From vintage soda crates to old tool boxes, there are many fabulous wooden containers that you can find at a low price or even for free. And they can be turned into a quaint DIY wooden container planter for use indoors or outside. Repurposing wooden containers into planters can make a rustic and organic design statement. Plus, its an eco-friendly choice to give new life to something that mightve just been thrown away.
Before planting in a painted box, check to see whether the paint contains lead. You can use a simple lead test kit found at many hardware stores. Edible plants grown in a container coated with lead paint can absorb the heavy metal. And lead paint chips can pose an environmental risk. Even low levels of lead can cause health problems, especially in children.
Wooden planter boxes are a great way to add greenery and color to your outdoor space. However, without proper lining, the constant moisture from watering can cause the wood to rot and decay over time. Lining a wooden planter box is an easy process that will protect the wood and help your plants thrive. In this complete guide, we will walk through the steps, materials needed, and tips for successfully lining a wooden planter.
Why Line a Wooden Planter Box?
There are a few key reasons to line your wooden planter box
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Prevent rotting: Unlined wood will absorb moisture from the soil and begin to break down and rot over time. A liner acts as a protective barrier.
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Improve drainage Lining creates small air pockets between the liner and soil which improves drainage and aerates the roots
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Retain moisture: While allowing excess moisture to drain, a liner will keep the soil around the roots consistently moist.
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Protect plants: Certain plants like rhododendrons and azaleas require acidic soil, a liner helps maintain the ideal pH balance.
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Extend longevity: Lining can add many years of life to your wooden planter box.
Materials Needed
Lining a planter box is an easy project with minimal materials needed
- Planter box
- Plastic liner (pond liner, heavy duty tarp, sheet plastic, compost bag)
- Scissors
- Staple gun with staples
- Hammer and tacks
- Pencil or screwdriver
- Drill (if drainage holes need adding)
Make sure to use a liner that is non-toxic and won’t leach chemicals into the soil. Recycled materials like tarps or compost bags work great.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for lining your wooden planter box:
1. Check for Existing Drainage Holes
Drainage is crucial, so check the bottom of the planter box for pre-drilled drainage holes. If there are none, use a drill to add several evenly spaced holes.
2. Measure and Cut Liner
Measure the interior dimensions of the planter box. Cut your plastic liner to size allowing a couple extra inches of overhang. It’s better for the liner to be slightly too big rather than too small.
3. Add Liner to Planter Box
Place the liner inside the planter, pressing into the corners and edges. For pond liner, you can use a heat gun to soften and mold it into place.
4. Secure the Liner
Use a staple gun or hammer and tacks to affix the liner in place. Staple along the top edges pulling the plastic taut.
5. Trim Excess Plastic
Cut away any unnecessary overhanging plastic with scissors. Leave 2-3 cm of liner above soil line.
6. Add Drainage Holes
Use a screwdriver or pencil to poke through the liner where the drainage holes are located. This allows water to exit.
7. Fill Planter Box with Soil
Your lined planter box is now ready for soil and plants! As you water, the liner will settle more smoothly in place.
Tips for Success
Follow these tips to get the most out of lining your wooden planter box:
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For longevity, use pond liner or thick plastic tarps instead of thinner plastic sheeting.
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Allow for generous overhang when cutting and extra staples to make sure liner stays put.
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Make sure drainage holes align through both liner and planter box.
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Covering the bottom with gravel can improve drainage before adding soil.
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Use shears to trim liner for a clean edge at soil line.
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Periodically check liner edges remain secure underneath soil.
Alternative Liner Options
While plastic is the most common and cost-effective liner for planter boxes, here are some other options:
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Landscape fabric: Allows water flow while keeping soil separated.
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Burlap: Effective for short term use, biodegradable.
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Geotextile fabric: More breathable than plastic while still protective.
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Cement: Permanent liner solution, coat interior with concrete sealer.
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Garbage bags: Cheap alternative but less durable than thicker plastic.
