Troughs with detachable drainage trays

[On the Moors]

I’ve recently purchased a couple of these with a ‘detachable drainage tray’. I normally drill the bottom of troughs like these but was advised by the gardener not to do so. I didn’t question this and won’t see him for another week or so. I thinking of buying some more but would like the logic of these trays explained. Presumably if we had torrential rain they would flood – I’ve already had a different trough flooded this year.

simpa Plastic Rosewood Trough Garden Planter Pot 50cm Length with Detachable Drainage Tray - Set of 2 : Amazon.co.uk: Garden

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy simpa Plastic Rosewood Trough Garden Planter Pot 50cm Length with Detachable Drainage Tray - Set of 2 at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[oneeye]

I’ve recently purchased a couple of these with a ‘detachable drainage tray’. I normally drill the bottom of troughs like these but was advised by the gardener not to do so. I didn’t question this and won’t see him for another week or so. I thinking of buying some more but would like the logic of these trays explained. Presumably if we had torrential rain they would flood – I’ve already had a different trough flooded this year.

simpa Plastic Rosewood Trough Garden Planter Pot 50cm Length with Detachable Drainage Tray - Set of 2 : Amazon.co.uk: Garden

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy simpa Plastic Rosewood Trough Garden Planter Pot 50cm Length with Detachable Drainage Tray - Set of 2 at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

They have to have holes for drainage.

 

[On the Moors]

They have to have holes for drainage.

I would have though so myself. I think the idea is that the water drains into the bottom and it is used as some kind of reservoir. I can't see it working myself. This explains it better:

5 Pcs Rectangle Plant Pots, Outdoor Plastic Trough Planter with Drainage Holes & Removable Tray for Succulent & Herbs, Vegetable Flower Plant Pots for Indoor Home Outdoor Garden (Brick Red) : Amazon.co.uk: Garden

Great prices on your favourite Home brands, and free delivery on eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

Can't see it working myself.

Edit - They are indoor ones, which makes more sense.

 

[Sean Regan]

We've five wooden troughs. They have slatted bases. When I bought them, I gave them two coats of paint. I also made feet for them out of polypipe to keep them off the ground.

This is the smallest, it takes two pots. These have drain holes "on stilts" the hole is at the top of a thin cone so some water will remain in the pot.

The four this size can take two, (last year)

Or three pots, (this year).

All pots are on big plastic saucers, sitting on the slats.

Nowhere is there any soil touching the wood. Surplus water draining through the pots will sit in the saucers, any excess will overflow. What's in the saucer will either be taken up by the plant, or evaporate.

I paid quite a bit for my troughs. But I'm of the opinion that such garden furniture is all made from timber, "with a density of close to that of forced rhubarb." Hence, the two coats of paint and feet. I would not be comfortable with a trough where it has soil touching the sides.

I occasionally take the pots out just to check the interiors of the troughs are sound and I give them a clean.

Apart from that, I don't have to touch them, "as surplus water, is disposed of."

We did have some wooden troughs before, with a waterproof lined base panel, but they rotted away after a few years. They rotted from the inside as the soil was touching the inner sides.

 

[DiggersJo]

Those tray have side overflow holes and they work fine even in torrential rain, but like most containers the problem is lack of water, not too much!