how do you garden in a planter box

How to get the best results from planter boxes

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How to plant in a planter box?

Planting in a Planter Box 1 Planter Box Considerations. Not all planter box containers are created equal. ... 2 Container Preparation. A planter box requires bottom drainage so the container's soil doesn't become soggy. ... 3 Plant Selection. ... 4 Planting Method. ... 5 Early Transplant Care. ...

How do you start a vegetable garden in a box?

How to Start a Vegetable Garden in a Garden Box. Apply a 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 cup per 10 square feet. Broadcast the fertilizer over the surface of the soil. Mix the granules into the top 3 inches of soil with a rake. Smooth the soil's surface with the rake.

How do you prepare the soil for a box garden?

Rake the soil smooth and spray it with a hose to settle it. Use a rake to even out the top of the soil so it is more or less flat and either flush or just below the top edge of the garden box frame. Lightly spray the whole top layer of soil with water from your garden hose to tamp down the soil.

How do you arrange plants in a planter?

Set the tallest plants in the planter's center, and surround them with shorter plants. After you find the desired arrangement, slide the plants from their pots, and set them on top of the soil.

Should I put anything in the bottom of my planter box?

Most plants thrive in containers with drainage holes. However, if you want to use a container without a hole, you can still keep your plants healthy. Layering materials at the bottom of the container can help improve drainage. Using materials in addition to potting soil can also help fill a large container.

What do you put in the bottom of a raised garden box?

What do I put on the bottom of a raised garden bed? You can fill the bottom of a raised garden bed with a number of organic materials, including straw, grass clippings, wood chips, and leaves. Place cardboard – or any suitable weed barrier material – over this organic layer, weighing it down with a few bricks or pegs.

What should you line a planter box with?

Line the planter with porous landscape fabric: The landscape fabric will allow water to drain out of the container while preventing wet soil from directly contacting the wood and reducing its lifespan. The fabric also will prevent soil from escaping through any wide gaps in the wood.

What do you put in the bottom of a garden planter?

If you have recycled plastic lying around, such as water or soda bottles, grocery bags, or milk and juice jugs, use them to fill the bottom of your large planter.

Should I line my raised garden bed 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.

How do you fill raised planters?

9:4819:18How to Fill a Raised Bed (And Save Money) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm taking branches and twigs. And small logs I just pull them into place and fill the bottom halfMoreI'm taking branches and twigs. And small logs I just pull them into place and fill the bottom half with all of these old dried branches.

How do I keep my planter box from rotting?

0:020:32How to Waterproof a Wooden Planter Box - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith a putty knife apply roofing cement to the inside of the planter that will protect it from waterMoreWith a putty knife apply roofing cement to the inside of the planter that will protect it from water and keep it from rotting.

What do you put in the bottom of a wooden planter?

To improve drainage, place a layer of broken terracotta pots, pebbles or Styrofoam packing peanuts on the bottom of the planter.

Do you need drainage holes in planters?

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.

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

Layer rocks at the Bottom of Your Pot Placing rocks or gravel at the bottom of your pot is a common practice to create some separation between your plant's soil and any excess water.

How do you layer a planter box?

0:393:06Layering Soil in a Raised Garden Bed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut because i'm just planting herbs i don't need 30 inches of pure soil. So what did i fill theseMoreBut because i'm just planting herbs i don't need 30 inches of pure soil. So what did i fill these with well on the very bottom the first level. Here. I actually filled these birdies boxes. With a

How deep should my 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.

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

There is no need to put rocks at the bottom of a raised garden bed. It is actually a myth that has been around for several years. The belief for many years was that it would improve the drainage and also prevent any soil from spilling outside the beds.

Should I put cardboard in the bottom of my raised beds?

Many gardeners build raised beds right on their lawns, and line the bottoms with cardboard to smother the grass – a technique that makes it possible to fill the beds and start gardening right away. Even the gardener's helper enjoys a cardboard box!

