Drainage holes in pot

How do I stop the compost from washing out of the holes at the bottom of the pot.
Obviously I'm new to this

 

Traditionally, by using 'pot crocks' - i.e. putting in a layer of bits of broken flower pots, or other crockery, before you add the compost.

If you don't have any to hand, you could use a layer or so of newspaper instead.

 

I find in most cases it doesn't happen.

I usually put one crock over the central hole in a clay pot.

 

I use a layer of weed membrane plus some crocks. The weed membrane stops the compost washing out but is water permeable. It also helps to keep slugs and other pests from entering the compost from below.

 

I also use a layer of fabric for certain plants, and mainly if the pot's bigger and I've used other things to fill the space up a bit, but the crocks don't have to be from broken pots either. I use any broken plates/saucers, or bits of wood, slate, tile etc. The saucers/plates are good because they have a curve too. The important thing is to have them angled a bit so that there's virtually no chance of the soil/compost getting out, but it still leaves the hole clear enough to let excess water get through.
Like @pete, soil doesn't always fall through though, but it's more likely if it's just compost, as some are very flimsy, or a gritty mix. It tends to settle once the root system gets more sturdy though, and that prevents it getting through the holes, so it's often just at the early stages of something being planted up.
@Dropmore - just experiment with whatever you have. I had a couple of those small filters for using over plug holes, which weren't going to be any use for my sinks. I used both of those yesterday for two pots of crocus I planted up, and used a bit of old sheet which I cut up and put over them before filling. That does a similar job to landscape fabric or similar.

 

Thanks everyone I haven't got any broken pots or plates but I suppose I could always pick an argument with the wife while she's doing the dishes.
Any ways I'll have a look round see what I can find . I've got some stones the type you put down the edge of your patio and some plant fleece so I'll try them.

 

I often use bits of polystyrene packaging.

 

Thanks.
The stones aren't much good as they either fall through or block the hole's but I found an old plate and smashed that and like fairygirl said being curved it's perfect.
Thanks again.

 

Sometimes a pebble/small stone at one side of the hole, with another piece of wood, or tile etc, leaned against it and over the hole itself, is ideal. I often do that, but I have a ready supply of large gravel from my back garden to use, as it's all gravelled, which makes it easier to find a suitable one.
I use polystyrene too - saves it going to landfill.

 

I dug out a large planter, one of many left by the previous owner, and was surprised to find large pieces of polystyrene at the base, over the central hole.
But I guess it did the job. I removed them, and replaced with bits of a terracotta pot, broken by the "not so careful" removal men.

 

One of the TV gardeners a while ago said he used J cloths.

 

Coffee filters ?

 

I think they'd be quite good @infradig - as long as you aren't buying them just to use for pots! Or am I just too tight?

I've also used some of those 'wipes', which I clean after being used. I always have a pack to take with me when I'm hillwalking. I bring them home [obviously] and just give them a quick wash in some soapy water.

 

I always think it odd that gardening programs and magazines assume everyone has an endless supply of "old crocks". Maybe my mother's generation did...
I have tried stones and polystyrene, but now mostly cut up small squares of loose weave fabric. I had a piece of hessian (sackcloth) that was intended for some long forgotten project and that worked well. It was often re-usable after repotting too.

 

Put wet Sphagnum moss at the bottom.