Victoria County Master         Gardener Association

IT'S IN THE 'GROWING' BAG

Breathable bags offer gardeners another option for growing plants

June 26, 2020

by Debbie Hopper/Victoria County Master Gardener

Edited by Charla Borchers Leon/Victoria County Master Gardener



PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER DEBBIE HOPPER

This growing bag provides the right conditions for a petunia plant full of blooms placed on an outdoor table garden setting.  It is shown here in mixed light at this time of day but can be easily moved to other locations with different types of light and conditions.  One would expect to water this petunia more frequently just like other plants in containers that tend to dry out.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER DEBBIE HOPPER

Growing bags vary in size from 3 to 200 gallons.  Shown here are a 3-gallon bag that grows peppers, flowers, strawberries, lettuce, herbs and the like, as well as a 5-gallon bag for tomatoes and potatoes.  Larger growing bags are known to be used for growing small trees for resale to nurseries.  Much like a raised bed, large 200-gallon bags are similar to raised beds but require no construction.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY PASTOR MELANIE MONROE

Pastor Melanie Monroe of Hallettsville, shares a photo of this tomato plant in a growing bag.  It is noticeably happy and healthy with numerous green tomatoes on the plant.  Growing bags provide a denser garden space than in a traditional garden, the result of which is more produce in less space.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER DEBBIE HOPPER

Growing bags are easy to store.  Simply empty and clean; fold like shown here and store.  They require minimal space in comparison to other pots or containers and are quickly ready to be planted for the next season.

Option to traditional gardening

• Easy to use; can be moved; are breathable
• Provide growing environment to tree roots or too much shade
• Substitute well for poor or rocky soil
• Require no tilling or construction
• Work well with limited space like apartment living
• Convenient and reusable – over and over again
• Durable for 2-6 seasons

Growing bags

• Plastic or felt-like
• Air- and water-permeable
• Non-decayable
• Sized from 3-gallon to 200-gallon
• Black, red or blue
• Foldable for storage

It is that time of year, when people are out in the garden, but with COVID-19, many people who have never gardened before are starting a garden. Those who live in town or in apartments may not have room for a garden but can still grow plants. One such way is to use a growing bag.

What are growing bags?
These bags can be plastic or felt-like, used much like a container. Growing bags are made of a double layer of polypropylene fabric that is air- and water-permeable.

They are filled with growing media and used for growing plants. These bags are placed on the ground without any decaying and are easily moved. It is said that growing bags can last anywhere from two to six years.


I have tried both types of bags and prefer the felt-like bags to the plastic ones. The felt-like bags are made from breathable fabric, are well created and have better drainage than traditional plastic pot containers. Growing bags are available in sizes from 3 gallons to 200 gallons and come in a few colors such as black, blue and red.

History
Egyptians utilized wicker baskets and the Greek used woven containers because they were easy to move. In the 1970s, growing bags were made to be used at home and were used as commercial settings for market gardens. With time, they have become even more popular.

Why consider a growing bag?
Many circumstances would encourage one to use a growing bag.

Growing conditions
In addition to being ever so convenient and reusable over and over again, they substitute well for a growing area with poor or rocky soil. They provide a growing environment when there are otherwise tree roots or too much shade. There are less weeds in the new soil and there should not be any soil compaction in a bag from it being walked in. They also require no tilling or construction.

• Limited space and flexibility

They provide a solution when there is limited space at home like with apartment living and are easy to use in that they can be moved easily and are breathable. They are durable for up to six seasons.

• Healthier root system

Their breathable fabric provides drainage and aeration. When a container has no aeration, the roots grow until they reach the wall of the container. The plant makes even more roots resulting in a root-bound plant that eventually smothers itself with its mass of roots. This restricts water and nutrient intake, and weakens the stem.


In growing bags, when roots reach the wall of the bag the roots are burned off. This is known as air pruning. This causes more fibrous roots to be grown.

• Temperature control

Plastic pots can get hot and are not breathable. Because growing bags are breathable, they regulate the temperature better by allowing heat to escape. The fabric keeps plants warmer when cool and cooler when temperatures are warmer.

• Watering

Growing bags are porous and tend to dry out. Traditional pots can be overwatered and lead to plant disease or death. Drip or pipe drip watering can be used as well as self-watering with growing bags.

Bag Storage
Pots take up space and are usually stacked up when storing. Growing bags are emptied and simply folded up and stored with minimal space.

• Sizes

Bags range from 3 to 200 gallon bags.

Three-gallon bags can grow peppers, flowers, lettuce and such. I have used 5-gallon bags for tomatoes and potatoes. The large 200-gallon bags are similar to raised beds but require no construction, just soil. Anything can be grown in bags from flowers, herbs, vegetables and strawberries to some small trees.

Drawback to using growing bags
As with all containers, more water is required because the bag tends to dry out quicker. I would say that growing bags aren’t as attractive as some of the newer ceramic pots on the market.

Conclusion for choosing grow bags
Some options with using a growing bag can be where to locate the bag because it is easily moved.

If the area is too shady it can be moved to an area with more sun. If a storm is coming, the bag can be moved to a greenhouse or garage. With growing bags, a gardener can plant a denser garden, growing more produce in less space.


I believe there is less physical work in using a grow bag as compared to a regular garden.

A gardener can set up a small garden in minutes using a growing bag. I would urge any gardener to try one. Just remember, it is just in the bag.

The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or vcmga@vicad.com, or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.