Gardening in Grow Bags | Container Gardening

Hello! My name is Bethany and I grow things on my rooftop deck garden in Chicago. In this video I’m talking about grow bags! Grow bags are one of the easiest and most effective types of containers for gardeners.
I’ll go over pros and cons of grow bag gardening and give you a tour of the grow bags I use in my balcony garden.
My favorite products: www.amazon.com/shop/chicagoga...

[@emekasearthgems3376]

Thanks for sharing 💜 I love my grow bags!

[@atlchipper10]

Great video!

[@eldorawillie6108]

Very good information that you put out there. Very interesting

[@manresa612]

Thanks for the video. I could watch you do just about anything. 😍

[@icanfix1]

One of the best videos on grow bags. Good growing Chicago!

[@sindhu7009]

Another great video and a lot of helpful inspo. Thank you!

[@ChicagoGardener]

That makes me so happy to hear!

[@krisikrishok160]

Your presentation is very important for growth cultivation in bags. Thanks

[@cityzenkane108]

Excellent thanks so much. Very helpfull

[@ChicagoGardener]

That makes me happy to hear!

[@virtualdude2012]

You are such a great gardener

[@gardentours]

Interesting videos, I like grow bags because they are so light.

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yes! They're so easy to move around, even the large ones.

[@organicgreengarden9814]

That's good your plant very helthy and...good ideas and grow beg size perfect....👍👍🙏🙏

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you!!

[@richa1996]

So inspiring videos You explain so well Keep going God bless you pretty angel 😇

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you!!

[@rweb-dh9pf]

You can put the bags on "pot elevators," basically plastic stands that allow air to flow under the pots too. It helps with the cleanliness and also prevents roots from growing thru the bottom of the bag.

[@pappag247]

Absolutely the pros definitely outway the cons. I love seeing other gardeners using thier available and unusual spaces for growing. A lot of people are led to believe that you need lots of land but you a proof that all you need are a few grow bags and a little imagination with what you have. Your right using grow bags are by far the best for root development. Another little tip to help with grow bag water retention is to put a 12 inch - 300mm Plastic Plant Pot Saucer /Tray in the bottom of the 7 gallon bags before you add the soil. They are around $2 - £1.75 a tray and they will give you a 1.75 inch - 45mm water wicking reservoir that helps prevent bags drying out completely, without the problem of water logging. Love the companion planting too as you can never have to many onions.

[@ChicagoGardener]

That is such a good idea for water retention in the grow bags!! I think I need to try that for my peppers this year.

[@aliciafarias8410]

This year I got 10 gallon grow bags and they are working wonderful for me. Thank you for sharing your video

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you for watching! Grow bags have done so well for all my plants!

[@Centannicocktails]

Hi Alicia, do you put your bags on a stand or bricks or anything? Of just on the ground? Thank you

[@mlabo5]

I've grown many things in grow bags. Very cost effective for sure.

[@ChicagoGardener]

They’re so cost effective, especially for the larger sizes!

[@philee2020]

This is such a great video! I always thought these were kind of ugly but as soon as you get to learn all the benefits, these just make so much sense! I love the flexibility they offer, allowing your plants to be mobile and it helps to minimize weight altogether. I like the fact that once the growing season is over, I can wash, fold, and put away all the grow bags in a drawer in my home, until the following year. And they definitely are affordable versus any other form of containers like plastic, ceramic, terracotta, wood, metal, etc!

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yes! I would never be able to find a 30 gallon container for only $5 that wasn’t a grow bag!

[@Chelleyshall]

I’m new to gardening and definitely bought more plants from the nursery than I have room to plant and now I need more containers. This is very informative. Headed to get some grow bags now. Thanks!

[@ChicagoGardener]

I always end up with more plants than I have space for 😆

[@ThePoplarReport]

Thanks for the information…great channel!👍 My subs were all telling me to look into grow bags.👍 New sub, please keep the gardening info coming.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I can’t recommend grow bags enough! My plants seem the happiest in them and they’re so cost effective.

[@gardenstory6486]

Your container garden is very beautiful

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you so much!!

[@gardenstory6486]

@@ChicagoGardener welcome

[@KitchenGardenTherapy]

I need to get some large grow bags, only have small 7 gallons. Grow bags are awesome

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yes! And so affordable.

