Drainage

[hamster]

My dad is very kindly giving me a load of wooden wine boxes that I can grow things in next year. I was going to plant some winter spinach in one of them asap, and have been varnishing it frantically! I still need to put some drainage holes in the bottom, though. Can anyone advise me as to how many holes I need and how big they should be? The box is about 20' x 13'.

The main problem is that we don't have a drill. My boyfriend has suggested making some holes by bashing some nails through and pulling them out again. Will this be enough?

[Thomzo]

Hi
You can do but it'll take a while and the holes will probably clog up quickly as they'll be a bit small. You could ask for a drill on Freecycle. You could ask to just borrow a drill and a large drill bit. Someone might lend you one. Or ask your neighbours if you could borrow one.

Cheers
Zoe

[hamster]

Yeah, that's what I thought. I've put a message on Freecycle, so fingers crossed!
Thanks for your help!

[Wombat]

A 20mm speed bit to go in a drill would probably work fine. Put in 4 or 5 holes and Bob's you auntie! (Strange fellow Bob.... )

Nev

[hamster]

My ad hasn't come through on Freecycle. Don't know why. Ah well, the boyfriend thinks he can borrow one off someone at work.

Will do as you say, Nev! Will I still need to put bits of polystyrene at the bottom, like with terracotta, or will it be okay with a handful of big holes?

Ah, the woes of the novice gardener!!

[Thomzo]

I'd still put the polystyrene on the bottom if you have space. It'll keep the soil off the bottom of the boxes and perhaps stop them rotting quite so quickly. Polystyrene also insulates a little bit and might help protect the roots of your plants against the frosts.

Zoe