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Use charcoal to fill large pots


Click to enlarge image Photo/Illustration: Michael Gellatly

Although there are several ways to fill large pots to reduce their weight, I use all-natural, 100 percent hardwood charcoal. It not only is lightweight but also reduces the amount of potting soil needed, improves drainage, and can be reused season after season without dealing with those messy packing peanuts.

Gay M. Gross, Madison, WI

From Fine Gardening 100, pp. 25