Top tips for lining your wooden garden planters
Lining a wooden planter for flowers and vegetables can help retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and protect the wood from rotting. There are several effective ways to line a wooden planter, and the best method depends on your preferences and the materials available. Here are three common and effective ways to line a wooden planter:
1. Plastic Liner:
- Purchase a plastic planter liner that fits the dimensions of your wooden planter or cut a heavy-duty plastic sheet to size.
- Ensure the plastic has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot.
- Place the plastic liner inside the wooden planter, pressing it against the sides and the bottom.
- Trim any excess plastic from the top if needed.
- Fill the planter with soil and proceed with planting your flowers and vegetables.
2. Landscape Fabric:
- Measure the interior dimensions of your wooden planter and cut a piece of landscape fabric to fit.
- Landscape fabric allows for proper drainage while also preventing soil from escaping through the gaps in the wood.
- Place the landscape fabric inside the planter, making sure it covers the bottom and sides, with excess fabric hanging over the edges.
- Fill the planter with soil and then fold the excess fabric over the top of the soil.
- Proceed with planting your flowers and vegetables.
3. Pond Liner or Geotextile Fabric:
- Pond liner or geotextile fabric provides excellent durability and helps prevent wood rot.
- Measure the interior dimensions of your wooden planter and cut the pond liner or geotextile fabric to fit.
- Place the liner inside the planter, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides completely.
- If using pond liner, you may want to use a heat gun to soften and mold it to the shape of the planter for a neater fit.
- Trim any excess material from the top if needed.
- Fill the planter with soil and proceed with planting your flowers and vegetables.
Remember that proper drainage is essential for the health of your plants, so make sure to create drainage holes in the liner if they are not present already. Additionally, it's a good idea to choose non-toxic materials to line your planter, especially if you are growing edible plants.
Choose the method that suits your needs best and enjoy your beautiful and productive wooden planter filled with flowers and vegetables!