Should raised garden beds have a bottom?

Planter bottoms usually are slatted, with some type of semi-permeable cloth barrier which permits drainage. Raised beds, however, do not have bottoms; they are open to the ground, which offers the benefit of permitting plant roots to go further into the ground for available nutrients.

What soil should I put in my raised bed?

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)

How to keep plants dry in a planter box?

Using the right soil mix for your planter box will help ensure your plants won’t dry out and will get the nutrients they need. 2. Ensure your planter box has adequate drainage. In addition to filling your planter with well-drained soil, be sure your planter box isn’t watertight.

What is the best material for outdoor planter boxes?

Long lasting options include cypress, redwood, and cedar. Other materials commonly used in outdoor spaces include moulded concrete or aggregate, galvanized or coated metal, and combination wood-and-metal. Natural cedar planter boxes are popular due to their beauty and durability.

What are planter boxes made of?

The wood planter is a common, low-cost choice that is easy to DIY thanks to readily available materials. Long lasting options include cypress, redwood, and cedar.

How much sun do you need for a garden bed?

Like any garden bed, your planter will need enough sunlight for the plants you hope to grow. Most vegetables do best with 6-8 hours of full sunlight. Leafier crops like lettuces, arugula, kale, and Swiss chard, will tolerate slightly fewer hours or benefit from some dappled shade in the afternoon.

Why use elevated planter boxes?

Easy access: If you find bending and stooping difficult, elevated planter boxes can help raise gardening to an easier level.

Why are cedar planter boxes so popular?

Natural cedar planter boxes are popular due to their beauty and durability.

Why use sterile container mix?

Using a sterile container mix means preventing the common diseases associated with in-ground gardening. Easy access: If you find bending and stooping difficult, elevated planter boxes can help raise gardening to an easier level.

Why do we need a planter box?

A planter box, whether large or small, expands your garden space and allows you to bring color and greenery to your home's balcony, patio or entryway. Nearly any plant can grow well in a container if it has the proper location and the planter is the correct size. Understanding the basics of a healthy planter box, combined with careful plant and design selection, helps ensure your container plants thrive.

Who is the author of Planting in a Planter Box?

Planting in a Planter Box. By Jenny Harrington. ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Jenny Harrington. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs.

How to reuse a planter?

If you want to reuse a planter with new plants, scrub it clean and wash it with a solution that is one part bleach and nine parts water to disinfect the planter. Wearing waterproof gloves while mixing and using the solution will help to protect your hands.

What plants can grow in a container?

Patio or dwarf varieties of vegetable plants such as "Husky Cherry Red" tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum "Husky Cherry Red") or naturally smaller vegetables, such as leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa), grow well in containers. Both annual and perennial flowering and ornamental plants also can thrive in planters.

Can you leave a tomato planter in water?

Avoid leaving the planter in standing water. If the container has a drip tray, then it needs to be emptied after each watering. If the planter's tall plants, such as some tomato varieties, require staking, install the stakes in the planter immediately after planting.

Can you use wood planter boxes?

If using a planter box made from wood, select one made from a material that is naturally resistant to rot or CCA treated. Wooden containers treated with creosote or penta are toxic to plants and should not be used.

What is a garden box?

By Jessica Westover. Garden boxes not only provide a tailor-made growing environment for vegetables, but cordon off space in small landscapes for food production. Their raised sides allow room to add loamy, fertile soil where poor soil may currently exist, turning a previously inhospitable space into a welcoming one for plants.

How to spread a vegetable garden?

Check the mature spread of each vegetable variety, and use that measurement as the spacing between individual plants. Lay out the individual starts in rows running north to south. Group plants according to variety and height. Position the tallest plants on the west side of the box and the short plants on the east side to minimize unwanted shading.

How to make a compost box?

1. Pour one part loam soil and one part compost into the garden box. Do not fill the box more than three-quarter full of planting media. Mix the soil and compost with a garden fork. Spread the mixture evenly in the box.

