Redwood is rot resistant although prices have been rising lately. Suggest a
lumberyard instead of the big box! I used Henry Asphalt Emulsion on the inside
of planters for water resistance as it's used for waterseal under grade. I
used Cabot colored oil based stain on the outside of the planters and label
suggests 3-4 years between applications whether horizontal or vertical. They
also make waterbased. http://cabotstains.com/

I have been using some plastic and some terra-cota containers, and I
am thinking of building my own containers out of wood, which is
cheaper, looks more attractive and allows modular designs that are
harder to get with other materials. My main concern is about treating
the wood against decay:

1- Potting soil versus garden soil: I have been using garden soil with
remarkable success, using organic techniques that avoid hardening.
However, would garden soil make the container decay faster ?

2- Painting the container: Which paint is non-toxic for the plants and
does not accumulate toxins in the plants ? Should I paint the
container from the inside as well ?





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