[@Zig423]

I agree about the stains etc they look better as they get abit older. Plus don’t get all black the heat soak with them all together might be bad 👍

[@surfw50]

Hey there Bethany. Just a short note. I LOVE the look of the stained grow bags. No two are the same and each very unique. IMHO

[@ChicagoGardener]

I love that!!

[@KeeKeeSoto]

Grow bags are a necessity in my opinion but I may be a little bias lol. Good job laying out the pros & cons😊🌿

[@ChicagoGardener]

Agreed! They’re my favorite of all container types I have!

[@lorayejones4777]

Great

[@Hamidjutt999]

Nice

[@user-jb9dj7os4x]

Your plants look healthy.You are a beautiful young lady.

[@ChicagoGardener]

Thank you!!

[@Cuzntime]

I prefer the white bags over the black bags.. After my crop was done last year I emptied all my pots and found the plant roots on the black bags were all burnt on the outside edges from the extra heat the black bags attracted on hot sunny days..

[@ChicagoGardener]

That’s such a good point! I haven’t emptied out my black ones in three years so maybe I’ll do that at the end of this season and take a look.

[@munirasultana2313]

Nice video 👌 A new Subscriber here 👍

[@duramax78]

I use safeway cloth bags, .25 each.

[@AngelinAfrica]

Great video. I love the ideas. How do you get rid of the green icky green mold on the outside of the bags 🤢🤮

[@ChicagoGardener]

I know this is going to sound weird, but it always disappears! Or maybe it’s still on the bags, but visually it goes away at least.

[@carolinehatley3783]

Great information. Did you fertilize often?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I fertilize most of my plants about once a week although sometimes I do forget 😆

[@seedslife]

👍

[@SingleMalt77005]

#1: I just got 7-gal bags from garden4ever. Do I fill them to the brim? #2: Last year I grew herbs in a raised garden but now I want to redo it to grow cutting flowers. How do I be sure the old herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme and basil) do not come back?

[@g.imperial8236]

Hi, I never knew about grow bags until I saw your video! I'm curious to try them, but just wondering, do you just let the water drain directly onto the deck? Or you make sure not to water them to that point?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I let them drain onto the deck! The deck has a drainage system underneath that runs to our gutters.

[@luciaregalado5573]

@@ChicagoGardener Don’t you worry about wood rot? I live in an apartment and I garden on my deck and I worry that having too much water on the deck over a period of time would weaken the wood structure.

[@juliet_burke]

Or you can use thick black trash bags. Put 2-3 together for even bigger thickness.

[@jimrenderer6627]

Well, this was very informative. However the video could have been a little longer ! This "spring" I'm using grocery store bags. The kind they sell for a dollar made from a type of canvas that is a bit larger than a 5 gallon bucketing . Sure, they're green with the stores logo & name on them, but I don't mind advertising for them. After all that's where we shop. Hope this is helpful to some beginner gardeners.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I will definitely make some longer videos this year! I’m always afraid I blab on too much 😂 The grocery bags are such a similar material to these grow bags, I feel like the color green would blend in nicely with the plants too.

[@lindastina]

Hi, would you give an update for using the canvas bag? I would like to buy the terracotta pots but they're kinda expensive and I'm not so sure using plastic pots...

[@jimrenderer2784]

@@lindastina Well Linda, the proof will be when my fingerling potatoes are ready for harvest. More info in about 2 months. I will say that it's a small investment in seed and soil, give it a try.

[@lindastina]

@@jimrenderer2784 thanks so much for the fast reply! I think I'll try it. I was looking for this, using canvas bag, but couldn't find it so I scrolled down the comments and found yours. Thanks so much!

[@dragonslayer5838]

Great video! I just started to use grow bags. As I was researching size and color, I came across a video where he did an experiment. He found that the plants grown in black bags grew bigger than the ones grown in the tan bags. He believes that the soil gets warmer with the darker bags. Have you experienced the same?

[@ChicagoGardener]

That’s so interesting and makes sense! I haven’t notice but also haven’t been looking for it. I’m using brown and black bags this year so I’ll have to see if I notice a difference!

