Building a Planter

[Feruk]

I'm planning to build a planter to sit out on my back deck. We'll be planting vegetables this summer. Never done any real wood work, but I figure the videos I watched on Youtube are pretty much all the qualifications I need. Got a design in mind, but I'm looking for tips. What should I build it out of? Cedar? Pine? Does it matter? I read that treated wood should be avoided. How do I prevent it from rotting? Should I use glue or avoid it as I plan to eat the veggies.

[TomcoPDR]

Originally posted by Feruk
I'm planning to build a planter to sit out on my back deck. We'll be planting vegetables this summer. Never done any real wood work, but I figure the videos I watched on Youtube are pretty much all the qualifications I need. Got a design in mind, but I'm looking for tips. What should I build it out of? Cedar? Pine? Does it matter? I read that treated wood should be avoided. How do I prevent it from rotting? Should I use glue or avoid it as I plan to eat the veggies.

I would use Cedar if it was my project. Pine (if left natural) will get rotted up by water pretty quick (2 years it'll start looking like shit)... Where as Cedar, think of Cedar shingles (roofs), Cedar fences, can be left natural.

You should be able to use specific Cedar screws (not the green ones for pressure treated)... Using glue for planters, I think won't be as durable as screws.

Anyways, I just think Cedar will give you a good 5-6 year run before you have to worry about rebuilding.

(I'm not a wood specialist though), I'm only sharing my experience based on using Cedar on a deck re-build, left untreated for an entire year (rain season, winter season) it faded very little, then following summer just sprayed sealant then it looked fine.


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[GorG]

Pm'd

[SkiBum5.0]

Also interested in this.

[Feruk]

Thanks for the advice Tomco. Cedar it is. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to put it together and post some pictures/design here.

Looks like the biggest constraint's going to be weight. I measured out the soil density of the bag I bought (I'm a dork) and figured that even a 1m X 0.5m X 0.33m planter will weigh almost 225lb without the wood. But without depth, you can't grow certain vegetables (potatoes especially).

[BlackArcher101]

How are you going to handle the moisture content of the soil? Will water be allowed to seep through, potentially trapping and ruin the deck underneath the planter? Or will it be sealed, but covered to prevent flooding in rain?

[blitz]

Why is it going on your deck instead of on the ground? You should be fine with cedar, but be sure you have drain holes so excess water and rain can drain. I'd also use some decent sized (enough so it wont mix with your soil) gravel/rock on the bottom layer to promote drainage. A mild slope on the bottom could also direct the water to the side of the planter instead of underneath to protect the deck.

If you only need part of it to be 33cm deep, consider either 2 levels or a raised bottom on one side to reduce weight.

But in reality 225lb is just like one hefty guy standing on your deck.

[syscal]

Ipe is supposed to be pretty fantastic - http://www.ipewoodcanada.com/pourq-ipe-angl.html

[firebane]

Originally posted by Feruk
Thanks for the advice Tomco. Cedar it is. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to put it together and post some pictures/design here.

Looks like the biggest constraint's going to be weight. I measured out the soil density of the bag I bought (I'm a dork) and figured that even a 1m X 0.5m X 0.33m planter will weigh almost 225lb without the wood. But without depth, you can't grow certain vegetables (potatoes especially).

Not sure if you've ever grown potatoes but those bastards need a lot of leg room to to grow. You sure a planter is going to suffice for you?

[Feruk]

Good call on a level of gravel at the bottom; will incorporate. I had planned to attach two pieces of wood to the bottom running width-wise along the planter. This will lift it off the ground, make it easier to carry, and allow water to drain out. It's going on the deck because I have no back yard where we are now.

That Ipe stuff is treated. As I'm growing food, I don't wanna use treated wood.

Not sure on the potatoes... It might turn into tomatoes and lettuce, but going to do a little bit of research.

[BrknFngrs]

I can't comment on the types of wood specifically but if the planter isn't lined with something I would think you'd pretty quickly get some leeching/staining of the wood on the outside which will take away from the aesthetics.