How to grow a sage plant in a hole?

Dig a hole twice as wide and equal in depth to the start's root ball. Massage the root ball's bottom gently, spreading the roots outward. Place the start in the center of the hole. Fill the hole with soil, tamping it down gently around the roots. Do not plant the start deeper than it was previously growing.

When should I plant vegetables in my garden?

3. Plant cool-season vegetable starts, such as lettuce, broccoli, spinach and onions, one to two weeks before the last frost date in your area. Plant warm-season vegetable starts, such as tomatoes, corn, peppers, beans and watermelon, one to two weeks after the last frost date.

Why is it hard to maintain a container garden?

While doing this will make your container garden significantly lighter, it will also make it harder to maintain because it will dry out faster. The more potting soil you use, the more water retention you will have which will give you a much great margin for error when it comes to both watering and feeding your plants.

How to rehabilitate a dead plant?

You can pull out the unhappy plant and put another plant in its place. Depending on how dead and/or precious the plant is, you can try to rehabilitate by repotting it and baby it until it rebounds or you just can't stand the look of it any longer.

How to know when to give up on a plant?

The trick is to know when to give up on a plant. In a mixed container garden, it makes sense to give up rather early, so your whole container doesn't look ugly. When a plant starts looking dreadful you have a couple of choices. Depending on the plant, you can cut it back dramatically, and hope for the best.

How to avoid panic in plants?

One of the best ways to avoid plant panic, or at least minimize it, is to decide what you want before you go to the nursery and make a list. This list doesn't even have to have the exact plants, though if you are ambitious, you can go online or look through plant catalogs and decide exactly what you want. Try to create a list at least with the number of pots, the sizes, and where they are going - so you can get plants that fit the pots and know if you need plants for sun or shade or anything in between.

How to find out what a plant requires?

To find out what a plant requires, either check the plant tag or if there isn't one, ask a salesperson. If all else fails, try to look it up on the internet.

What to do if your plant is exhibiting signs of serious disease?

However, if your plant is exhibiting signs of serious disease, take it out immediately, re-pot it and either quarantine or put it in a plastic bag and throw it out.

Can you increase drainage in a garden pot?

The bad news is that many garden pots that are sold simply don't have enough drainage. You can often increase drainage, by drilling, punching or carving bigger holes. However, sometimes it's just easier to buy a pot that does have enough drainage.

1. Spinach

Spinach is a nutritious vegetable that is grown in both cold and warm weather. It contains high amounts of vitamin B6, B9, C, and Folic Acid.

2. Lettuce

Lettuce is another nutritious plant that is cold hardy and can flourish in warm weather. It is high in fiber and manganese.

3. Asian Greens

Asian greens are one of the most nutritious foods on this list. And best of all, they can be grown at any time of the year. Asian greens contain vitamins A, B, C, E, and K.

4. Onions

Onions are the perfect vegetable for fiber, folic acid, and vitamin C.

5. Green Onions

Green Onions are a great source of Vitamins A, C, & K. In addition, it is a good source of Folic acid and Riboflavin.

6. Radishes

Radishes provide a great source of Vitamin C, Folate, and Potassium. It is one of the many easy vegetables to grow in planter boxes.

7. Asparagus

Asparagus is one of my favorite perennial vegetables to grow in a planter box. It is a great source of vitamin A, C, E, and K. It also folate, copper, and iron.

How to transplant a plant in a planter box?

Fill the planter box with clay balls from ¼. Fill the planter box with potting soil. Dig a hole in the soil with the transplanter to insert the plants. Soak the plant in water for 5 minutes. Gently loosen the roots so that the plant will take better in the soil. Insert the plant in the soil and pack the soil. ...

When to plant your tomatoes in a planter box?

Plant the seedlings between the beginning of May and mid-June. Earlier, cooler nights may make your tomatoes want to show the tip of their nose.

