6 Benefits Of Fabric Grow Bags

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

If you're just starting out gardening in 2023, please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below to get the right tools for the job! It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening! Seedling Trays! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3xiKAgi Amazon USA: amzn.to/3DWD2DR Amazon UK: amzn.to/3RRlrCQ pH/Water/Light Meter Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3yafmrV Amazon USA: amzn.to/3OKRW30 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3nvEIM4 Composting Tumbler! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39CgtYw Amazon USA: amzn.to/39Dha49 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3yLsKVf Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql Hand Pruners: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8 Watering Can: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa Spray Gun: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z Gardening Gloves: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@nbeizaie thanks! The pink flowered ones are a variety called Toscana.

[@nbeizaie]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Yes, I think I blinked and missed the text on the screen the first time I watched it. I noticed it the 2nd time. Thanks again and happy gardening :)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@nbeizaie no prob!

[@Deisel82]

How about Amazon Australia?

[@KathySarich]

Very much agree, I used fabric pots for the first time last year, and everything I had in them did very well.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

They really are a step up from regular plastic pots Kathy! 🙂

[@eileenbartnick7202]

Hi Jeff! One benefit you forgot.... Ease of tending your plants on the 'ol back!!! 😂 Grow bags are all I use. The raised height is what I need for my aging back! I'll have to check this brand out, too. I love their logo, very clever! Happy gardening and have a wonderful day!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

So true Eileen! 🙂

[@tanyabishop30]

Great job. I love it. I use different color bags. They are so pretty. But, I use ollas in my bags, so they don't start looking nasty with water rings and dirt around them. Good job.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ahhh...very smart Tanya....do you have a favorite brand of bag?

[@matthewkurt2246]

I have had my 20 gallon fabric grow bags for four years now. I have never brought them in for the winter in zone 5b. I don't deal with them until spring. They still look and work like new. I find that they work even better if not placed directly on soil or a hard surface. I have mine on top of small mounds of thick cut wood mulch. I get even better drainage this way and more air under the base. The bottom won't rot out as quickly, either.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

That's awesome Matthew! 20 gallons is HUGE! What do you grow in them?

[@matthewkurt2246]

@The Ripe Tomato Farms I grow just a few potatoes, lots of carrots, tomatoes (mostly determinant), and raspberries .

[@debichats8634]

Well, rats! I just got an order of grow bags from Amazon yesterday….My first time with them. I could have gotten the kind you got! I have 2 GreenStalks that I just got this year and and some food safe buckets and 10 grow bags. I hope to put bigger things in the grow bags and buckets and lettuce & herbs, bush beans, dwarf peas, etc in the GreenStalks. Next year I hope to get into the dwarf tomato project and I’ve heard they do well in GreenStalks. I’ve never been good at gardening but since I found your channel I’m finding that I get a lot of ideas and help from you! Thank you! I appreciate all you do!!😊

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Debi! Where are you going to get all the soil from?

[@debichats8634]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I got soil from Espoma for the GreenStalks and over bought it! I’m not good at math….lol I’ll use the rest of it in the grow bags and buckets. I’m trying to get a compost bin started. I know I’ll need that and for the GreenStalks I need liquid fertilizer. I’ll probably use it in the grow bags too. The GreenStalks are already planted for the most part. I’ll probably add more beans and peas to them. I plan to put the tomatoes and peppers in grow bags…..mine that I started inside are leggy and probably worthless! I’m upset that I didn’t find your channel sooner so I would have known what to do! UGH! I know it’s late to start tomatoes and peppers but what can I lose? Gotta try, right? It’s only a few seeds that I may lose….but I’ll have nothing if I don’t try. I’m in zone 7a and probably won’t get many tomatoes but It’s worth a try to plant what I do have (lol) and some fresh seeds and see what happens. I’m not afraid to try….but it bothers me a lot to fail. Only about 2 miles or less from us is zone 7b….what I’d give for that or higher! I’m frustrated but I’m not giving up! My lettuce’s and herbs are doing fantastic. Beans, peas and okra etc are doing great too! I just need to nail the tomatoes and peppers. I’m actually thinking about winter sowing for tomatoes and peppers…..they seem to be my problem plants! Any advice will be welcomed! I really love your channel!!! ❤️

[@sofiandpheobe8589]

I would say the main downside of using fabric pots is that they dry out excessively quick which can be a problem when it is very hot and dry environment.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@sofiandpheobe8589 yup, always trade offs....

