Old potsherds are given an important task in a flowerpot. Properly introduced, they protect the plant from waterlogging, which always causes great damage to potted plants.
Shards of pottery protect the drainage hole from clogging
The risk of waterlogging
If the water in the flower pot cannot drain properly, waterlogging will form. The earth is constantly soaked and muddy. All pores in the soil that give oxygen to the plant are flooded. Because of this, the roots can no longer breathe and die. Decay develops, which spreads quickly.
The plant suffocates and hangs its head. If you mistake this for a lack of water and water it, it will only make things worse. To prevent this from happening in the first place, a drainage should be placed in the flower pot with every new planting.
Drainage for the flower pot
Material for a flower pot drainage is of course available in the garden store, expanded clay, (19.73€) pumice gravel etc. But if you don't want to spend money, first check your stocks to see if there is a broken clay pot lying around somewhere. Pottery shards provide excellent drainage. There are plenty of cavities in the pot through which the water can drain. So, smash the clay pot and keep using the shards. Proceed as follows:
- Take your plant pot and layer pottery shards over the drainage hole.
- Make sure the layer is about three to four inches thick.
- Place a piece of fleece over the shards as a filter layer so that the potting soil cannot mix with the shards and clog the drainage hole.
- Fill the pot up with soil.
- Plant your flower.
Drainages made of potsherds are not only suitable for the flower pots on the windowsill. Balcony boxes (€109.00) or even large planters can be provided with such a layer of shards. Since the clay absorbs plenty of water, the plant always has a supply of moisture, even on dry days, so frequent watering is no longer necessary.
Even in heavy rain, waterlogging cannot form in the planters in the garden if they are protected by the drainage. Any excess water will drain away.