QA

Question: How To Build A Raised Cedar Planter Box

Can you make planter boxes out of cedar?

To grow your container garden, build this DIY planter box. It requires few tools and can be accomplished in a day. Make sure to use wood rated for outdoor use, like cedar. Follow our step-by-step tutorial to make your own cedar planter box.

Do I need to line a cedar planter box?

The planters are fine when used without lining or as container planters. If replacing a lining, we recommend only using linings specifically made for gardening containers and that allow for air and water flow.

What do I put on the bottom of a raised garden bed?

What do I put on the bottom of a raised garden bed? The bottom of a raised garden bed should be a layer of grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, straw, and other organic material. The cardboard should be placed on top of that layer. The organic material will turn into compost, while the cardboard will prevent weeds.

How deep should a raised garden bed be?

A raised bed does not have to be very deep to be effective. Eight to 12 inches is usually adequate. If drainage is a problem, or if the plants you are growing prefer drier soil, the bed could be taller and filled with a porous growing medium. Vegetable beds should be 12 to 18 inches deep.

How deep should a cedar planter box be?

You will want to dig down at least 16 inches – you could go deeper, but this is a planter box, not a fence. I find that 16 inches is plenty deep and allows concrete to penetrate and hold. Once each of your holes are dug, measure each of your posts right on prepare for cuts.

What do you line cedar planters with?

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.

Should I stain cedar raised beds?

Semi-transparent penetrating stains can be beneficial to soft woods like cedar and can prevent the planter or raised bed from being damaged by rain or sun. Some stains may have an adverse effect on plants, so either stain the planter when it’s empty or protect the plants inside.

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.

How do you treat a cedar planter box?

In a large pot combine one gallon of white vinegar with 6 pads of #0000 steel wool. Let sit at least 24 hours. Using a brush, large sponge, or a rag, liberally apply the vinegar concoction to the wood. Let dry and add another coat if needed.

Should I put rocks in the bottom of my raised garden bed?

You should avoid putting rocks or gravel at the bottom of your raised garden beds, or any of your planters or containers for that matter. With your buried rock layer trapping water beneath your soil, problems with fungal growths and root rot are more likely to occur.

Do I need to line my raised garden bed?

So, should you line a raised garden bed? Yes, you should line your raised garden bed, since the pros of doing so outweigh the cons. A liner for your raised garden bed can insulate the soil against extreme temperatures, keep moles and gophers out, and prevent weeds from growing.

Should you line garden beds with plastic?

Avoid lining your garden beds with plastic, as this prevents drainage and could drown your plants’ roots. If you have a weed and pest problem, consider installing a combination of metal mesh and fabric or hardware cloth and cardboard to get both benefits at once.

What is the best height for raised garden beds?

The most popular height for raised beds is 11″. (This is the height of two standard “2 x 6″ boards, which actually measure 1.5″ x 5.5”.) This height provides sufficient drainage for most crops. For best results, there should be another 12″ or more of good soil below the bed.

How many bags of soil do I need for a 4×8 raised bed?

For a 4×8–foot raised bed with a 10” height, about 1 cubic yard of soil is needed. For a 4×8-foot raised bed with a 6” height, using Mel’s Mix: about 5 cubic feet each of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite is needed.

How deep does a planter box need to be for tomatoes?

Typical planter boxes tend to be extremely wide, but not deep. Once tomato plants are positioned within the growing medium, they must have a minimum depth of 12 inches beneath them for healthy root growth.

How wide should a planter box be?

Width – Planter boxes 1.5 to 2 feet wide provide space to grow vegetables in a small footprint. Narrow planters work well along a railing or fence, and as garden privacy screens, with matching trellises. Wide planters provide space to accommodate larger plants, even small trees, if you have the room.

What is the best soil mix for raised beds?

For most situations, we recommend these proportions: 60% topsoil. 30% compost. 10% Potting soil (a soilless growing mix that contains peat moss, perlite and/or vermiculite)Sep 16, 2021.

How deep should soil be for planter boxes?

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.