That was a very interesting post. Hmmm. It just shows your brain was working on the problem even if you weren't aware of it. Keep us posted on how it turns out. I don't suppose you could easily build round boxes and eliminate the corners. It would require a lot of wood bending, but I suppose it could be done if this doesn't work out.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
kay

Kay, the problem is that plants in the middle of the box grow really well. On the extreme outer edges and especially in the corners, some of the plants don't do well at all. I installed four 8x10" tiles this a.m. Easy enough to do and cheap enough. The wood was thoroughly wet but the soil was damp but not wet. The bottom of the boxes is landscape fabric and it lets the water drain easily.

My husband and I talked about it earlier and he asked why the Kinnebrews don't have the problem. I think it is because their boxes at 18" off the ground. Of course, they've been at it for years and have figured out a soil mix that works for them. Most of our boxes are 8" off the ground, just enough to prevent intrusion by roots and nutgrass. However, my big box in the front yard isn't raised and the problem is significant there too. I dug out an empty corner and found the really wet wood. The soil isn't packed down either--that soiless mix won't pack!

Thanks for the encouragement and I will post again! If this isn't the answer, I'm at a loss.

Beachlily,

I was thinking about your absorption problem and it occurred to me that you might be able to easily (and inexpensively) line you boxes with the styrofoam they sell at Lowe's and other big box stores. It is about a half inch thick, 12 inches by four feet. I bought some of it to use as a cold shield on the perimeter of my greenhouse. You could easily line the sides of the box with it, but of course your tile should work.
kay

Thanks for the thought, Kay! I pondered using stryofoam too. The reason for the tiles is that they are tougher and when I start digging in about a month, they can withstand some abuse if I'm careful. Also, I'm using a small piece of 2x4 and a rubber hammer to get them down to a uniform level.

On the cheerful side, the department manager at Lowes took pity on this gardener (sort of beat on by my husband whose negotiating techniques embarrass me at times). Anyway, when I told the mgr. that the tiles I selected were the PERFECT size, he gave us his card with the notation to reduce the price to 50 cents each. They were unboxed and he thought they look unsightly. The mgr. told me if this didn't work to just bring the tiles back--I gulped and told him they would be stained with soil. He didn't have a problem with that! We brought 60 of them home. Easy peasy to put them in and I've nearly finished one box. Currently, I'm doing corners and running the tiles down to the first healthy plant. Husband asked if I shouldn't just do it all, but this decision was made because I didn't want to mess with plants that are happy!

Obviously fall is coming because the plants are regaining their lushness and there is no rust I can see! Life is good! A couple of cultivars are sending up a lonesome scape. I think there is a contest going on among the plants. It appears that one cultivar out there just wants to be the last scape standing! Love those daylilies!

Arlene

Hey Arlene, Interesting post, thanks. Do follow up and let us know if it solves the problem. I had a thought...would drilling holes in the corners of the wood boxes for better air circulation and quicker drainage help? You could experiment with different size drill bits...making them increasingly larger if needed. It's just an idea. I've never grown in boxes. Best of luck!
Kathy