Container gardening of the pros | Growing a garden in Grow Bags | RMBA

Growing plants is a simple affair, with a complex set of options. On one hand, gardening is a simple as putting a seed in the ground, and watching a plant grow. Those more experienced hands know that there is a lot more to the process of growing plants than setting a seed and walking away: The soil must be constructed correctly; there needs to be the right balance of nutrients for a plant's various growing stages; soil microorganisms need to be present and managed for the best results; watering needs to happen at the right time and in the correct amounts; plants should be started at various times in the late winter and spring; special precautions need to be taken when transplanting starts; and the list goes on. It seems the finer lens one uses to examine the process of growing plants, the more variables there are to balance.

Considerations When Choosing Your Grow Container

One of the biggest decisions a grow must make is what sort of a container or bed the grower will use. Choices range from just planting in the ground with the soil available and hoping for the best to setting up an expensive large scale hydroponic operation. Many growers, both at home gardeners and professional cash crop growers, choose to grow a garden in some sort of container. Containers are easy to set up, the grower can choose exactly what media the plant grows in, nutrient loads are easy to manage, and smaller containers can be moved to the location that best suits the plant.

Pros and Cons of Terra Cotta Pots

The traditional container for planting is a terracotta pot. Terracotta pottery is a low-fired earthenware, usually left unglazed. Production is simple, and terracotta pots are relatively inexpensive. The neutral brown color goes with most decorating schemes, and, as long as they are unbroken, terracotta pots can be used for years.

Terracotta is a desirable potting material because it can hold, and slowly release water. There is a major downside, however. Terracotta pots, and their cheaper plastic counterparts, do not allow roots to breathe, often leading to a circling of the roots leading to a root-bound plant. Root-bound plants end up with long, un-branching roots that wind their way around and around the edge of a too-small container. the result is, somewhat counterintuitively, a reduction in root surface area, and plants that have a hard time taking up nutrients. The result is stunted growth, reduced production of fruits and flowers, and ultimately a premature death of the plant.

Why Use Grow Bags?

One of the best answers to a rigid container for growing, is the use of a flexible, usually fabric, bag. Many commercial growers have been using some form of grow bags for years. Grow bags for garderning, traditionally made of felt or other unwoven material, are a durable option. They are easier to store out of season than pots. Grow bags are flexible and are much more durable in a garden. One of the issues with the traditional felt grow bags is that, when saturated with water, they do not allow for airflow. It is then imperative for the grower to closely monitor soil moisture levels and time watering and application of liquid fertilizers very closely. Too much moisture can lead to unwanted levels of mold, mildew, and algae. Mold, mildew and algae can rob your plants of valuable nutrients and oxygen. The wet material does not allow air to pass through the root structure freely.

Given the technology available to us today, this seems like a simple problem to solve. Rain Science managed. Rain Science grow Bags, brought to you by Rocky Mountain Bio Ag, are engineered to, not only be a handy and durable product, but their unique poly-coated woven mesh regulates soil moisture by design. These state-of-the-art grow bags eliminate many of the problems associated with container gardening and felt grow bags. Roots of plants grown in a Rain Science bag naturally air prune, that is the sections of root nearest the edge of the bag naturally branch inwards rather than circling the container. With great air root pruning capabilities these grow bags create masses of fibrous feeder roots which maximize plant growth and production. Our special mesh allows for better drainage and oxygen to the roots and the microbiome. Rain Science grow bags for gardening provide more stable root zone temperatures, greatly improved drainage through the entire grow bag and extra oxygen to the soil because of improved air flow through the mesh.

Using Grow Beds for Container Gardens

If you prefer a box type garden layout over a bag, Rocky Mountain Bio Ag has you covered there too. The same innovative fabric and durable construction are used in instant Grow Beds! Available in a variety of sizes, a home gardener can use the beds as they are, or use them to line decorative raised container beds to glean the benefits of the material technology in a permanent home garden setting.

Why Rain Science Grow Bags?

Rain Science grow bags can be reused over and over again. The woven ploy-coated mesh is tear resistant, and the seam at the top is reinforced with a heavy duty cotton duck piping. Between uses, you can wash them with dish soap and warm water. If you need to sterilize your bags they can be soaked in a solution of H2o2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) and water. They are also washing machine safe, so feel free to throw them in with the laundry. Are Grow bags reusable? Absolutely, the UV resistant coating means your RMBA grow bags will be good to go for years to come!

You can use any potting mix with Rocky Mountain Bio Ag / Rain Science grow bags for gardening. We recommend utilizing Big Rootz by The Soil King to maximize growth and production of any planting! Big Rootz is "Designed by Growers for Growers"! We proudly work closely with Patrick King and know every input in Big Rootz is sourced with the end user in mind. We have also ran extensive tests utilizing Rocky Mountain Bio Ag / Rain Science grow bags and Big Rootz with phenomenal results!