Does it matter if you drill drain holes on the bottom edge or on the bottom of the pot?

General Gardening
1

I have to drill some holes in 5 gallon pails for fig trees. My pots that I buy have the drain holes on the edge of the bottom, but nothing underneath.

Does it matter if you drill drain holes on the bottom edge or on the bottom of the pot?

2

I prefer to drill holes on the side of the pail near the bottom. A hole in the bottom of the pail or pot gives ants and earwigs a easy entrance to build a nest or home inside without being noticed.
Seems like less dirt is washed out also when the holes are on the sides. I make mine with the holes about 1/2 inch up from the bottom, allowing a small amount of water to accumulate in the bottom.

2 Likes
3

Thanks, makes sense. Do you think that residual water in the bottom would cause root rot with figs?

4

Side-holes also allow better drainage than bottom holes where the pot is placed flush on cement or any other hard, snug surface.

5

@Zone6 sorry, I don’t have any experience growing figs, so that I don’t have an answer for.