What is the difference that makes you prefer the Geopots? I've seen both and they appear to be pretty much the same thing. I considered 10 gal pots and both companies' pots are 16" diameter and 12" tall. Do you feel the Geo's are made better or are made from heavier fabric? TY.
10-gallon Smartpot vs 10-gallon Geopot
I went down to the room tonight and took some photos.
Notes on measurements:
Diameter was measured with a ruler on these actual pots at what looked like the widest point trying to avoid the plants.
Soil depth was measured with a ruler outside the pot and a good guess with help of my fingers.
Although soil is not measured in liquid gallons, almost noone in the USA knows what a dry weight gallon actually is. (It's smaller than both a peck and a gallon milk jug.) I calculated capacity with the formula pi x radius squared x soil depth in cubic inches then converted to US liquid gallons.
Smartpot Size and capacity - I measured the Smartpot as 17" in diameter and 8.5" high at the sides. The actual and optimum soil depth was 7.5" for a capacity of 7.8 (liquid) US Gallons. Assuming I could fill soil up to 8.5", this would be 8.35 (liquid) gallons.
Geopot Size and capacity - I measured the Geopot as 15" in diameter and 13" high at the sides. The soil depth was 10" but optimally would be 12" for a capacity of 9.2 (liquid) US Gallons. Assuming I could fill soil up to 13", this would be 9.9 (liquid) gallons.
Smartpot construction - The side piece raises up to form cut out handles above the usable rim of the pot. The side piece has a seam where it joins a circular bottom and another seam to finish up the side of the pot. The overall shape is smoothly cylindrical. The sides are stuffed tight below the soil line and baggy and floppy above.
Geopot construction - The side piece is folded and stitched at the top. Handles are seperate nylon straps that fall below the rim. The side piece overlaps itself and is double stitched twice. The base is square - I did not take note of how it joins to the sides. The overall shape is square morphing into cylindrical. The sides are slightly wrinkly and baggy below the soil line and smooth above.
I have been growing in theGeopot for about 12 months and the Smartpot for about 9 months.The Geopot shows evidence of water wicking up the sides not visible on the Smartpot.
Moving a Smartpot vs a Geopot
Picking up a Smartpot has a feel and effect on the soil similar to a plastic grocery bag. The bag has little structure. The soil gets pressed in at the top of the bag and settles lower into the bag when you move it. Setting the bag down shifts the pressure so the bottom presses up and top settles outward. Picking up and moving a Smartpot creates a gap around the inside of the rim and generally compacts the soil. Moved while holding dry soil, I have seen cracks form 2/3 the width of the Smartpot.
Picking up a Geopot has a feel and effect on the soil similar to a paper grocery bag. The bag has a structure that wants to stand up by itself. Unlike paper grocery bags, Geopot handles can hold a full weight.The soil gets lifted and set down with loss of pressure on the bottom when lifted and very little shifting inside. Any air gaps in the side walls remain air gaps. Setting the bag back down adds pressure to the bottom. The soil is not noticeably compacted and the inside of the rim does not form gaps.
Side by side detail of the soil line
The two labels sewn into the side seams. Note the round vs square bottoms.
