Wooden Deck Garden Container Drainage

17 years ago

Hi, my husband just built for me a 2ftx4ft wooden container for a deck garden. We have too many deer and other animals to make it feasible for a conventional garden.

What should I put in the bottom for drainage? A layer of pebbles or gravel on the bottom? I thought of covering the interior with a plastic then adding the rock. I do not want to drill holes in the bottom because the water I would think would eventully rot the deck.

Any suggestions or ideas would be great. Thank you!

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Comments (7)

greenwood85
17 years ago
You're going to need drainage. Your deck should be treated with sealant to keep the water out. Landscape fabric, maybe?

I'm having a difficult time picturing what your garden will look like. Are you think a basic raised bed on a deck instead of soil? Why not use separate containers for the plants with holes for drainage in them? Or is that what you mean?
bcskye
17 years ago
Why not make drainage holes with tubing coming out of them which would be directed off the side of the deck?
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
Gravel (or pebbles) do not 'add drainage'. They merely reduce the plant-able volume. Not adding ample holes for drainage will prevent you from being able to water properly, and if this planter is exposed to rainfall.....yikes. Excess water will collect and stagnate in the bottom of the planter, causing a real problem for your plants.

Place the planter on 'feet' so that the water can drain (from the holes you should drill) away quickly. Just like rainfall, your deck should be able to withstand something like that quite readily. Use window screen (or similar) to place over the holes before adding your porous potting medium. That will keep the 'stuff' from falling out of the holes when you water.
rock_oak_deer
17 years ago
I have been gardening on the deck for years and have not had a problem with the deck rotting under pots. The water just runs off between the decking boards.

I have one large planter like an oversized window box that is on bricks to keep it off the deck a bit.

Move things around from time to time, so you see any problems.
ribbit32004
17 years ago
I have tons of pots on our deck. I use the dishes or whatever you call them that go under the pots. The deck never gets wet.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Corner Yard
tn_veggie_gardner
17 years ago
I was going to say exactly what bcskye did. Might have to think it out/plan it out a bit to make sure it'd work, but I think that'd be the best idea. Maybe build a mock stand for it out of 2x4's and have a few pvc pipes coming out the bottom going off the deck.
soilsenasuil
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi, I was out of town but thanks for all the replys! I think I may try drilling holes and adding the pipe for drain off. We have to stain and reseal the deck because the people before us did not do a very good job. We choice to make a rolling raised bed because it was about $12 and holds several plants. And boy am i cheap, drives my husband crazy!

Thanks again!