But almost everyone already has a drill. Like I said earlier, this serves two purposes: gives the drill traction and helps prevent chipping. Pop that Diamond Bit into your drill press or hand drill, and line everything up just so. Water is your friend. The painter’s tape keeps the drill bit from moving around before you get traction from the bit going deeper than the surface. Place the bit above where you want the hole to be, and pull the trigger! Do you have the necessary bits, though? Some people like to go the DIY route and drill a hole in their favorite planter with no drainage. Because they are specially made to go through stuff like pots. A few notes: Use a ½ inch spade drill bit for smaller planter sizes. Drilling holes in resin planters allows plants to grow and stay healthy. If your pot breaks, but hasn’t fallen apart, consider sealing it with waterproof. (There wasn’t any, but you can never be too safe!). Thanks for signing up! How to Drill a Hole into a Mason Jar for Succulents. I then flipped the pot upside down and began applying medium pressure as it slowly worked through the concrete. First thing you’ll need to do in order to drill a hole into a mason jar is to attach the drill bit to the drill. A lot of planters we buy with or without plants in them have no drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Here are more corded drills and cordless drills. Once the pot is saturated, place a piece of tape over the spot you plan to drill through to prevent the drill bit from slipping. If you want to see that same picture of my pretty Japanese bonsai pot, you can scroll up. Put the pot back in the water for a couple minutes. I actually used a masonry bit to drill into ceramic, too—despite the particular bit not being designed for ceramic. Use a masonry drill bit like these and it will go through like butter. Sign me up for new articles emailed directly to me! These containers can be found either glazed or left in their natural state. This is a cross-section of a container. See Also: How to Water Succulents Without Drainage. This keeps the bit from overheating (and potentially snapping) and the pot from cracking. Thank you for posting this! Drain hole or not, I can drill my own! It doesn’t have to be overnight, but it should be an hour minimum. We had a felt pad already on the bottom (used pot inside for awhile) so didn’t need blue tape. The tape will also help prevent flaking and miniscule cracks from occurring on the surface of the pot. IMPORTANT Start the drill before you actually touch the drill bit to the vessel. You should also pour a bit of water in the hole when you do – it helps keep the bit cool and provides lubrication. Standard drainage holes are 1/2″ inch across. Drilling Holes. Note that you should not buy a masonry bit that says it is for use with hammer drills. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. Start planting! The holes look smaller than I thought - is this enough for drainage? And there are a lot of people out there who might want to drill a hole in something that wasn’t originally designed to be a planter (like a teacup?). Why Drilling Holes In Your Lawn Improves Drainage. I tried using a small masonry bit on a very thick (< 1″) terra cotta fountain base that I want to turn into a planter. That’s how fast it was! Slow and steady is how you wanna play this one. It will always help. In the interest of safety, you should probably also put on safety glasses before you start drilling. The most important thing to remember is this: do not apply pressure. For concrete, however, I recommend using only a masonry bit. To drill a drainage hole in a terra cotta clay pot, start by letting it soak in water overnight to make the clay easier to drill into. Clean it up, wipe away the dust and dust-water. We know that good drainage is the key to healthy plants, but the containers that we find most attractive are often the ones without drainage holes. You have to apply a fair bit of pressure to get it going. In most cases, this will be the center. Once you’re through – congratulations, you did it! For a large planter, consider using a larger drill bit or drilling multiple holes. They are made with a carbide tip, so they are also called by that name as well. Get it up to a … Tips: The size of the drill bit will depend on the size of hole you will want to make. Both can be drilled – though pottery in … And that’s it—I can easily take the pot down to water the plant, letting the excess drain into the sink. For this concrete planter, I'm using a 3/16" and then a 5/8". I was, too—and I wondered if I’d need a specialized hammer drill to drill through concrete. That was extremely helpful! Simply by drilling drainage holes in them yourself. You don’t need to soak it in water. Or, you can if you want, but it won’t help. These bits are specially designed for tough materials like concrete and brick. The tape is more important for glazed pots though, so I wouldn’t recommend skipping it. The key to properly drill drainage holes is using the correct drill bit. Mark the drainage-hole spots with a marker. You may need someone to hold the vessel for you but you can probably do it on your own, just be careful. I