We talk a lot on this blog about how to get value out of your home by working on small, affordable and easy projects yourself, rather than throwing things away and then buying replacements. For those of you with a green thumb and a daily regimen of time and effort spent in the backyard, here is a handy tip that many amateur gardeners forget.

Although the great secret to plant success is surely consistent nutrition through water, the truth is that this isn’t the whole part of the secret. Yes, water is essential to the health of your plants. They get thirsty, and this need for water grows tremendously if you live in an environment where the weather temperature goes up in the summer. But is it enough to just say, water your plants every single day when it gets hot or when they get droopy?

The truth is, the plants in your backyard, especially those you’ve planted in pots, do need water — but really, they need proper drainage for that water. The basic idea here is that the water flows down through the dirt towards the bottom of the pot when you water your plants. For potted plants that feature a hole in the bottom, this excellent drainage allows the water to completely flow through. The roots “chase” the water down toward the bottom of the pot, as they grow — so if the pots you are using do not have drainage holes in the bottom, you’re potentially stunting the growth of the plant, or even endangering the plant’s health due to root rot caused by insufficient drainage.

The answer is not to throw out old pots that didn’t have drainage holes in them. If you have old terra cotta pots, then simply follow these instructions to get them working to maximum efficiency. Turn the pot upside down, preferably on a soft surface like the dirt, the grass, or a blanket on the patio. Get a masonry drill bit from the hardware store, if you don’t already have one in the tool box. Cover the bottom of the pot where you will drill the hole with a piece of masking or duct tape to ensure no cracking. First, tap a small “pilot” hole with a hammer and a nail, making sure not to hammer too hard, or you’ll quickly crack the entire pot. Then, drill through the bottom of the pot with the masonry bit until you’ve gone completely through. Just like that, you’ve got a brand new, properly drain-able pot!

(Image Credit: Matty Byloos)