Fabric Grow Bags - A quick guide to Patio Gardening for the Smart Gardener

With spring being just around the corner, there’s no better time to start considering updating your garden – or establishing your very first one! Now, for most of us, buying new pots or planters can be quite exhilarating since they can provide space for new plants and can really spruce up our garden’s look. However, what if we told you there’s a more sustainable alternative for pots that will make your plants thrive? This is where fabric grow bags come in....

To put it in the simplest terms, it’s exactly what it sounds like – a fabric bag where you can grow various plants. Additionally, not only are they ideal for people who would like to start dwelling in the gardening world, but they are also great for seasoned green thumbs, as the bags provide several benefits for your plants. In this blog, we will show you how to use fabric grow bags in order to grow a flourishing garden, some of which you can find in our store!

What Are Fabric Grow Bags?

As the name suggests, fabric grow bags are reusable gardening bags made from unwoven, breathable materials. They provide your plants with a lot more air compared to regular pots, and they also have superior drainage. They come in various sizes and colors and can be moved pretty easily. Additionally, they can be set up in almost any indoor and outdoor environment. Because of their properties, plants can grow much quicker, thus providing lush foliage for your enjoyment.

Gardening in Fabric Grow Bags

As we’ve previously mentioned, fabric grow bags can be set up anywhere as long as you obey the rule of providing your plants with optimal growing conditions. You can place one (or several) directly on the ground, in your greenhouse or patio. The former option can offer better breathability for your plants, as well as moisture, while the latter option is highly more convenient since you can move your plants around easily. However, if you put your grow bags on the patio or any other solid surface, make sure to put up a liner below it since the bag itself can leave muddy ring stains.

Now, you may be asking yourself – how are fabric grow bags superior compared to regular pots? For starters, the bags are made from breathable fabric, thus allowing the roots to take in air more easily. Naturally, when the pots have no aeration, the roots grow out quickly and reach the pot's walls, which can lead to your plants being root-bound. In contrast, this doesn’t happen with grow bags. Once the roots reach the bag's walls, they are burned off, which prompts the plant to grow new healthy roots that branch off from the original ones. This process is also known as “air-pruning”.

On another note, grow bags made from fabric can prevent overwatering - water comes out either from the bottom or “sweats” out from the bags’ sides. Furthermore, root rot is practically impossible since they offer excellent water retention! However, plants grown in these bags require way more water than the ones grown in regular pots because the soil can dry out quickly. Although you can always go with the tried and trusted method of hand-watering, you should consider installing a drip line irrigation system. This way, you’ll never forget to water your plants, ensuring they stay in superb condition.

What Can You Grow In Fabric Grow Bags?

Practically anything! Since the bags come in various sizes, starting from 3 to 7-gallon bags, you can choose from a wide range of plants to grow in your bags. For the best results, you can look for dwarf varieties of regular greens, and you can also pick out bush and compact varieties. Most importantly, however, you need to pay attention to the size of your grow bag, meaning that you need to pick one that will offer plenty of space for your plants to grow.

• For instance, 3-gallon grow bags are ideal for growing strawberries, carrots, beets, and celery. Additionally, certain herbs and edible flowers, like cilantro, dill, and chive blossoms, can thrive in these conditions.
• On the other hand, 5-gallon grow bags can hold a single tomato plant, and a variety of other vegetables as well, like potatoes, cucumbers, peppers, cabbages, and onions.
• Finally, if you would like to plant small fruit trees, you should consider getting 7-gallon grow bags. Additionally, they can be excellent for growing melons, squash, and larger tomatoes. You can find all of these bag sizes in our store!

Before planting, you must remember that regular garden soil is too heavy for grow bags. For that reason, the best soil for these sustainable planters is a combination of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. Additionally, once your plants are all set up, you should add about 2 inches of mulch to retain moisture. They need to be exposed to sunlight for 6-8 hours daily (the morning sun is typically best). However, they do need a fair amount of shade, especially in the summertime. Furthermore, some plants, like carrots and potatoes, may even survive outdoors during winter, so you don’t need to move your fabric grow bags inside! The last thing to do is to check regularly whether your plants are getting enough water, and you’re all set!

Fabric grow bags can be wonderful additions to any garden, providing an abundance of benefits. In addition to great water retention and breathability, they are excellent in temperature control – keeping your plants cool during the summer and vice versa. Finally, the chances of root-bound and rot appearing are very unlikely.

We hope that fabric grow bags have piqued your interest and have inspired you to spruce up your garden! Check out our store to snag one yourself! Our grow bags are made from 280-gram fabric, making them extremely durable. We offer three sizes, so choose the ones that best fit your gardening needs. And if you choose to get them, we would also love to see some results – so feel free to send us your photos!

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Written by: On The Grow
Published: February 10, 2023
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