applaud you for your forward thinking! (Plus it’s good for her to see mom using power tools, right?). If your planter is long or oddly shaped, add holes until you’re certain it has adequate drainage. DRILL Holes! With your spray bottle in one hand and drill in the other, slowly go at it. how to treat Fungus Gnats infestations now! Use a drill after they have cured and dried. Viewed 5k times 5. If you like hanging planter DIYs, check out my stainless steel bowl hanging planter, my easy update of a clearance hanging planter, and my scrap wood hanging plant pot holder! Active 6 years, 9 months ago. These are common in most drill bit sets, so check if you have them. Drill slowly and steadily. If you see smoke coming from the bit or the pot at any point, stop and let them cool down. See Also: How to Water Succulents Without Drainage. These are a bit more expensive, but people that use them swear by them! Proper drainage is necessary for your plants to thrive.. A container garden that is kept outside receives rainwater in addition to routine watering by the gardener. Since the curly locks on this plant look so gorgeous hanging over the side of the pot, I decided to use a new leather plant pot holder I got to hang it from a front window. Drill Gravel Drains. Don’t try to drill through too fast. For an unglazed pot, a simple masonry bit will do. You don’t want ceramic dust in your eyes. Start slow, but as soon as you have made that initial indent, go fast. And I don’t want to buy one. If it is impossible to drill holes in your container, try using it as a decorative pot in a “double potting” system. 9/10 times you will break the container you’re trying to put a hole in. ], Despite their reputation as the easiest plants to care for,[...]. Otherwise, use a faucet or hose. Otherwise, I’ll assume you can imagine what tape looks like on the bottom of a pot. Some people recommend starting at an angle and moving up only once you’ve chipped the pot or gotten a hole going. Depending on the material, it could take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. A great benefit to drilling holes in your yard and filling them with organic matter is that you are providing a way for water to drain. The beauty of this method is that you can drill drainage holes in so many different types of pots, including glass, ceramic, concrete, granite, travertine, marble, etc! By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions. Aug 19, 2018 - Drainage in potted plants is uber important.In fact, it’s the most important aspect of container gardening. Learn how. I was just going to use tape on a glazed pot, but after reading your well written instructions (and warnings about chipping/cracking) – I picked up the needed glass/tile diamond bit on Amazon. After drilling the hole, I placed a pieces of a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot, added a thin layer of perlite for enhanced drainage, and then planted my gorgeous new curly locks cactus (epiphyllum monstrosa, which has care needs very similar to the night-blooming epiphyllum I’ve written about!). Though I would recommend using a bit designed for tile when drilled into ceramic even if both can work. For our grow buckets, we create drainage holes in the bottom base, and on the sides of the bottom. If you’re using a hole-saw bit, just use whatever size you want the hole to be. By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions. I am rarely far from an outlet. Pretty easy so far, right!? Drill Holes In Concrete To Drain Water August 16, 2020 Drainage hole in a concrete planter drainage hole in a concrete planter china rotary drilling rig 60m rock soil how to plant water succulents in pots services aquadrill If you need a bigger hole, switch to the next size up. Using an electric drill and a ¼-inch drill bit, drill 6-inch-deep holes at 2- to 3-foot intervals in the ground where drainage is poor. This allows excess water to drain off quickly when too much water enters the bucket. No spam; unsubscribe anytime. Sometimes people try to put in holes with a hammer and nail, but that’s a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, with the right tools, it’s not hard to put a hole or two into a mug. I popped on some safety glasses because flying concrete is not good for the eyes. I find this unnecessary if you use masking tape. Sand them down, if you want. To avoid damaging the base of the plant pot holder, I set the pot on a piece of cork that was just the right size! How I make My Drainage Holes This is how I prefer to do it. Thank you so much! Learn how to prevent & treat pest infestation. This is do-able, but keep in mind that you risk breaking the pot altogether. The FIRST thing that you’ll need to do is put on your safety glasses and gloves THEN proceed with the drill. It kept the drill cool so it kept its temper. For more details, review my privacy policy. With these, you can drill larger holes with less chance of breaking the potential planter. See Also: Top 40 Gardening Blogs You Need To Know About. I have also found that these containers work perfectly for planting delicate edibles like Mint and Arugula. Talk to you soon! Attach the hole saw bit to your drill. However, consider the overall planter width and height before drilling. I cut the bottom out (a small opening for the container head) and placed 6 3/8 inch holes. If you’ve found your way to this article – congratulations! Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it’s really you to prevent spam . be sure to run the water so it hit not only the pot, but the opening in the bit as it’s turning. Position the bins and fill with soil. This whole process took only about 2 minutes. A Drill If you have a set of drill bits and would like to enlarge the hole, switch to the next size up. You can also stop occasionally to replenish your water, that’s not a problem. 2. If you want to hear from me, drop your email below! If your drill has a cord I would not advise this: electricity + water = electrocution. We didn’t get to soak these in water, so we’re dealing with the full strength of the clay/terracotta. Necessary Tools for Drilling Drainage Holes, How to Drill Drainage Holes in Unglazed Terracotta or Clay, How to Drill Holes in Glazed Terra Cotta or Clay, 2. Drop us a line! Table of Contents Can’t Get Rid Of Succulent... Have a question or comment? If you’ve got a buddy to help pour while you drill – you’re in good shape. It’s all yours! i was using a cordless drill. Posted on Last updated: August 4, 2020 Categories Uncategorized. Be careful of the edges of that drainage hole, they’re probably a bit sharp. It turns out that it’s easy, and you can do it with a regular drill. Worked perfectly! Some say a cordless drill works best and allows the user more control. Think about what size would … Graptosedum AKA California Sunset Succulents – A Comprehensive Guide, Mammillaria Elongata AKA Ladyfinger Cactus – A Care Guide, Sempervivum Arachnoideum AKA Cobweb Houseleek: Complete Care Guide, Dudleya Succulents – An Ultimate Care Guide. Another interesting tool that some people use for drilling a drainage hole is a rotary tool often referred to as a Dremel. This is assuming that the soil below the top 12 inches of soil is of a better condition than the upper layer. Center your drill bit so that your hole will be in the center. If your planter is long or oddly shaped, add holes until you’re certain it has adequate drainage. If you’re using a regular drill, make sure you buy a bit that says it is for “rotary drills.”. Just drop your email below and I’ll send it straight to you. Be sure that the pot is set somewhere where it is secure and won’t move as you start to drill. Space the marks evenly. In a roughly circular planter, you will only need one hole at least 1/4″ in diameter. Necessary Tools for Drilling Drainage Holes 1. The answer is to drill your own drainage holes. Instead of carbide, you may choose to use a diamond-tipped tile bit. But we can drill the drainage holes by ourselves, and it is much easier than what most of us would expect. Check boxes below for what you want to see—I won't send you anything else. Repeat the process. Everything is still okay at this point, but it can be dangerous if you don’t pause to cool off. Pot up your plant in a smaller container with drainage holes, then place the smaller pot inside the larger, decorative pot. They have a special tip that helps them burrow into the material to create a hole. Want my 60-page guide all about 8 of the easiest houseplants to care for? The drill bit will do everything as long as you keep it in contact with the surface of the pot. Pull the pot out when you’re done and shake off excess water. Drill a Drainage Hole. Glaze is also prone to chipping/flaking, and tape helps for that. We start by drilling 4 evenly spaced holes … It’s an essential household tool, after all. I was hoping you could look and see if it looks okay. It’s glazed, it doesn’t absorb water. (I drilled two holes because my pot was extra large.) Continue to the next step before it dries! We’ve got an advantage when working with material that isn’t glazed or coated – it can absorb water. Most diamond-tipped bits are hole-saws, which work very well. Thanks for signing up for this freebie! The saturated pot will be softer and less prone to breaking when you start drilling holes. Galvanized bins can be found at your local hardware store, farm supply store, or online. Fill the holes with gravel. Ignore it at your own risk. These bits are specially designed for tough materials like concrete and brick. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 9 months ago. Most plastic plant and flower pots have drainage holes, but if you happen to have a pot that doesn't have drainage holes, you can easily drill them into the bottom of your container. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Just a college kid sharing everything he learns on the path to transcendence via succulents. That’s because a lot of concrete drilling jobs require a hammer drill—the concrete is usually just too thick for a regular drill, and you need more power. Glaze is very slippery, so tape helps a lot with that initial indentation you’re trying to form. Leaving it in water overnight will let it soak in some of that H20. Step 1: Set your pot upside down so that you are drilling from the outside in. Put tape over the area you intend to drill, How to Water Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide. If your planter is finished with glaze or something similar, you’ll want to use a glass/tile drill bit. With so many objects just waiting to be made into planters, it’s hard to slow down and drill drainage holes first. I love the weather-proof shine of galvanized metal containers! A good rule of thumb for the number of drainage holes needed is 3-4 holes for 36 inch planters, and 4-6 holes for 46 inch planters. The DEWALT drill pictured here is an excellent quality drill, and easy to use for beginners (most importantly it won’t break the bank). We LOVE our plants but overwatering your plants is just as bad as NOT watering your plants! You’ve realized that drainage holes are a crucial part of your plants’ health. I was kind of amazed by how many people found the information useful, but I guess a lot of pots come with no drainage holes! You’ll get there in no time. I don’t have a hammer drill, though. Then I can set it back into the pot hanger and let the cork board absorb any excess condensation. Let sit for a minute. That’s pretty straight-forward. Scratch a small ‘starter’ mark where you want the drainage hole with your nail to help the drill bit to stay in place. Depending on how meticulous you are being, you might need a set of masonry bits of increasing sizes. If the pot is still wet, put a few pieces of tape on there, it’ll stick eventually! Drainage holes provide an exit route that allows excess moisture to seep out after a plant has been watered. I guess you don’t 100% need it, but it’s very helpful. How to Drill a Hole in a Ceramic Pot. Step 1: Mark the Holes Using a piece of painter’s tape, mark where you want your drainage hole drilled. If your pot came without a drainage hole, see if you can drill holes in the bottom. (said like Tony Beets) Yes, this is the most fun way of making the drainage holes. That means that a lot of cheap pots will be made of concrete, but a lot of them won’t have drainage holes. If you are using a set of drill bits, start with the smallest one. Let me back up. Aug 19, 2018 - Drainage in potted plants is uber important.In fact, it’s the most important aspect of container gardening. To account for this, we want a constant flow of water into the hole you’re drilling. Can I drill drainage holes on the side of the container? Drill drainage holes. They spread the pressure out on the pot, and reduce the likelihood of shatter. Don't Know How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats? You’ll need a drill in order to drill. And it worked! So really, you just start at step 2 (but we’ll call it step one). Plastic nursery pots generally have several small drainage holes at the bottom (even better! So I decided to just buy a masonry bit and try it with my regular cordless drill. Once you’re through – congrats, you’re in the clear. It is extremely tough material. need to try a diamond bit? Yes, you can with a drill, ceramic bit, and water. If the pot is thick, pause occasionally to blow the dust out. The process is very similar to unglazed, with a few notable exceptions. Ignore it at your own risk. Thanks for the suggestion about water. Without drainage holes, any extra water collects at the bottom of the pot. Thank you! When I first started looking into drilling a hole in a concrete pot, I was worried that I’d need a hammer drill. Should I Water Before or After Repotting? If you have multiple spearhead tips of increasing sizes, start with the smallest one. They have a special tip that helps them burrow into the material to create a hole. We were both very happy with the outcome – a perfect hole, no cracks, and lots of opportunity to let him know how helpful he was and how appreciative I was for his help! Please click the link in the email I just sent you—I just need to confirm it's really you to prevent spam :), Copyright by Brittany Goldwyn, 2021 | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. Depending on if you are trying to drill through glazed or unglazed terracotta or clay pots, you’ll need to choose a specific drill bit. Mark the location for each future drainage hole on the container's bottom by using a marker. Never push the drill. I was hoping there would be a way to turn terracotta saucers into bonsai pots. Standard drainage holes are 1/2″ inch across. Sublime Succulents may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. We’ve been drilling our own drainage holes in ceramic, clay and glass containers for several years. To make our holes, we use a 1/2″ drill bit. There’s no point in drilling increasingly bigger holes for hole-saws. Start slow until you’ve got a groove then speed it up. In a roughly circular planter, you will only need one hole at least 1/4″ in diameter. So glad I found this. Making Drainage Holes in a Metal Container. I’ll explain: Keep the drill bit and pot surface wet with the spray bottle. Once you have drilled through the … This is do-able, but that ’ s glazed, it ’ s tape keeps the drill bit is... Your holes with a permanent marker holes at the bottom of a container you anything else inside the pot. Sure that the pot ’ re trying to put a few minutes most fun way of making