As spring rolls around again, many people take to the outdoors. You may want to plant flowers and vegetables. This is a great way to offset the expense of groceries.
Still, you need to know how to plant tomatoes and potatoes, as well as others. Many people choose traditional plastic pots or put the plants in the ground. However, there is another way.
We are going to help you choose the best grow bags for your vegetables and plants. That way, you can garden a better way. First, we are going to explain the advantages of using them over plastic pots.
You can find pots almost anywhere, including grocery stores. Plus, you can create them with household items, such as old milk jugs. Therefore, many people wonder why they should buy grow bags instead.
With pots, the roots of your plants often grow in circular patterns and get tangled up. This can cause water stagnation and oxygenation problems, especially in bigger containers without the right drainage. The roots reach the edge and continue growing.
This also leads to structural damage of the plant. They can’t get the nutrients they need to thrive and grow. Plus, the stem can also get compressed, further hindering nutrient intake.
Grow bags can alleviate the problem. When the roots come into contact with the edges of your fabric pot, they can tell the soil is dry and exposed to air. They know they’ve reached the growth limit.
Temperature Control
Plastic pots get very hot when sitting in direct sunlight in summer. They aren’t breathable, so they trap the heat, which can burn the plants. Grow bags are breathable and can help regulate temperatures.
Watering Needs
Yes, grow bags are porous, so they need to be watered more frequently. Still, it’s harder to over-water the plants because extra moisture is wicked away. Traditional pots need less water, but it’s also easy to over-water them.
Storage
With traditional plastic/ceramic pots, you have to store them. It’s hard to do this because they may not stack right. Plus, they can be an eyesore and can take up a lot of space in your shed or garage.
Often, they get chipped and broken because of improper storage. Grow bags don’t have such issues. All you have to do is fold them up and keep them in a dry, cool place until the next season.
Plus, they are very light-weight and come with handles. It’s so easy to move them to a different location. This works well if you decide your plants need more or less sunlight.
The 10 Best Grow Bags For Potatoes, Tomatoes, Vegetables & Plants
Check out the table below to find quick information about the products we discuss here. Then, scroll to the ones you want to know more about!
The 247Garden brand features a variety of grow bag sizes. You can choose from 1-, 2-, 3-, 7-, 10-, 15-gallon bags. They also come in black, white, or tan colors.
They are fabric pots that allow the roots to breathe and grow much better. You are sure to see more plant growth and improved yields.
Of course, there is also a decreased risk of shock when transplanting your potatoes or tomatoes. This gives your plants an improved root structure overall.
With this product, you can plant your garden in winter, as well as summer. The plants stay warm during the cold months and cooler in summer. Also, the roots aren’t going to grow in circular patterns, which keeps them healthier.
This means they produce more fruit. You can choose the size that best fits your needs. We are going to discuss the best sizes for potatoes and tomatoes later in this guide, as well.
2. VIVOSUN Plant Grow Bags
The VIVOSUN brand also comes in a variety of sizes from 1-, 2-, and 3-gallon up to 30-gallon sizes. The fabric material is quite sturdy. In fact, it is made of thickened and nonwoven fabric.
Therefore, the pots are somewhat permeable. Plus, they do not contain BPA and are environmentally-friendly.
With the nonwoven fabric, the pots aren’t going to retain extra water. This allows the plant roots to breathe. Therefore, you get healthier and more vigorous growth.
You also get handles with the grow bag, and they are reinforced for more durability. This brand uses serging stitches, which can support the weight of the soil.
If that weren’t enough, the grow bags are portable. With the heavy-duty handles and rugged material, you can move them, even if they are full of plants and soil.
While these bags only come in black, it is designed to match any décor. Plus, you can put them into large pots if you so desire.
3. WINNER OUTFITTERS Grow Bags
While many brands only give you one bag, WINNER OUTFITTERS gives you a six-pack. You can find 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-gallon sizes. They are all black in color.
Each of the bags is made using a nonwoven fabric that is of high quality. The handles are also built right into the grow bag. This makes it easy to transport the bag full of soil.
If you find it needs to go somewhere else for more or less sunlight, it’s easy to do. Just pick up the entire fabric pot, and you are good to go.
Though the bag is circular, it prevents the roots from circling because of the breathability of the bag. The root structure of the plant is also air pruned. Your plant roots sense when they are getting close to the air and stop growing.
Plus, you can move the grow bags inside during winter. The bag itself keeps your plants warm in winter and cool in the summertime.
If you’re looking for something that comes in many sizes and colors, the Garden4Ever brand might be right for you. It comes in 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, and 30-gallon sizes. Colors include black with green around the edges, completely black, and dark green.
