Q&A for How to Use Growing Bags for Plants

Yes, you can grow veggies in a bag as long as you haven't previously used the bag for anything toxic or harmful to human health.

You are using the bags in place of a pot. They're great for small spaces because they take up less space when they're not in use, plus they're lighter than pots.

Using rock and gravel in the bottom of plant pots is unnecessary. It does not improve soil drainage but does decrease the space for roots to grow.

If you wish to contain a particular plant, the grow bag is an excellent idea as it can keep the roots contained and allows you to move the plant if needed. Just make sure the plant roots aren't strong enough to pierce through the grow bag material; ask your nursery for advice when buying the bags.

Place an overflow pan under the bag. They have them in different sizes at the Walmart garden center, for different size pots/bags.

You can place the bags on grass; however, it will kill the grass beneath, and the grass will grow tall around them where it's hard to access to mow it, giving the area a wild look. In addition, the tall grasses around your bags can reduce airflow, which may lead to diseases in your bagged plants.

No. The roots will not come through the bag, because once it comes in contact with outside air, the roots will die or self-prune.

This depends on the plant. Plants that like consistent moisture during the growing season (cucurbits, strawberries, peppers, etc.) will benefit from a moisture retention pot under the grow bag. Plants that are drought-resistant and/or prefer drier soil (butterfly pea flower, etc.) do not need any moisture retention system and may actually die if the bag retains too much moisture. Make sure you know how much water your plant needs; use a pot underneath the bag if the plant needs consistently moist soil, and do not put a pot underneath if the plant prefers drier soil or more infrequent waterings.