Grow Bags are a great bonus for anyone wanting to grow their own tomatoes, aubergines and cucumbers (or any type of crop which does not require deep soil). They are especially good if you have a shortage of space in your garden, or are restricted to a balcony or yard.

You might think that using a grow bag is fairly straightforward, and indeed you would be right. However, there are several things you can do to improve their efficiency.

1. Prepare the bag

When you get the grow bag home, loosen the soil inside by shaking and kneading it like a pillow. crumble up any hard lumps of compost before planting anything in it.

2. Position the bag

Place the grow bag on a level surface which gets plenty of sunlight. Shift the compost around a bit until it is slightly in the middle, where the plants will sit.

3. Drainage

Grow bags are great at retaining water, so you need to allow for drainage. Make several small, evenly spaced holes in the bottom of the bag to allow excess water to escape.

4. Essential Extras

Plants such as tomato and cucumber will require support as they grow. Invest in some grow bag frames and bamboo canes. The frames sit over the grow bag and the canes can then be attached to the frames. Your plants can now grow up through the frames and be tied to the canes to give them support. You can also get grow pots, which you place over the plant, letting the plant grow up through them. Grow pots can be filled with water, which then drips slowly onto the roots, ensuring perfect watering. Also good for delivering liquid plant food directly to the root system.

5. Re-use

Once your have finished with your grow bag, you can split it open and use the compost to condition the soil in your garden.

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