The sword of Damocles of waterlogging hovers over every window box planting. If rainwater or irrigation water cannot run off unhindered, the plants are doomed. By making holes in the ground, you avoid this risk. These instructions explain how to do this in plastic and terracotta - without any cracks or breakage.

Plastic is easier to drill than clay

Making holes in plastic boxes - this is how it works

Plastic flower boxes (€16.99) are inexpensive and can be used over and over again. The manufacturers have already pre-punched several openings in the bottom of the box for water drainage. It would now be easy to pierce these predetermined breaking points with a screwdriver. However, it usually does not stop with the holes. Rather, long cracks form and make the entire balcony box unusable. How to make it better:

  • Take a serrated knife
  • Start in the upper area of the turned-up floor opening
  • Cut a thin slice of the plastic

This procedure is particularly recommended if you have purchased a cheap window box made of thin plastic. In flower boxes made of high-quality, stable plastic, there is nothing wrong with making the holes with a screwdriver. Place the flower box (€16.99) on the lawn and pierce the pre-punched openings from the inside out.

Drilling holes in terracotta box - how to do it right

Drilling holes in the bottom of a flower box made of terracotta presents the gardener with a particular challenge. Improper drilling can shatter the expensive window box into a thousand pieces. It is important to cushion the destructive vibrations and redirect the resulting tension. How to make holes without breaking:

  • Place the bottom of the terracotta flower box on thick styrofoam plates
  • Drill two to three holes with an 8mm impact drill
  • Ream with a 10mm impact drill

It is important to note that you never drill into a cavity on flower boxes made of terracotta, ceramic or earthenware. As long as a soft base made of Styrofoam, old newspapers or a similar cushioning material absorbs the vibrations, your valuable balcony box will remain intact.

tips

By making holes in the balcony box, you have only completed part of the prevention against waterlogging. Before you fill the flower box with substrate, create drainage over the floor openings. For this purpose, spread a 3 to 5 cm layer of broken pottery, clay granulate or grit.(46.95€)

Category:

Indoor plants