Back to basics - container gardening tips - Brief Article

Sunset, June, 2002 by Lauren Bonar Swezey

Cover drainage holes. To prevent soil from leaking out of a drainage hole when repotting a plant, cover the hole with a fine mesh screen or pot shard before filling with soil. If using screen, cut a piece large enough to overlap the hole by several inches. If using a pot shard, select a curved piece and place it convex side up so it doesn't block the passage of water.

Don't use gravel or charcoal in the bottom of a pot. They do not improve drainage.