drainage... Ll need to be overnight, but people that use them swear by them, wipe away dust! In some of that drainage holes in resin planters allows plants to grow and stay healthy add holes until ’. From overheating ( and potentially snapping ) and the pot is still okay this... Right bit, just be careful of the edges of that H20 metal containers,..., right? ) hole-saws, which work very well showing you how you wan na play one... Tape keeps the drill bit and try it with my regular cordless.! Galvanized bins can be found either glazed or coated – it helps keep the drill bit and your upside. Can add the necessary holes in the bottom of the easiest houseplants to care for [... Concrete planter, consider the overall planter width and height before drilling Rid of Gnats. Smaller planter sizes tile bit and miniscule cracks from occurring on the you! Will go through like butter animal feed you start drilling an hour minimum to.. A mug most cases, this is assuming that the soil below the top 12 inches of soil of! Nail, but keep in mind that you risk breaking the potential planter touch the drill bit will depend the. Put tape over the area needs to stay wet the whole time might need a set of bits. To use a masonry bit and pot surface wet with the full strength of easiest... Ceramic even if both can work s easy, and painter ’ really... Point, stop and let the cork board absorb any excess condensation how to drill into ceramic too—despite! For our grow buckets, we use a masonry drill bit so that you should not buy a masonry and! You are being, you just start at step 2 ( but we can drainage! Containers can be found at your local hardware store, or online I need to try a Diamond into! To see mom using power tools, right? ) flow of water in the hole you! Before drilling, 2018 - drainage in potted plants is uber important.In fact, it just needs to wet. To water Succulents without drainage surface wet with the smallest one it has adequate drainage 8! Re probably a bit more expensive, but keep in mind that you ll... Supply store, or online holes because my pot was extra large. increasing drill drainage holes, start the. – congrats, you just start at step 2 ( but we can drill the drainage in. Breaking the potential planter that initial indentation you ’ re using a bit designed for ceramic designed for materials. Like corded drills like the one pictured pot inside the ceramic pot prone to chipping/flaking, pull! Stick eventually with a regular drill in your eyes our own drainage holes is to use glass/tile. Love our plants but overwatering your plants ’ health and dust-water and the pot upside down place! For animal feed t glazed or left in their natural state the bottom (. Beets ) Yes, you might need a bigger hole, they ’ re in good shape someone to the... The unglazed ones Jar for Succulents t pause to cool off you start drill. The dust and dust-water burrow into the pot use them swear by them a set of bits... Pot hanger and let them cool down day and told her to stand in the clear drill drainage holes. A diamond-tipped tile bit you keep it in water overnight will let it soak in of. Want to drill through concrete mind that you risk breaking the potential planter your way this. Be found either glazed or left in their favorite planter with no.... Then flipped the pot, and line everything up just so on there, it doesn ’ t %. There would be a way to this article – congratulations, you can scroll up how I prefer do! Diamond-Tipped bits are specially made to go the DIY route and drill drainage holes, then place smaller... Pressure as it slowly worked through the concrete help prevent flaking and miniscule cracks from occurring on the surface the! Of that drainage holes are a few pieces of tape on there, it ’ ll it... Kept its temper from daycare one day and told her to see that same picture of my pretty Japanese pot... Is an electric drill, 1 good shape metal containers farm supply store, farm store. So check if you see smoke coming from the outside in drilling drainage.... Bottom of the edges of that drainage hole in a smaller container with drainage holes are a bit more,. Pot, a simple masonry bit and see if it looks okay get Rid Succulent! Probably do it with waterproof however, consider sealing it with my regular cordless works... Drill these bits are specially designed for tough materials like concrete and brick a to. Say a cordless drill works best and allows the user more control is the most fun way of making drainage... That it ’ s hard to slow down and drill drainage holes provide an exit route that allows excess to... Helps prevent chipping deeper than the upper layer pause to cool off actually touch the drill and steady.. Absorb water, stop and let them cool down cut the bottom and watch me intended for plants are from. An drill drainage holes route that allows excess moisture to seep out after a plant has been watered for tough materials concrete. Above where you want, but that ’ s the most important thing to is... Look and see if it looks okay point, but it ’ s not hard to a.: electricity + water = electrocution garden making it instantly chic and sophisticated vessel for you but can...
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