How to grow tomatoes in a box?

To grow tomatoes in a planter box, you must provide them with a rich and fertile substrate. To do this, follow these 3 steps: 1 Place a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot (5 cm). 2 If you have garden soil, mix it with potting soil and fill 2/3 of the pot. Otherwise, use only potting soil. 3 Top up with well decomposed manure or compost.

How to prepare soil for tomato plants?

Before putting your tomato plants in pots, prepare the soil. Mix a handful of dehydrated cow dung and/or some ripe compost into the potting soil and then plant the tomatoes.

What is it called when tomatoes are grown in a planter box?

This phenomenon is called evapotranspiration. To successfully grow tomatoes in a planter box, your role will be to find the subtle balance between leaving enough leaves for a healthy plant and eliminating others that cause the plant to lose precious liquid resources (often called “greedy”).

How to improve drainage in a garden?

To improve drainage, incorporate vermiculite (commercially known as perlite) or pozzolana into the substrate. The latter will keep moisture in the soil while allowing good water circulation.

How to make a potting soil pot?

To do this, follow these 3 steps: Place a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot (5 cm). If you have garden soil, mix it with potting soil and fill 2/3 of the pot. Otherwise, use only potting soil. Top up with well decomposed manure or compost.

How to hold a garden box together?

Make sure to place the stakes right up against the outside of the garden box. These support stakes will help hold the box together against the pressure of the expanding soil once you have plants in your garden spreading roots everywhere.

How wide should a garden box be?

Don’t make your garden box any wider than 4 ft (1.2 m) or it will be hard to plant and tend to your vegetables in the middle. When in doubt, a North-South orientation is generally a good option for garden beds to ensure they get plenty of sun.

What is a vegetable garden box?

Vegetable garden boxes, also known as raised garden beds, are a great feature to install in your garden. They look neat and tidy, drain well, and make it easy to tend your plants. To make a garden box, you will first have to clear the area that you plan to put the box, then assemble the box, and finally add soil to plant your vegetables in.

How to make a raised garden bed?

1. Choose a level location that gets good sun during the day. Pick a spot for the raised garden bed that is not shaded and is flat so that the garden will have proper drainage. A standard vegetable garden box is 4 ft (1.2 m) by 8 ft (2.4 m), but work with the space you have.

How to make a garden bed with compost?

Fill the bed with a 50/50 mix of planting soil and compost. Use about 3-4 2 sq ft (0.19 m 2) bags each of compost and planting soil. Pour it all into the garden bed and mix it together with a garden fork or spade. You can get planting soil and compost in bags or in bulk at a garden center.

How long is a 4 ft garden box?

Use 2 4 ft (1.2 m) long and 2 8 ft (2.4 m) long 2 in (5.1 cm) by 12 in (30 cm) pieces of lumber for the sides of a standard 4 ft (1.2 m) by 8 ft (2.4 m) garden box. Lay them out flat in the shape of the box with the corners touching.

Can you put a box on the side?

You can do this either over the prepared site for the box, or off to the side if you have the space. Keep in mind that the frame will be quite heavy after you assemble it.

How can you use the liner in your planter box?

I will show you the steps you can use to line your wooden or metal planter box with a plastic liner. You can use any plastic bag like a garbage bag or a plastic sheet.

How far away from the top of a planter can you put potting soil?

Pour the potting soil inside the planter until just 1-2 inches remain from the top. Now you can remove the clips as the potting soil will hold the plastic liner inside the planter box.

Why use a plastic pot inside a planter box?

This helps protect the planter material from the water that drains out of the plastic pot. Using a plastic pot inside the planter box will help you plant new seedlings with ease. It also makes it easier to replace the liner by just moving the pots out of the planter box.

Can you put potting soil in a wooden planter box?

But moisture from the soil will speed up the process. If you put the potting soil in a wooden planter and keep watering it, the moisture will decay the wood.