Plus, you also get five grow bags, regardless of the size. Therefore, you can, essentially, grow five different items, making it an excellent addition to your garden. Of course, you can plant almost anything, including fruit trees, perennials, and orchids.
Naturally, you are going to get air pruning with the grow bags. This means that when roots sense air, they stop growing and know their limits. There is also more temperature stability, better soil-to-moisture retention, and more.
That means you get bigger plants that produce more. The product is made of 300g of nonwoven fabric. Therefore, the bags stand upright without stakes, and it can be filled easily by yourself, as well.
5. Gardzen Grow Bags
The Gardzen brand is an excellent product. While most brands have many of the same features, this one gives you 10 packs, which is much more than the others.
Still, you get the durable, high-quality nonwoven fabric. It feels ‘fluffy’ with a good feeling in the hand.
Plus, you can wash them and reuse them. This means they are environmentally friendly and can save you money.
These bags are designed to let in air and provide aeration that the plants need. Plus, there is enough room for the roots to grow without swirling or growing in a circle. Therefore, the plants have healthier root balls.
With the woven design, you have good drainage. That means you don’t have to worry as much about over-watering the plants. If that weren’t enough, you get faster growth and more abundant plants because the roots can breathe.
When you want to move the plant, it’s easy. Just pick up the bag with the handles and move the plants and soil wherever you want them to be.
6. HONEST OUTFITTERS Smart Grow Bags
With the HONEST OUTFITTERS brand, you get a five-pack of grow bags. They are designed for potatoes and other plants. You can find many sizes, including 3-, 7-, 10-, and 15-gallons.
These are better than a plastic container because they feature nonwoven fabric. The plants can breathe better, so the roots can grow without going circular.
Of course, they are environmentally friendly, too. This means you can use them all summer, and they aren’t going to degrade. In fact, you can reuse them each season.
If you’ve grown the plant as a seedling and are transplanting it, you can reduce transplant shock. This also works if you decide to move the plant inside or elsewhere. The bag handles make it easier to move wherever you want it.
You’re going to find that the bags are easy to use. Just add some soil, plant your tomato or potato plant, and water it. Of course, you can add fertilizer if you desire.
7. Viagrow Nursery Grow Bags
Most grow bags look the same, but the Viagrow brand has done something different. These bags are white and feature holes in the bottom. They come in a variety of sizes, including 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 10-, 20-, and 30-gallon.
You can also find various amounts, such as 25, 50, or 100 packs. The construction is highly durable and thick. However, they are not designed to be reused.
They are, however, a low-cost alternative to using ceramic and plastic pots. Many greenhouse growers use them for top feed and drip irrigation applications.
These bags can stand upright when you use media bags and put the soil in. The insides are black with a white exterior. This is to help reflect light to the garden.
There are also drainage holes at the bottom. This is ideal for roots that love oxygen. Plus, you don’t have to worry about overwatering the plants as much, though it is still a possibility, and you want to be careful.
8. VIVOSUN Square Grow Bags
While many grow bags are circular, this one from VIVOSUN is square. It features 260g of nonwoven fabric. Plus, the form allows you to garden using square footage to keep weeding to the bare minimum.
That way, you can garden, even if you don’t have a lot of space to do so. Because each bag contains one plant, you don’t have to worry about them overlapping each other or vying for sunlight.
These bags come with handles that feature double stitching. Therefore, you can start the planting process inside and move them outdoors when they are ready. It’s also possible to move them around to catch the sunlight.
The nonwoven fabric means that the roots can breathe and are pruned by the air. They stop growing when they sense that they have reached the edge of the bag. This means the roots don’t circle, and they can absorb nutrients more efficiently.
Of course, the bags allow moisture to come through. Therefore, you don’t have to fear over-watering problems with the plants. Plus, it prevents mold from forming in the soil.
9. Upstreet Potato Planter Bags
If you hope to grow potatoes, the Upstreet planter bags are ideal. Plus, you can use them for other vegetables, as well. It comes with an access flap, so you can get to the produce much easier without having to remove the soil or plant.
Of course, the bags are designed to last and are going to meet all of your needs. The handles and materials are heavy-duty, so they are ready when you are.
Another great thing about these grow bags is that they are reusable. You can use them every season. Plus, they are easy to store.
Even so, the bags are biodegradable. They are going to disintegrate with time, but this is good for the environment. You don’t have to worry about throwing away something that is going to sit in a landfill for many decades.
These bags are highly functional and versatile. You can use them for both indoor and outdoor planting needs. Plus, they work for sunrooms, balconies, patios, and other small spaces.
