Inside of planters.

Comment

Comment by Ken Darga on October 27, 2013 at 10:01am

For exterior use, drainage is needed in the bottom of planter boxes.

Without adequate drainage, trapped moisture will promote rot. 

 

"drying out" of the soil, is the result of evaporation and the moisture being absorbed by the wood.

 

Depending on the type of plants---1/2" of water per week is needed.

Tomato plants need more, 1/2" every other day, and require "deep" penetration for good root growth.

Generally, I try to achieve a 12" moisture depth, for garden veggies.

 

A plastic liner, without drain holes, will promote root rot---“drowning”---

and cause the plants premature death.

 

When using a plastic liner in the planter box---

place small drain holes, ¼” in each 2 sq in area, in the bottom of the plastic liner.

(Smaller holes can be added by using a “prick punch”, ice pick, #16 nail, or the like---with the small hole spacing at 1” intervals).

Add 3” of pea gravel in the bottom of the liner, followed by applicable soil over the gravel.

The gravel will keep the soil off the bottom of the plastic liner, and the holes will permit drainage.

 

Alternate:

The interior of the wood box can be coated with liquid plastic roof cement, to prevent moisture from entering into the wood.