Keep Your Planter Box Thriving
By properly lining your wooden planter box, you can protect the wood from rotting and damage while creating the ideal growing environment for plants. Make sure to use quality materials and don’t skimp on drainage. With just a few simple tools and materials, it is easy to line a planter box in less than an hour. The small time investment will pay off for many seasons to come of beautiful and lush plants!
How to Build DIY Planters
When starting with an existing wooden container, there are just a few steps to get it ready for plants.
- Check the containers drainage: Fill the empty box with water, and see how long it takes to drain. If the water freely runs out the bottom seams of the box, no supplemental drainage will be necessary. But if the box holds water for more than a minute, proceed to step 2. (Otherwise, move on to step 3.)
- Add drainage holes if necessary: Drill several 1/2-inch holes in the bottom of the box. Also, add a few holes in the sides of the container near the bottom.
- 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.
- Choose your plants: Pick plants suitable for the length, width, and depth of the container. For instance, shallow boxes should have shallow-rooted plants, such as succulents. Also, microgreens and most salad greens will do fine in a shallow box. Furthermore, select a potting mix thats suitable for your chosen plant species.
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
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The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Preserving Wooden Containers
If youll be growing plants in your wooden container that are strictly ornamental—not for eating—then you can apply a chemical sealer to the planter to extend its life. Apply it to both the inside and outside surfaces of the planter.
However, if you plan to eat your plants, avoid conventional wood sealers because they usually contain unhealthy chemicals that can be released into the potting soil and absorbed by the plant roots. Fortunately, there are some wood preservative treatments that are safer than chemical wood sealers for containers that will grow edibles:
- Paint-on products that contain acypetacs (a common brand name is Cuprinol) are considered safer than chemical sealers. But the wood will need to be retreated more often than with chemical sealers.
- Water-based preservatives based on boron salts are considered safe; they are generally applied in paint or gel form. However, they dont bond well with wood and require frequent reapplication.
- Made from flaxseed, linseed oil has good wood preservative properties but takes quite a long time to dry. Avoid products that are mixed with solvents, such as mineral spirits. And be aware that linseed oil is flammable before it dries.
Lining Wood Planter || DIY Garden
FAQ
What do I line a wooden planter box with?
Cut a piece of landscape fabric or screen to the same size as the bottom of the planter box. Use it to line the interior and protect the wood base.Sep 7, 2023
How do you protect the inside of a wooden planter box?
Use sealants to close all cracks and joints in the pot. This is important to protect the inside of the box from moisture ingress.
What do you use to seal a wooden planter box?
Apply a thick layer of liquid rubber to the planter box using a paintbrush. Make sure to cover the entire surface. We advise at least 2-3 heavy coats for optimal waterproofing. Allow the liquid rubber to dry for at least 24 hours.
What do you line a raised planter box with?
You Can Use a Layer of Cardboard at the Bottom of Raised Beds to Prevent Weeds. If your budget doesn’t allow for weed barrier cloth, you can add several layers of cardboard to the bottom of your raised bed before filling it with soil. The cardboard will decompose in about 4 to 6 months.
How do you line a wooden planter box?
For a custom fit, you can use a heat gun to mold pond liner to the exact contours of your wooden planter box before filling. As another robust choice, geotextile fabric is commonly used by landscapers: Look for landscape grade geotextile fabric with good permeability to line your planter box. Lining your wooden planter box is a simple process:
What is the best material to line a wood planter box?
A: The best material to line a wood planter box depends on your specific needs. Some of the most popular options include: Landscaping fabric: This is a lightweight and inexpensive option that is perfect for preventing weeds and moisture from seeping into the wood.
Should I line my planter box?
Here are some benefits you can enjoy if you line your planter box: The liner will enable you to remove the plant from the pot, allow the roots to drain correctly, and then replace it when you’re planting in a pot or planter without drainage holes. Liners protect the soil from extreme temperature fluctuations.