Help! What do I do with this raised wooden planter?

6 years ago

Hi everyone!

I just joined the community and I'm excited to dive in :)

I just bought two of these raised box planters for my apartment terrace. They're lined with plastic and the wood is larchwood. They measure about 39"x23"x12" deep.

My first question is about soil - After I purchased them, I read that some soils may be too heavy for these kinds of containers and the bottom may break if the soil becomes waterlogged. Other than making sure there are holes for drainage in the plastic, is there anything else I can do? I read that some people layer with mulch/bark but I'm not sure that would be wise for this? Any types of soil I should avoid? The only thing I have right now is a general "organic vegetable soil" but it doesn't list what's it made of. I'm also open to switching out the plastic lining with something else.

Second question is about the veggies I grow. I have seeds for spinach, kale, tomatoes, zucchini, chard, pumpkin, arugula and strawberries that survived from last year. I was thinking I'd use the boxes for the tomatoes and leafy greens and use large, separate pots for the zucchini and pumpkin since they're space hogs. My main concern is light. I'll be growing these on my terrace that only gets direct sunlight for 6 hours for about 3 months. Before/after that, only a small area receives direct sunlight for maybe an hour. The rest of the year, it receives bright in direct sunlight on the days the sun is actually out (winters are pretty grey where I live).

I'd love to use this planter year-round but I'm not sure that's realistic considering how different the conditions are in winter.

Sorry for all the questions... especially if they've been answered before! I did a bit of Googling before ending up here but couldn't find much info specific to this.

Featured Answer

daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)

6 years ago

Greens will tolerate lack of sun, even a gray winter. Fruiting vegetables largely won't, at least productivity-wise. Three months is a pretty short summer growing season. You can try tomatoes, but when the sun goes away you won't get a lot.

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Comments (8)

Kevin Reilly
6 years ago
If it’s not in contact with ground it’s basically a pot. Use potting mix only. Can dry out quicker too so more drought tolerant plants would be good. Would fill one box with Mediterranean herbs
Emilie H thanked Kevin Reilly
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
We can't give an opinion on winter crops because we don't know where you are geographically.
Emilie H thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
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Emilie H
Original Author
6 years ago
I'm in Germany @floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
Emilie H
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you @Kevin Reilly! I bought a bunch of this a while ago - think it would be ok if I mixed in some perlite? https://www.floragard.de/de-de/webshop/2037/floragard-bio-erde-lecker
- Peat-free organic special earth, suitable for tomatoes, zucchini, aubergines and other fruit vegetables
- Rich and healthy harvest thanks to the vegan fertilizer Flora Veggie Power
- Finely screened green waste compost contributes to the nutrient supply and invigorates the earth
- Safe for children, pets and animals in the garden thanks to the vegan fertilizer
- Coconut pulp naturally improves the water supply in the earth
- You can use this peat-free and vegan organic soil for all vegetable plants - whether in the greenhouse, in the bed or in the tub.
Emilie H
Original Author
6 years ago
It might be closer to 4 months - I've had success in the past with tomatoes and zucchini in individual pots. But thank you for the advice about the greens - I'll plant those in the spots that get a little less light and save the full sun spots for the other veggies @daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
Embothrium
6 years ago
I wouldn't doctor the purchased growing medium because it is described as being good for use in containers as it is. Since you haven't mentioned growing anything that you will be trying to overwinter in the planters all that matters is what your summer conditions are in whatever part of Germany you are in. And it sounds like you have already determined that those are suitable.

It might however be better to not leave the planters out in winter weather while not in use, especially if your area has periods of sharp cold.
Emilie H thanked Embothrium
lgteacher
6 years ago
Don't put a layer of different material such as bark at the bottom. You plants will do better with a uniform mix all the way to the bottom of the planter to avoid a perched water table.
Emilie H thanked lgteacher