How To Use Grow Bags In Northern Maine And Western New Brunswick

It's growing season and we are off to a great start!

My wife was seeking alternative ways to grow a garden in Presque Isle and, after much research, this is what she came up with and we think it's a pretty handy way to grow a garden.

They're called Grow Bags and the craze is spreading across the country like wildfire.

Click through the photos and see what we're talking about here. 

Why Grow Bags instead of Plastic Pots?

This is the $100 question. There are many good reasons as to why you will want to consider using grow bags, rather than plastic pots for growing vegetables.

• Healthier Plant Roots - When your plants are in pots, the roots tend to grow round and round and continue to seek out soil and water sources, to no avail, as they grow.
• Temperature Control - When enduring summer heat, plastic pots have a tendency to get very hot, especially when they're sitting on your back deck while you're at work or away. Due to their breathability quality, grow bags are able to regulate the temperature which is better for your plants.
• Watering - Grow bags are very porous and, as a result, require more watering. A water pot, or ground with a lot of clay in it, can cause over-watering, thus causing drowning to your plants. Over-watering can also become a breeding ground for unwanted fungus and mold.
• Storage and Placement - If your back deck looks like mine, then you probably have a bunch of plastic pots stacked up against the wall somewhere. With grow pots, you can eliminate the clutter and store them in a dry place elsewhere.
• Mobility - You can place these pots anywhere you want to. And I mean anywhere. You can put them on your deck, in the yard, on pallets, or anywhere else your heart desires. Are they not getting enough sun or too much sunlight? You can move them into a more shady or sunny area, depending on what they desire.

As you can see, there are a lot of good reasons to raise your vegetables in a grow pot environment.

Just A Reminder. 

Even though you are planning to use grow pots to raise vegetables or other plants, you must still keep in mind that many plants require certain depths for growth. I also want to advise you not to put too many plants in one grow basket.

For example. Tomato plants typically require 24-36 inches apart. If you plant them any closer than 2 feet apart, you risk choking out proper circulation of roots which can inadvertently cause disease.

As far as depth is concerned, using our tomato plant example, you need to plant them in a grow bag no less than 5 gallons. This will allow adequate room for the roots to grow and for proper drainage and air circulation.

Be sure you check depth and spacing requirements as they differ from plant to plant.

How can I get these grow bags?

You can either make them yourself, or you can purchase them online. 

I hope this gives you some alternative ideas for growing your own vegetables and flowers. Another reason why I really love grow bags is that you can grow your own vegetables whether you live in the country or in the city.

Happy Growing!