@tennbee I use to have a big garden and canned all my vegies,fruits , Our son was allergic to dyes,preservatives . I had an assortment of things to keep the pest away. Snail-a saucer of beer ,Dried blood ,animals wont go over this to get to garden, Lyme on leaves ,Hair ,deer wont go near it . The soap mixture is good also to spray on leaves don't forget the underside . Just a few tips I used in my garden. Hope some of this helps

@tennbee The idea of using plastic bottles, foam blocks, packing peanuts is primarily to make the pot lighter and use less soil. (You know how heavy a extra large pot can get when filled with soil, plants and water) Years ago I took a class at a garden center on flower arranging and a master gardener showed us how to use milk jugs and 20 oz. soda bottles and foam peanuts. Put the filler material of your choice in the bottom of the pot.Cut a piece of landscape fabric or fine screen, fit in place, add soil and plants.
My next project is to make a fountain out of a jumbo planter I have in my garage. It's a beautiful turquoise blue planter fountain kit I bought at Lowes for under $40. I can't wait to relax on my lanai to the sound of bubbling water!

@tennbee : Pebbles / rocks / potting shards work for small or medium pots. I am talking about 5 to 10 gallon patio pots, with annual plants in them. Putting rocks in them defeats the purpose of making them lightweight, and movable. And I have not yet found an organic material that simulates the efficient use of plastic bottles or similar for ANNUAL, ORNAMENTAL, plants grown in pots on the patio, e.g. I save my environmental and natural pesticide approach for edibles.