Raised Planter Boxes to Add Height to Garden Design

If you are looking for ways to add height to your garden, raised planter boxes are perfect for you. It will maximize your space and provide depth. It will also help you harvest vegetables and herbs straight from your garden. The best part is, they are easy to make.

Raised planter boxes help ensure that every inch of your garden is properly used. You will also not have difficulty with drainage. With raised boxes, the excess water will drain easily, and the soil will warm up faster. Besides, this will also prevent weed infestation. Weeds do not have any room to grow since raised planter boxes are usually densely planted. Aside from it, one can easily manage the growth of insects and other pests. It may be difficult when you have to deal with them in long garden rows.

In extreme weather, you can protect your plants with row fabrics or specialized covers. Lastly, it is easy to fill the boxes with soil appropriate to your plant’s needs. You may even mix and match different soils that you deem necessary.

Before Set-up

Raised planter boxes come in different materials, heights, and texture. Look for a planter box that has proper drainage. Choose materials that will last long. A quality planter box should be weather-resistant and made from food-safe materials. You don’t want your vegetables contaminated with harmful materials. Consider the needs of your plants in choosing how deep the planter box will be.

Generally, with more soil depth available to the plants, the more freely their roots will grow. Also, more soil will hold more moisture. More moisture means less watering required. Pick the height of the planter box appropriate to your needs. Your back will strain from reaching down if it is too small. If it is too high, you may have difficulty tending to it. The number of boxes you will need will depend on you and the space that you have. You may do well with a couple or more if you want to have different varieties of vegetables. 

The Right Location

Choose a location that will help your plants receive an ample amount of nutrients. Remember that most vegetables should receive at least eight hours of sunlight. With this in mind, place your raised planter boxes in the sunniest part of your garden. Your plants will also need water. It is best to locate them in an area with easy access to a hose.

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Set-up

First, clear the area. Remove any grass or perennial weeds. Position the planters and do not fill it with soil yet. Feel the box to the brim once you are set with the location. Most raised planter boxes are not capable of holding heavy, clay-based garden soil. It will be better if filled with a mixture of high-quality potting soil and compost. You can mix 2/3 potting soil and 1/3 compost. Don’t forget to add a handful of fertilizer. Take note that the type of soil and fertilizer you will use will depend on the plant.

What to Plant

You are free to grow any plant you wish. There are a lot of choices because many plants will survive in a planter box. You can fill it with compact vegetables such as eggplants, tomatoes, and carrots. If you want herbs, you can plant basil, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Berry plants such as those small-stature varieties will also thrive in a raised bed. For added beauty, you can put fairy gardens and miniature plants. Small-statures evergreens and shrubs are also excellent plants for elevated planter boxes.

Don’t forget to consider each plant’s growth behavior. Some will trail, while others will climb. Use stakes and ladders to keep the garden more manageable. It will also prevent unruly plants from competing with their neighbors. 

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Maintenance

Intensive planting will help prevent weeds. And if they appear in your planter box, remove them immediately. They will compete with your other plants for nutrients and space if unattended. Your plants will thrive even with less watering since planter boxes retain moisture. Of course, remember to water on hot summer days. Do not forget to feed your plants. Most vegetables will thrive in water-soluble fertilizer since they can easily absorb it.

You can harvest food from your planter boxes once it looks ready to eat. Who wouldn’t like tasty and fresh food straight from the garden? Once you gather them, be sure to savor the fruits of your labor.