[@cldtt]

Are you growing any berries or fruit trees? I want to grow blackberries & figs possibly in grow bags. One KZbin gardener said his palm tree’s roots burst out of the bottom as well as grew into the surrounding sides. His trees died from root damage when removing the bag. If I tried bags I think I’d just make slits from top to bottom & along the bottom & transfer the whole thing into the next container. Are they biodegradable?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I only grow annuals in my grow bags. I have raspberries and blueberries in 20” ceramic pots. I know some grow bag brands says they are biodegradable but I’ve never tested out transferring something in a grow bag to a container.

[@LydellAaron]

Great idea. What size bags for sweet potatoes? 20, 30 or 40 gallons

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’ve never grown sweet potatoes myself but I know others who have done it successfully in 20 gallon bags!

[@LydellAaron]

@@ChicagoGardener just literally got back from the gardening store that had 15 and 30 gallon cloth bags. So excited, thank you for your inspiration and reply.

[@rocdajacable]

Irresistible you are

[@jamesmcgarity614]

Do you know what size I need for cherry tomatoes and a medium size tomato, what kind of soil and fertilizer you use

[@ChicagoGardener]

I would do 10 gallon at the minimum for a tomato plant. I’ve used many brands of potting mix and they all work well. I do use a liquid fertilizer, fox farm, throughout the season as well.

[@hebrewoutdoors571]

Hi Bethany I like your video ,I also like your garden . I looked for 30 gallon grow bags for cheap and was able to find them want to grow small fruit trees this year please help 😆

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’ve never tried fruit trees, but dwarf fruit trees have been on my garden wish list! If you try growing them this year you’ll have to let me know how they do.

[@hebrewoutdoors571]

@@ChicagoGardener I have a fig tree that I bought from a nursery so I'll be in contact with you and let you know

[@atefbasha1809]

Hi!! Bethany 🍎🍉🍅🍓🍌🍞

[@philiphackett5059]

I was looking at the earth box System, which is a self watering pot.they are really expensive. I have seen Videos of using grow bags in side of a tray that Catches extra water,then the plant uses it when it needs it.have u ever used grow bags this way?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’ve thought about that but never tried it. I lost so many plants this spring to too much rain water I’d be nervous to do it, but maybe I’ll test it out during the summer when the temps are hotter.

[@philiphackett5059]

@@ChicagoGardener im thinking of trying it. Thanks for the video it was very helpful. What Brand of grow bags do you recomend.

[@Monkeybongoes]

Wondering if you could use gallon containers (from vinegar, for example) laid down inside the bag, with slits or small holes poked all around, fed by a pvc tube to keep the container full of water. The water would trickle out into the soil and get wicked to the roots. Going to try it w 25 gallon grow bags.

[@6atlantis]

Can I put my grow bags directly on my patio or do they need to be placed in something like a kiddie pool as I’ve heard some people do?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I leave mine directly on the deck. Not sure if that’s the best way to go but it’s worked so far for me!

[@jophillips2868]

Can you use the soil for more than one season?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I do! Especially in my large containers. I refresh each year with compost I get from our local garden center. I’ve done this for three years now and haven’t noticed any issue with the growth of the plants!

[@CyPhi68]

What do you do to add stakes in the bag to tie up plants like tomstoes?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I use plant cages in my grow bags!

[@CyPhi68]

@@ChicagoGardener Thank you.

[@norak3897]

Quick question: Do the grow bags allow water to sit against the wooden deck? I want to try them but concerned about wet bags sitting on a wood deck. thanks.

[@ChicagoGardener]

That’s a great question! I’d say the grow bags drain so quickly that the water never really pools on the deck and the material doesn’t stay super moist for long but to be extra safe you could place a saucer under them. I haven’t noticed any damage to the deck at this point from the grow bags over the last two years.

[@norak3897]

@@ChicagoGardener Thanks so much for answering. That has been my main concern since I learned of grow bags. I need to refresh the deck this year and, although it is an older deck, some boards will need to be replaced for soft spots. I just dont want to add more issues. Have put an order in for grow bags, and very much looking forward to trying them this year. Thanks again!

[@joanneginever1890]

@@norak3897 Know it's been some months since your comment but this info may still be of use to you. Look up wicking method for grow bags. Some people put their bags in a kiddie pool with about 1" water in the bottom for the plants to be watered from below. To avoid mozzies and slime building up in the pool, put a layer of pea gravel in the bottom of the pool which the bags sit on then add the water. The water will still wick up through the gravel. I bought a long plant "saucer" which will sit about 4 of the medium size bags in it, and plan to get some pea gravel to put in the bottom before getting things set up. This will keep your plants watered and not get water on your deck.