10. Smart Pots Big Bag Bed Fabric Raised Bed
While most of the products listed here are bags, this one is actually a raised bed. The Smart Pots brand comes in three sizes (original, junior, and mini). All you have to do is unfold it, fill it with soil, and add your plants.
It’s considered an easy way to grow, and it looks great in the garden or backyard. The raised bed is made of fabric, which is tough and waterproof. You get a full 14 square feet of space to grow.
The one caveat here is that you must consider spacing. When planting your potatoes and tomatoes, you need to ensure that there is enough room so that they can all breathe and get enough nutrients.
Still, you get all of the benefits of grow bags. For instance, this product air prunes the roosts like all of the others. It also regulates temperature, reduces mold growth, and stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria, making it ideal for a variety of gardeners.
What Size Grow Bags for Tomatoes?
In most cases, grow bags hold between 9 and 10.5 gallons of soil. This is the lowest amount that you need to grow a tomato plant. Often, tomato plants flourish when they have 15 to 25 gallons of space in which to spread.
What Size Grow Bags for Potatoes?
The size of the grow bag you need for potatoes can vary based on many factors. You need to ensure that there is enough room to produce the tubers. Therefore, you may want to go with the largest container you can find.
Often, this is about 30 gallons. One pound of seed potatoes is going to produce a good tuber crop in a 30- or 45-gallon grow bag.
You can also split up a pound of seeds and put them in 20- to 25-gallon grow bags. If you only want a small harvest, you can plant one-quarter- or a half-pound of seeds in a 10- or 20-gallon container.
How to Use Grow Bags for Plants?
Once you have figured out the size you need, you can order the right grow bags. It is often best to use some clay pebbles in the bottom of the bag. This can help with drainage.
You must also buy the right soil for the type of plant you’re growing. Now, add the soil. It’s possible to use compost-style soil or choose something recommended by the grow-bag manufacturer.
Fill the bag almost all the way, leaving just a few inches at the top of it. Now, you should shake the bag gently to distribute the soil and shape the container. Don’t shake too much because you don’t want the soil compacted.
Bags made of nonwoven fabric are going to expel excess moisture. However, if you’re using a plastic bag or something else, you may want to add drainage holes in the bottom of it.
Scoop some of the soil out of the bag and add your plant. The entire root should be covered with soil once it is planted correctly. If your plant has a root ball, insert it into the space and make sure it’s fully covered.
Now, place the grow bag in an area that is going to see the most sunlight. Make sure you read the directions on the plant to determine how much sun it needs throughout the day. Handles are an excellent accessory at this point!
The next step is to water the plant. Make sure that you thoroughly water it. Generally, grow bags need more water than plants in pots.
It’s important to check the bag daily. Add more water anytime you see that the soil has dried out or is drying out. Usually, fabric bags have to be watered more often than a plastic one.
At the end of the growing season, you can store the bag. Remove the soil from it. If the soil seems healthy, you can also reuse it. Just store it in an airtight container once it is completely dry.
For the bag, make sure to wash it thoroughly to remove all of the soil. Let it dry thoroughly to avoid mold growth. Then, store your grow bags in a dry place until you need it again.
We have talked about 10 different grow bags in this review. You have learned about what grow bags are, why they are beneficial, and how to choose the best size. Of course, now is the time to find a winner.
While all of the bags seemed to work well and had few issues, we were quite impressed with the raised bed by Smart Pots. Many products could only house one plant. Even though you got up to 10 bags, we liked this product because you just rolled it out, filled it with soil, and plant your vegetables.
You say in the report that these bags are environmentally-friendly. How? They’re made of plastic and just because it’s labeled as BPA-free doesn’t mean it doesn’t have other chemicals and endocrine disruptors. Is it lead free? Why not mention that? I’m much more concerned about lead in my food than BPA. Please look up the word “greenwashing” then re-consider your post. These are not environmentally friendly. These plastic fibers break down and put microplastics into our environment and oceans. Perpetuating this misinformation on your website is harmful.
Great information! I’m si excited to start my bag grow garden.
You say in the report that these bags are environmentally-friendly. How? They’re made of plastic and just because it’s labeled as BPA-free doesn’t mean it doesn’t have other chemicals and endocrine disruptors. Is it lead free? Why not mention that? I’m much more concerned about lead in my food than BPA. Please look up the word “greenwashing” then re-consider your post. These are not environmentally friendly. These plastic fibers break down and put microplastics into our environment and oceans. Perpetuating this misinformation on your website is harmful.
I think some are made with felt.
You did not mention the dimensions of the bags. I am looking for 5 gallon bags that are taller than they are round.
Hello, I think we should talk about cooperation, we are a Chinese manufacturer specializing in the production of planting bags