If my soils are heavy and do not drain well, can I use the 5-Gallon Grounders above ground?

Yes, Simply set the container on the surface of the soil and fill with a soilless mix. As roots grow out the holes in the ledges in the sides, they will be air-root-pruned. Yet the roots that grow through the holes in the bottom will extend into the soil below and both anchor the plant and accelerate growth. Another technique that works well on heavy soils is to set the 5-gallon Grounder™ on the soil and surround the containers with a good mulch that drains well. This could be pine bark, wood chips or simply sand. This mulch material allows roots to grow out and speed plant growth and insulates the roots in the containers from excess heat and cold. This procedure is working well for a RootMaker® grower in the Chicago, Illinois area.