Build a planter
Jeff Layman wrote:
On 12/02/2012 17:48, John Price wrote:
Hi
I'm thinking of building a failrly large planter, or maybe 2 or more
smaller ones and would appreciate some feedback.
It/they are for a recently tarmacced area on the front of my house,
underneath a window - about 330cm wide. Looks nice and neat, but
begging for a planter.
I also have several logs from a couple of Leylandii that I cut down
back in the autumn, easily long enough to do it in one.
So,
a) would those logs be a suitable material? How fast would they just
rot?
b) if suitable, does anyone know of any build guides?
I picture lining it/them. Presumably it would need to be drainable -
would it need say gravel in the base?
Sorry if these are stupid questions, never done anything like this
before, but have increasing amounts of time, combined with
decreasing amounts of cash!
Many Thanks
Not sure about a planter from cut logs.
Many years ago I made a 2 x 2 x 0.3metre raised peat bed for some
small ericaceous plants from 2 metre lengths of rough pine logs.
Three 10 cm diameter logs were put on top of each other for the
height. held in place with a smaller piece of log on the outside.
The inside was lined with polythene to give some protection from the
damp soil. I used no painted preservative and it lasted years,
although the bark peeled off after 3 or 4 years and it started to
look a bit tatty. Would that be considered "shabby chic" now?!
As you have said, line your planter with something waterproof. As
long as the soil level is not above it (or too far below for
appearance sake!), you can get away with a cheap polythene liner.
Remember it is UV light which damages polythene, not damp, so if it
it covered it will last. Providing there are a few holes drilled in
the base, I wouldn't bother with gravel (unless you intend the
planter to be for alpine plants which will need very good drainage).
How rough or otherwise you want the outside appearance to be is up to
you, but if you saw the logs along their length for a smooth finish
you will need some sort of preservative on that cut surface..
Thanks Jeff
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