Sorry if these seem like stupid questions; this seems like an interesting concept, and if it will work, I'll try it. The most expensive part of container gardening for me is the soil that goes in the containers. If I can stretch it out via this method, I'd like to know if it's feasible, if it works (if so why or why not).

I read somewhere that some people will fill their containers about a third of the way with packing peanuts, and that the reason for doing so is so that they don't have to fill up the container with as much soil. Basically they do so, to stretch the soil out. Is there anybody here who has done this? Will it hurt the plants being grown in the containers?

Will it impede the draining, aeration and/or ventilation of the soil in the containers?