It’s hard to beat wooden planters for good looks and durability
Wooden planters are a popular choice for gardeners, mostly due to their attractiveness and durability. Here are a few things to consider before selecting one for your home or garden.
Tough but not the toughest
Planters are available in a variety of woods, including teak, cedar, cypress and redwood. Most of the woods used are extremely tough and resistant to rot and moisture, although not to the extent of other materials such as ceramic and plastic.
You can help extend the life of a wooden planter by using black plastic liners (with holes punched in the bottom for drainage), painting the planter with a good waterproof stain, sealer or paint and reinforcing the joints with rustproof nails. If you do use a stain or sealer, be sure that it is one that will not harm the plants.
Beware of pests
Unfortunately, wooden planters can also end up providing homes for burrowing pests such as ants or woodlice, so watch for signs of an infestation. Putting the planter on a hard surface instead of directly on the ground will help deter rot and keep the creepy crawlies out.
Variety of styles
Wooden planters are available in a wide variety of styles. Even after they’ve weathered they have an attractive, rustic look about them. And they can be easily painted to match your house or garden furniture.
While they are not as light as plastic planters, they are lighter and easier to move than ceramic or stone, and therefore better suited to plants that need to be moved seasonally. The insulating qualities of wood make it well suited for warm climates and direct sunlight, where other planters might transmit too much heat to the roots and kill the plant. At the same time, wood is a good choice for colder areas and for plants that you plan to leave out over the winter, since it will keep out frost and not go brittle in cold, as plastic might.
Plant choice
If you are growing plants that come up in vines or creepers, such as tomatoes, clematis or hydrangea, wooden planters will probably be your best choice because many of them either include a built-in trellis or can have one added with minimal effort. Large planters can even hold an entire vegetable plot. You should choose plants that are better able to handle dry conditions: regardless of what your planter is made from, the soil in it will dry out faster than ground soil.
