Do You Think It Was Wrong That My Sister, And I Took Two 5 Gal Buckets Of Rocks From The River Shore?

[Cindy1302]

My sister, and I were planting some tomatoes. She said that we should cover the bottom of the pots with rock. I guess it helps the water filter better I guess. So we went to the river with two 5 gal buckets. We took some shovels and skimmed the surface of the shore, Because underneath the rocks we wanted, it was just sand. When we were done, it didn't really look like we touched it. No holes or anything. Just small divots. I talked to my dad on the phone, and he was like "you shouldn't have done that, because if you take too much, then it can mess up the ecosystem. He explained how, but I forgot.

[Smowball]

No.

[Buenchico]

If you were here in the UK, it could get expensive!
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cornwall-beach-pebbles-steal-man-crackington-haven-bude-prosecution-a8502861.html

[Moorea7]

I don't know about rivers but people can face prosecution for taking sand/stones from beaches in UK.

[Chipchopper]

The rocks placed in the pots to assist with drainage, maybe you could have used some old broken pottery/crocks or collected some stones from the garden.

Some countries have laws to protect erosion of the countryside

[Prudie]

I don't know but have you and your sister considered going into professional sport as powerlifters? Most females would struggle to even lift a 5 gallon bucket full of rocks or stones.

 

[1ozzy]

Not the females I know Prudie,,

[Old_Geezer]

Adding stuff to the bottom of the pot, under the soil, for drainage purposes, doesn't seem to do much anyway. Most I've found is maybe the soil is less likely to drop out the base initially, but that's about it.

[Ringlet]

Yes, I think what you and your sister did was wrong.

I think you realise it was wrong, butyou are hoping that people on here will salve your conscience for you. 

[naomi24]

Take only photographs - leave only footprints.

[Gill1941]

Yes, it was wrong. What if everybody did it?!

[juliecarlstan]

 I don't think what you did was wrong. Everything in the world is Connected and Constantly Moving. A shift, so to say, but is just fine..here in Montana it is a part of Native American culture to give to the Earth, a gift of tobacco, before taking sage. Give and take, connectedness...maybe when your tomato plants have given harvest and you are done with them you could bury the used plant? using a sharp ended shovel to chop the plant while burying? push it kinda deep, and it will break down, eventually enriching the soil. Hope this may work, a little give and a little take :)