[@TheSafecrkr1]

Hi Jeff I'd like to pose a challenge or a test. I'm about to use some grocery store fabric bags that you buy for a dollar and hold about 2 to 3 gallons of soil. I would be interested to know if you have ever tried them and how they compare to the store bought or your sponsors grow bags. Thanks so much for all you do for us to get our gardeners

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey jim, great idea! Most of our grocery bags here have a hard plasticy feeling to them. I fear they would not hold up very well!

[@VintageVibesHomestead]

Hiya Jeff 👋 the season is finally here!!! Love your brightly coloured fabric pots, was wondering what brand they are?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! The brightly colored ones were Wraxly. 🙂

[@VintageVibesHomestead]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms AWESOME 👍 I may have to investigate 😂 So excited about the new growing season.

[@stevepompei3694]

Never used them but wanna try for tomatoes, seems like you would have to water daily since the water pours right through? I also have some jades and bulbs indoors, how do you keep up with all the leaking when watering them, can i put them in like cat litter trays or will that defeat the purpose of the whole idea, tia

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes, exactly. Water the from below. Once a week let the pot soak up all the water it can hold for about 2 hours. It's brilliant and you'll be watering FAR less

[@shadytreez]

I have 3 tomato plants that over winter wintered in place, which are 10 gallon grow bags. Already harvesting tomatoes in 9B. Tried grow bags last year and had the most potatoes in them versus the ground.

[@nataliemintz6507]

I started using grow bags on my patio this year. When I ran out, I used a Trader Joe's bag with some drainage holes cut into the bottom. They work great in a pinch!

[@Nan54424]

Can you grow artichokes in fabric grow bags?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes Nan, most definitely!

[@arubaguy2733]

Since moving to a condo, where the HOA won't allow conventional dirt gardens, containers became my only option. I've seen so many benefits in using grow bags, that I wouldn't want to go back to dirt gardening again. Beside the mentioned plusses, I'm thrilled that I haven't seen even one weed in the 3 years I've been gardening this way. My dirt gardens always required frequent weeding, even when mulched, and weeding was a time-consuming and back-breaking chore that I dreaded but it HAD to be done. With bags, I started by purchasing around 200 pounds of good quality potting mix and added composted cow manure and fish waste to initially fill my bags. I find the bags practically cannot be over-watered. The soil never turns to mud and the bags themselves shed extra water nicely. After growing season is done, I screen the mix into large covered plastic tote containers to use again, remove old root balls, and hose out the bags. A spray of hydrogen peroxide on the bags interiors takes care of any pathogens and I machine wash and dry them before storing. Then in Spring, a fresh 40 pound bag of compost makes up for the lost mass and fertility. A 10 pound compressed block of clean pine wood shavings for mulch has lasted for 3 years. Sometimes, I will over-Winter the best of my peppers in the basement seed-starting corner under grow lights. I've automated both indoor and outdoor watering. At 73, I appreciate anything that reduces my workload. Y'all keep growing strong!

[@Inpreesme]

I ordered five just to see how they work. I now have 30. I just ordered 10 more from your link, thank you for all you do.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha right on Kevin! Welcome to the addiction! 🙂

[@-1Patroit.]

Never had any luck with cucumbers in them they always wilt and die. But in the ground they grow really well so I give up on the fabric grow bags

[@misigis]

Saw on another channel where the bags placed on soil developed roots underneath the bag. The roots grew right through the bottom of the bags. So it's probably better to place them on a non porous surface.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes, I actually like that. If the plant is growing so big it needs to escape the pot, so be it! 🙂

[@TDAEON]

This was happening to mine so I put two long 2x1 boards down in parallel and set the bags on them. This keeps them up of the ground and air all around the bags. It is helping to keep the tiny snails that showed up for the first time in my garden this past year. (Think they rode in on some bark mulch, sigh). They like to stick to the bottom and sides of the bags when right on the dirt so trying to reduce a welcoming environment for them since they will crawl into the bags and munch the base of the plant stems.

