QA

How To Build A Planter Box For A Deck

Can you put a planter box on a deck?

Built-in deck planter boxes often are made with the same material as the decking. One method is to add drainage holes in the bottom of your liner and attach a drainage hose that channels water to below your deck and out wherever is convenient.

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.

How do I keep my pots from rotting on my deck?

5 Ways to Prevent Deck Staining from Container Gardens 1.) Opt for Hanging Planters and Deck Planters. 2.) Place Potted Plants on Plant Stands. 3.) Elevate Off Surface with Pot Feet or Risers. 4.) Frequently Change Your Pot Placement. 5.) Keep up with Regular Deck Maintenance.

What do you put under planters on a deck?

Use something called pot feet Aliases of pot risers & deck protectors…. These are usually stone, concrete, or pottery and they simply sit under the pot holding it up about an inch from the ground so that drainage holes remain clear and airflow is allowed under the pot.

Is pressure treated wood safe for planter boxes?

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.

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.

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.

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 do you put in the bottom of a planter for drainage?

Put a layer of gravel in your plant’s drainage tray, or down inside a decorative planter, then sit your plant pot on top. The gravel will hold water and increase humidity, while keeping your plant’s roots up out of the puddle. Gravel comes in handy when sitting a plant inside a decorative planter.

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.

How do you secure a straddle planter?

Straddle-Style Planters Simply place the concave center on a railing with the two longer sides extending below the railing. This is a fairly secure attachment system, although someone bumping into the planter with a lot of force could dislodge it and push it off the railing.

How do you hang a planter box on a balcony?

Drill holes in the wood and insert plastic wall anchors into each hole for added strength. Place the holes one inch from the top of the box at six inch intervals horizontally. Screw the hooks into the wall anchors with the open part of the hook facing down. Hang the flower box on the top rail of the balcony.

How do you line a wooden planter box?

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.

Do plant pots need feet?

All Containers Need a Little Elevation ‘Pot feet’ help lift a pot or container off of the ground or another surface to provide extra aeration. They also ensure that a plant is not sitting in standing water as the drain holes are not flush with the ground.

Do outdoor potted plants 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.

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.

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.

Is brown pressure treated wood toxic?

If you follow safety precautions around treated wood, you should not have any health effects as a result. However, you should avoid exposure to the smoke or ash from burning treated wood. If you suspect poisoning, seek medical attention immediately.

What do you put in the bottom of a planter without drainage holes?

Some experts suggest using a layer of pebbles as a sort of drainage layer in those pots without drainage holes. This technique allows excess water to flow into the space with the pebbles, away from the the soil and therefore the roots of your plant.