[Pony Girl]

I would like to try growing some carrots in containers this year because our soil is quite heavy.

I’ve been looking for a suitable container but notice that the patio containers at our garden centre (which they say are suitable for veg) don’t have any holes in the bottom. Does this matter?

I know it seems like a silly question but alot of the larger pots I've found don't have holes in them so I wasn't sure!

[mumofstig]

I think it saves them money not to make the holes - easy enough for you to add them (assuming they're plastic)

[DD.]

Hot skewer time!

(Or soldering iron).

[Plot 6B]

I think it saves them money not to make the holes - easy enough for you to add them (assuming they're plastic)

You will often find small indentations where you can drill the holes. Be careful though as sometimes the container can split. I always put a block of wood under where I am going to drill.

[DD.]

And that's why I always burn my way though. The hot implement seals the edges.

[Pony Girl]

Thanks, both!

Why do they have to make it so hard for us?!

[jazzbyrd]

Sometimes I want a container without holes 

Jazz

[allot2learn]

2nd hand bath for my carrots this year, with a bit of gauze over the plug hole.

[angelavdavis]

Drill or hot screwdriver (a fierce anger usually helps with latter too!)

Alternatively, hammer and very large nail (careful if plastic is brittle it may break before piercing).

I have inherited an old, rusted bottomed loft water tank which I plan to top up with soil and grow some carrots in that.  I have successfully grown in half barrels though.

[DD.]

A screwdriver blade is hardened and tempered. It's good heated up for making holes, but don't expect it to function properly in future!

I note that the forceful methods come with a word of caution of cracking plastic. A hot implement is the only satisfactory way.

[allot2learn]

My favorite is a 2" nail held in a pair of pliers, and heated on a gas ring...................

Knife through butter.

[angelavdavis]

A screwdriver blade is hardened and tempered. It's good heated up for making holes, but don't expect it to function properly in future!

I note that the forceful methods come with a word of caution of cracking plastic. A hot implement is the only satisfactory way.

Most of my tools come from Poundland unless they were dug up on the plot    

DD is right though, don't use your Dad's best screwdriver set if you want him to speak to you again (Doh!)

[Annen]

I would like to try growing some carrots in containers this year because our soil is quite heavy.

I’ve been looking for a suitable container but notice that the patio containers at our garden centre (which they say are suitable for veg) don’t have any holes in the bottom. Does this matter?

I know it seems like a silly question but alot of the larger pots I've found don't have holes in them so I wasn't sure!

I use salad grow sacks (like the potato ones but shallower) and roll the sides down to the depth I want.

[Kajazy]

I use those garden large plastic flex tubs with holes hammered into the bottom with a nail - they're a bit cheaper than pots, and the plastic's not so brittle.

[Auntiemogs]

Thanks, both!

Why do they have to make it so hard for us?!

I think they're just giving us the option of hole/no hole.  Was chuffed when I found my Aldi growbag trays had no holes, just markings.  Means that I can use them indoors (no holes) or outdoors (holes).