Table of Contents
What kind of wood should I use for a planter box?
Cedar, white oak and redwood naturally resist termites and other insects. They stand up very well to the elements and last season after season. They can, however, require more upfront investment. Soft woods such as pine work best for indoor planters.
Do I need to line a wooden planter box?
You need to line your planter box if it’s made from wood or metal. The liner will help prolong the planter’s life. You don’t need to use a liner if the planter is made using plastic, ceramic, or concrete as they are quite durable by themselves.
Is it cheaper to build your own planter box?
Building raised planter boxes is very easy, and usually more cost effective than purchasing them.
Can I use pressure treated wood for a planter box?
Yes, the “new” pressure treated wood is safe for use for raised garden frames with a few precautions! Up until 2003, the most common preservative used for pressure treated wood was chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a compound using arsenic as its primary rot protectant.
Can I use pine for planter box?
Pine. Natural, untreated pine can also be used to build planters, but it must be sealed to make it resistant to weathering, rot and fungus. Pine is also soft, which makes it vulnerable to nicks, gouges and other damage.
Should I put rocks at the bottom of my planter?
A: For years, experts told gardeners to put a layer of gravel, pebbles, sand or broken pieces of pot in the bottom of the pot before potting up houseplants or outdoor plants. The idea was to improve drainage. But research shows that this advice is wrong. Water doesn’t travel well from one medium to another.
How do I keep my wood planter from rotting?
With a putty knife, apply roofing cement to the inside of the planter. This will protect the wood from water and keep it from rotting. Cover the drain holes in the bottom with landscape fabric to keep the soil from washing out. Finally, fill your planter with a good quality potting soil.
How do you seal untreated wood for planter boxes?
Raw linseed oil, derived from the flax plant, is a perfect, natural alternative when it comes to wood treatment if you’re trying to avoid chemical sealants that could end up harming your plants. Applying this linseed oil to untreated wood will increase its water-repellant properties, and help weatherproof it.
How deep should a planter box be?
For most plants, a 6-to 8-inch-deep planter box is sufficient. The depth may vary for some vegetables, however. Turnips, cucumbers, broccoli, beets, lettuce and green onions can all grow well in a planter box at that depth, but other vegetables, like cabbage, need a deeper depth of at least 10 inches.
What is the best way to line a wooden planter?
Line the entire planter with a sheet of plastic, trimming it so that it reaches but does not go over the rim. Staple the plastic all the way around the rim. Using a screwdriver or sharp stick, poke through the drilled drainage holes to let excess water drain out of the plastic liner.
Can I use untreated wood for raised beds?
Wood is one of the most common material for use in raised beds. Untreated pine or spruce (whether heat-treated or kiln-dried) are good, inexpensive options. Unlike pressure-treated lumber, untreated or heat-treated wood contains no questionable chemical compounds that may leach into the soil within the bed.
What is better pressure treated wood or cedar?
When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. It’s highly resistant to insect attack and rot, and special versions rated for “ground contact” can be buried in soil and will continue to shrug off decay for decades.
How toxic is pressure treated wood?
Is Pressure-Treated Wood Safe? Yes, pressure-treated wood is safe for use in everything from raised garden beds to children’s playhouses. Before 2003, pressure-treated lumber was often treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a preservative containing some amount of poisonous arsenic.
What is the best wood to use for raised beds?
In most cases, cedar is the best wood to use for garden beds because cedar is naturally rot resistant. Western red cedar is commonly used, but white cedar, yellow cedar and juniper are also high-quality choices for outdoor construction projects.
How long will untreated pine last raised beds?
Type of Wood Untreated lumber, such as pine, is the least durable and is not recommended. It will warp and begin to rot within three to five years.
How long will untreated wood last in raised beds?
How Long Will Untreated Wood Last in Raised Beds? The longevity of untreated wood used for a raised garden bed depends largely on its exposure to the elements. Most wood species can last between 5 to 15-years outside. Wood deteriorates quickly if exposed to water/moisture and sunlight.
What do you fill planter boxes with?
Possibilities include crushed aluminum cans, plastic milk jugs, plastic water bottles, plastic soda pop bottles and crunched, empty potting soil and soil amendment bags. Upending a stack of nursery pots inside a planter box also works well.
Do planters need drainage?
Whether your potted plants are indoors or outdoors, proper drainage is an essential element to ensure they stay healthy. This process keeps water from pooling at the base of the pot, which can cause bacteria, fungus and root rot.
Do wooden planters need drain holes?
A wooden planter should have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water-logged soil. If the holes are too large, though, some of the soil itself may be washed out of the container, so cover the bottom of the planter with landscaping fabric to prevent soil loss.