[@misigis]

@@TDAEON Good info, Thanks.

[@545453445443345]

I must use grow bags because I must do all my growing on my porch. Almost everything I grow is small or stunted and sometimes nonexistent ! I am really discouraged.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Oh no Steven....are the plants getting too hot? Too windy maybe?

[@jupiterglow]

What about leaving the bags in the garden over the cold, snowy winter months? I can't afford to buy potting mix every year. And I don't have any other storage options.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely! Often, the soil can easily be reused and repurposed! 🙂

[@jkarns8431]

Looked for grow bags at 2 local places. Neither had or had even heard of them. 😕

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Same here...I never have success looking locally.

[@rosedowling3690]

Starting my first garden in grow bags , so far so good and easy on the back

[@offgridwanabe]

Can't keep enough water in them so I half buried one to see if that works lol.

[@fionafresh8435]

Saved my tomato plants one year when we had wetter than normal weather. Moved them all from raised beds into grow bags. Been a fan ever since.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I agree... Too wet or too dry, they really can handle it all

[@rcgkreations]

I started my 1st garden & using grow bags, Great info

[@shirleyk623]

Jeff said at the beginning of the video that they are Lungar grow bags

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes, correct.

[@VidaV]

These are awesome for zucchini. Easy to move with great drainage.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Totally agree Vida! 🙂

[@TDAEON]

Going to try those in my bags. First time growing Zucchini. What size bag do you use? I was planning on 20 gal and using a tunnel to trellis them over

[@nizon8800]

my fabric container gets moldy on its side.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Too wet maybe?

[@maryannbrown6606]

Great ideas ! Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Mary Ann, thanks for watching! 🙂

[@Lemonarmpits]

Just one piece of advice can you just get to the point.

[@nicholasp8978]

So difficult to clean after ........

[@NannaCarlstedt2]

Hi Jeff, Any do-not-experiences to share on grow bags? As, is it necessary to secure air flow beneath them to avoid mould?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hi, no, I've placed mine directly on the ground....strawberries, garlic, tomatoes, peppers....no problem!

[@surekag3844]

​@@TheRipeTomatoFarmsdoes roots grow into soil when u placed on soil directly?

[@BoxMountainLLC]

Which size grow bag would you recommend for growing sweet potatoes??

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

10 gallons....you can actually grow quite a few in a 10 gallon pot! Go medium-shallow ones...don't waste volume on a ton of depth. :-)

[@christyherbert8935]

Can you reviewed FVVRAX grow bags?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

For sure, if they send me some, I'll review them!

[@8oclocktomatotalk]

Dude! I haven’t tried grow bags actually, but my buckets are getting out-of-control, in a good way! We were stuck in an RV, waiting for a home for close to half a year, and I’ve never been the same since :-) great video here, friend!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right there with you! Bags, buckets, pots.....container gardening rules on all levels! :-)

[@8oclocktomatotalk]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms indeed 🙂

[@hehawkiller]

I want fabric bags, but I have a male dog that likes to pee on everything. So I need plastic so his pee doesn’t ruin my plants.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ugghh,......I hear you on that one Darth.

[@temav.mitchell4898]

or stackables! To HIGH for his wee wee to AIM ON THEM! K33PINIT 💯

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@temav.mitchell4898 lol, that works too!

[@temav.mitchell4898]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I had to do THIS.... IT REALLY WORKS!

[@TDAEON]

And the cats that like to jump over into my yard. Heinous!

[@jimbattista1120]

I'm going to expand my growing with fabric bags this season. Try my luck growing radicchio lettuce in 3 gallon bags. If that goes well. I will do another run when the Temps cool down. I grew eggplant in smart pots last year. They came out well. I added 2 more varieties. Keep on Growin'!!