[@stephenantonicelli7069]

Do you place a container on bottom to hold water?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I don’t! All the water drains out and under the deck. I have had some people ask about damage to the deck and while o haven’t noticed anything yet, putting a saucer under the bag could help prevent that.

[@joanneginever1890]

Hi Stephen Know it's been some months since your comment but this info may still be of use to you. Look up wicking method for grow bags. Some people put their bags in a kiddie pool with about 1" water in the bottom for the plants to be watered from below. To avoid mozzies and slime building up in the pool, put a layer of pea gravel in the bottom of the pool which the bags sit on then add the water. The water will still wick up through the gravel. I bought a long plant "saucer" which will sit about 4 of the medium size bags in it, and plan to get some pea gravel to put in the bottom before getting things set up. This will keep your plants watered and not get water on your deck.

[@pearlbrown177]

Do you get enough sun up there?

[@ChicagoGardener]

Yep, full sun!

[@lisjohn4818]

Can one grow trees in fabric bags? I heared that they are only suitable for seasonal vegetables 😊

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’ve seen people do it but I never have. I only grow annuals in mine!

[@lisjohn4818]

Thank you dear

[@drunkviggo7263]

Can I grow Hibiscus flowers in grow bags ?

[@ChicagoGardener]

I think you can grow anything in a grow bag as long as it’s the right size for your plant!

[@justmeagain7259]

Wow I would love to fertilise your garden!💦🌸

[@ChicagoGardener]

I have a video on my channel going over what products I use! I usually add a slow release fertilizer when I plant and then I apply a liquid fertilizer about once a week to my hungry annuals.

[@thestahlfamilycircus7317]

Trying to decide if plastic is better because moisture will stay in better... 🧐

[@ChicagoGardener]

Any plants that need more moisture I put in plastic pots! I’m actually shifting more plants to grow bags this year though bc we get so much rain here that it’s caused root rot in some of my plants 😩

[@thestahlfamilycircus7317]

@@ChicagoGardener i also read that light colored bags is better than black. I'm excited to try it! I live near peoria. :)

[@ddubsr5886]

Can you please talk about how these are made in China with really cheap dyes that bleed into the soil and food. Even though they claim it’s bpa free they just lie so you buy their product. Thanks

[@aces7073]

The handles on the tan grow bags will disintegrate from the heat.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’ve only lost one handle so far but I can definitely see that happening with longer use.

[@elexiawilliams6164]

Have you grown carrots?

[@ChicagoGardener]

Not yet, but carrots and potatoes are on my “to grow” list for next year!

[@Anythingforfreedom]

I have 25 gallon pots that look way larger than your 30 gallon bags. I wonder if grow bags use a different metric for “gallons’’ than the plastic industry.

[@ChicagoGardener]

I’m not sure! I do find the camera makes pots look smaller than they are. The bags are about 30” in diameter.

[@jimfuqua3170]

OK if nobody else is going to say it then I guess it's up to me. You are so Dang pretty it's hard to watch your video. Nonetheless, I appreciate your video since I will be new to gardening and definitely new to using growbags.

[@chinatownboy7482]

Ai-Yah. Aunty. You should grow cannabis.

[@johnny0253]

DID you just repeat what every other youtubers said ?? glad to hear the same thing 100 times again..... how about talking about how many plants you can fit in a bag?? noone seemed to mention that

[@ChicagoGardener]

What you can fit in a bag depends on the plant and the size of bag. I talk more about that in videos focused on what I’m planting. What plants are you growing?

[@johnny0253]

@@ChicagoGardener i got 20 gallon grow bags...im growing criminal yellow zucchini...lipstick peppers, eggplants , basil, lettuce, .... trying to figure out how i can fit multiple plants in one pot without having to put out 100 grow bags lol..... seems like a waste to use all these pots for one plant..... i can just put them in the ground if thats the case....the only pro benefit i see with them is you get to use good fake store bought bagged soil.... i say fake cause its man made not real soil with rocks in it that sometimes can be compact clayish or ph off or not so well draining etc etc etc

[@ChicagoGardener]

I like the smaller size bc I can drag them around the garden. My 30 gallon bags are pretty much stuck where they’re at since I’m not strong enough to move them 😂