of the season , empty your dish , throw them in the automatic washer with ¼ cup of vinegar , and moisten them . Then re - regulate them by hand , hang - dry out them , and stash away them in a healthful place .
Q : What can I utilize or else of grow bags ?
A : There are so many options . You ’ve got terracotta raft , plastic pots , repurposed house materials , cardboard box … the list run on .
Q : Are grow bags better than pliant pots ?
A : It depends on the caliber of either . Most reputable sources for grow purse tend to be suit for plants , but they do not keep on water as well as a charge plate pot will . However , grow handbag often have handgrip and are easier to move around , plus are easier to store than a stack of plastic pots . It all depend on what you need !