[@crazysquirrel9425]

Going to do an experiment this year. Going to put a 20 gal grow bag in a 25 gal plastic tub and sub irrigate for watermelons. Will leave about 2" of water in it at all times since watermelons need a LOT of water. Any thoughts on this? I would love to see a person try to move a 20 gal grow bag full of wet soil.... Oh the handles on my grow bags rotted off 3 months after getting them but the bags seem to be in good shape. Author forgot to mention that you can have less problems with bugs.

[@elizabethbowen7094]

Wow. Wonderful. Orderin more !!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Elizabeth! 🙂

[@brandywvstrong9673]

I love my fabric grow bags but they don’t love a weed eater. Lol 😂 🙏🏻💙🙏🏻

[@FikaduDemessie]

🎉🎉 🎉❤

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

🙂

[@allandownton]

What size grow bag size do you recommend for strawberries hanging from an 8’ horizontal pipe, 1 gal or 2 gal due to wieght

[@kristin143]

yes they are so good! I bought em duz season and using it in my potato plants, I'll use it in yellow squash, zucchini too, and I'll mix in one tomato! it's kind of cheaper too when bought in multiple pieces, and if I go to box stores, I ask d employees for bigger pots that they'll recycle, they always give it if u ask for it, saves money!

[@CatchLightAnne]

Your video confirmed my desire for these bags. I had one set of 3 bags ready to buy and ended up tripling it! Problem is my backyard is a train wreck of weeds, ants and rabbits. Kindly confirm that I have to find some elevated surfaces to place the nine bags on.

[@Mantras-and-Mystics]

I have boring black grow bags that I've never used. These brightly coloured ones would give me some motivation! 😅

[@rosalindhb]

I have about 15 grow bags, up to 30 gallons. Tomatoes, pepper and cucumbers love them. Downside when we had a freak freeze, the whole bag freeze. Even though I moved and covered the base.

[@sandyhayden-bristow1382]

Been using fabric pots for a couple of years for some of my veggies and small fruit and I love them!!! Hubby thought I was out of my ever living mind until he saw the results. Talking about eating your words. lol I've got about 40 of them, trick is to keep the birds and squirrels out of them.

[@waynesell3681]

Gonna try some carrots in fabric bags this year. Biggest bags I've got now are five gal. That should be ok for a Roma tomato or to small??

[@shelleygoetchius231]

What are they made from? Natural, organic, materials?

[@Donna_G]

I have 4 Smart Pots. Last year, I used the two biggest ones in addition to the elevated bed at the community garden. If your fabric pots are sitting on the grass or soil, the roots will grow through the bottom of the pot into the soil/grass below. Even if watered regularly, the main root can work itself fairly deep into the soil. It's funny in a way. It took me and my son to pull that pot far enough up in order to cut the root. In 2019, I used all four of my fabric pots and grew an Early Girl tomato plant some Market More cucumber plants, bunching onions, nasturtiums, marigolds, and tried to grow California Wonder peppers. My peppers liked the heat; but, didn't do so well in the sun. I tried to grow potatoes; but, they didn't do well either.

[@rainbowsnowflake5754]

I have 36 fabric containers and 10 plastic containers and 7 gutters growing right now so far everything is doing great

[@timothyshanley1132]

Lol they are awesome, started last year. Your right never going back

[@nolawarren3560]

Lesson learned. This method needs to be looked after. Those bags dry out terribly. They are a commitment

[@janw491]

I put some carrot seeds into a big black fabric bag and stuffed it in the unseated greenhouse over winter. The carrots germinated, I’ve put the bag outside and are on their way to be early carrots. My bags have handles! Will do much more this year

[@sslocke]

My only real complaint with growbags is in my area drought wreaks havok on even standard potted plants. So the growbags dry out even faster. So really need to keep on top of water needs and move the plants into shade if necessary. Other is they dont offer much stability in high winds without adding rocks or something to give them a little weight against the wind

[@joycebovee5818]

I love my fabric grow bags! I’ve been using them for the past two years!

