GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - About to make a planter, how small can it be?

K · 25-07-2007, 06:25 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

writes
Hi,
I want to make a planter from deckin boards which come in 4" or 6"
widths.

The whole thing has to sit on a small wall 9" wide which retains our
lawn (ie the wall is made from 9" bricks).It's to stop our toddler
running off the edge and falling onto the patio.

Would using three 6" boards be too small , ie one for the base and one
for each side?

Alternatively, I could use a 6" for the base and two 4" boards on each
side.

Not sure what we'll put in the planter, probably some type of small
shrub , any suggestions welcome?

Size of planter depends on what you want to put in it and how often you
are able to water it. In summer, you will be lucky to water less often
than daily.

I'd recommend going for something extremely drought tolerant, eg
succulents, in which case you could get away with 6 inches high. Or you
could (and this might be more effective) use it as a box in which you
stand potted plants according to the season, eg pots of bulbs in spring
giving way to drought loving bedding plants in summer.

Either way, you'll need it either heavy or fixed to the wall else you'll
end up with a nasty mixed heap of toddler, plants, and broken box.
--
Kay