Table of Contents
How deep should a window flower box be?
A minimum of 8 inches in depth and 8 inches from front to back is required to have enough room for a selection of plants. Larger–say a foot in depth and width–is even better, particularly if you want to include a lot of plants and want them to fill out enough to overflow the box.
What do you put in the bottom of a window box?
In addition to drilled holes, stones and gravel are essential to proper drainage of windowboxes. Put a two- to three-inch layer of pea gravel or pebbles in the bottom of the planter. This will allow water to filter through the soil and gravel before passing through the drilled holes.
What wood is best for window boxes?
Because of their rot-resistant qualities, cedar and redwood are two of the best choices of wood for window boxes. Smooth high-grade cedar has a fine grain that looks good natural or stained.
Do flower boxes need drainage holes?
Holes in the bottom of the planter are essential for proper drainage. The holes give the excess water an escape route so it doesn’t stay in the soil. Many flower pots come with only one drainage hole. If the container is made from a material you can drill, add two or three more drainage holes.
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.
Should you put rocks at the bottom of a planter?
This is false. Putting gravel, rocks, or other layers of material in your plant pots, planters, or containers with drainage holes does NOT improve potting soil drainage, it instead increases the water saturation level that leads to root rot.
How do you keep wooden flower boxes from rotting?
The best way to prevent deck planters from rotting is with a liner. Lining a wood planter prevents water and fungi from contacting the wood. Preventing rotting by separating that which is good for the plants, water and fungi from the wood.
What do you line a wooden planter with?
To protect the wood, line the planter inside with plastic, such as old plastic compost bags, fixing it with small nails. Make drainage holes before filling it with compost.
What do you put in the bottom of a wooden planter?
Place a sheet of plastic or metal screen cloth over the entire bottom of the pot to keep drainage holes open. Alternatively, put shards of broken flowerpot or other pottery over the holes.
How many flowers should I plant in a window box?
Traditional planting is when you allow enough room between plants that the planter looks full after 2 to 3 weeks of additional growth. Generally I would use 3 or maybe 4 plants in 10 or 12-inch planters, 4 to 6 plants in a 14 to 16-inch planter and Six to 8 plants in an 16 to 20-inch planter and so on.
What can I put in flower boxes besides flowers?
Succulents: While many succulents work perfectly in flower boxes, we love the succulents known as houseleeks or hens and chicks. Serving as ground cover within the flower box, they grow to resemble tufted rosettes and add architectural interest to your arrangement.
Can you plant perennials in window boxes?
If gardening isn’t your thing or if money is an issue, perennials are the perfect choice for window boxes. In the right climate and environment, they can survive through the winter and grow back the following spring. In climates with light frosts, your perennial choices may seem endless.
Is pine good for planter boxes?
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.
Do window boxes cause rot?
Check for Damage The first place to look for damage is the window box itself. Boxes made of wood will eventually deteriorate and rot. Wooden boxes will last for several years when made with moisture-resistant cedar or redwood, but even they will rot eventually.
How do you install a window box without drilling?
The most common method for attaching window boxes to the side of the house involves using screws, but if you have vinyl siding, bypass the drilling by using vinyl siding hooks. Slide the hooks into the seam of the siding, and you’re ready to hang your planter.
How do you keep a window box from falling down?
To stop your window boxes falling off, always make sure they’re secured. Metal brackets bolted to the wall can extend your windowsills, as well as help to secure the containers. You could also screw eyelets into the wall each side of the window box, then tie in the window box with some strong wire.
How do you plant in a wooden planter box?
Directions: Line the entire wooden box with black plastic. Add an inch of the small pebbles or rocks to the bottom of the box to filter the water. Fill the box with an organic potting soil mix. Arrange the flowers making sure to give enough room for plants to grow.
Are petunias good for window boxes?
Trailing petunias are one of the most popular plants for window boxes. They grow best in a position that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day and they can tolerate hot temperatures and humidity. Petunias come in a wide range of colors including purple, pink, red, yellow and white.
How often should you water window boxes?
Frequent watering is the most important part of caring for plants in window boxes. As with most containers, window boxes will need to be watered at least once a day.