[@jdish7485]

This will be my first year with grow bags. Fingers crossed

[@kristin143]

do u leave em grow bags during winter time? when planting season is over?

[@goldiegirl6705]

I found the handles rot and weaken after the first year and broke off.

[@FikaduDemessie]

From ethiopam 🇪🇹😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮🎉🎉🎉❤

[@jackijax505]

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

:-)

[@Carol32547]

Is this a good idea for hot Florida Temps

[@dvsmith79]

How big of a pot do you need to grow leaf lettuce?

[@michellecasteleiro1610]

They are fabulous for potatoes.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Totally agree Michelle!

[@TDAEON]

Zone 9b ... is it too late to start potatoes in a grow baggie?

[@michellecasteleiro1610]

@@TDAEON I wouldn't think so, just make sure they get plenty of water.

[@TDAEON]

@@michellecasteleiro1610 thx Michelle 😊

[@JogBird]

these are so expensive, just get a 5 gallon bucket for $5

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

?? These are TEN GALLON ones for $4.....double the size for a dollar less....so actually not expensive....in fact, 20% cheaper. (5 bags for $20 is $4/bag).

[@katherinel8661]

I’ve used fabric grow bags before, but I’ve never seen ones that come in such fun and pretty colors! I’m jealous. I’ll have to get some of those for the next season!

[@muniondalenewyurk6777]

The colored grow bags get dirty since the water & soil seeps through them. Lined them with cloth weed block. I prefer the black ones, so I won’t have to worry about the staining showing after watering & rain.

[@dahutful]

I tried em for a few seasons. Not a big fan, although the large ones can be useful.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I literally can't go back to plastic or ceramic now...!

[@bonniecarlstrom6014]

👍👍🇺🇸

[@keithkimsten5111]

My experience was the bottom half of the soil was soupy mud. Did get some potatoes though so not a failure by any means. Maybe I watered too much? It was my first time using them so it was probably my fault the soil turned to mush at the bottoms. I'll give them another try this spring. Never give up!

[@sandyhayden-bristow1382]

Potatoes need water yes, but much less than you think. Unless I get a lot of rain, once a week I put my bags in a small tub with a few inches of water for about an hour. The soil wicks up what it needs without becoming saturated to the point of mud. Another trick is to just put an inch of sand in the bottom of the bag, soil mixture on top and it will help with extra drainage. You'll get the hang of it, it all comes with time and practice.

[@TDAEON]

Great idea with the sand. Gonna try that. Thx!!❤

[@agmccall]

Hello. I tried grow bags last year and the issue I had was a green moss or mold started growing on the bags. Not sure if it was the soil I used or what. Do you have any tips to minimize this...Thank you

[@goldiegirl6705]

Same, the outside of the bag is green near the bottom. I think you can wash them but not sure if soap is good to use.

[@TDAEON]

Cinnamon inhibits the growth of algae/moss. Maybe try a spray bottle of water with cinnamon mixed in to then spray on the pot sides. Never tried that but was a thought.

[@themrmanguy7912]

I haven’t tried these yet. I’m stilling waiting on a sponsor.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

They're cheap, you don't need a sponsor!

[@themrmanguy7912]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I was only teasing. 😂 Love the content. We watch em all!

[@danielleterry2331]

I agree I have 20 along with my above beds and in ground, I enjoy the fabric grow bags and above ground beds thanks for vid showing people in apts can do this on their patios

[@humanbeing4368]

Will you be doing a video on the cons? As much as I utilize grow bags I have learned from experience that it is not cost effective if you can garden in ground. Grow bags require more fertilizer and water and let’s not forget soil.

[@TDAEON]

Ya the soil gets expensive. Had to buy alot of soil this year because my raised bed situation wasn't ready for planting. Takes a fair amount to fill even 10 gallon bags.

[@patkonelectric]

Are they American made ?

[@Inpreesme]

Hoping that something is made somewhere else ?, Amazon list them as being made in China

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I have never been able to find a brand made in America (or Canada).