I started them in 4 inch pots & i used 18 in deep swimming pools camafloged then sit in low place then put cedars around it & differnt stull to get it to blend in.I done this for years no digging lol.I have always had great results.I did use perlite vermiculte sand top soli and potting soil and couple other kinds soil with worm casings.I have 4 different kinds of plants,and like i said my 1st time ever having problems.I usually put the vermiculite in it because of the dry weather we usually have around july here.I let them get around 3 inches high before i put them out in the pools,they looked healty at that time & then we got alot rain like every couple days it would pour down i even went put more holes in the edge of the pools so it could drain good.It's getting around 12 to 16 hrs of sun so i'm alittle lost this year on why there not reaching for the sun & yellow looking experience tels me they seem to be to getting to much water but it's been dry here for about a week now and in the 80's.