I want to make a small outdoor planter from inexpensive boards. It will sit on paving, get regular rain and be watered frequently, so I'm more worried about drainage and rot than making it look fancy. I'm planning gaps along the base, raised feet and a lining that doesn't trap water against the wood. Is there a practical finish or wood choice that meaningfully extends its life without costing more than a ready-made box?
Making a simple planter box that can survive wet weather
- diy-projects
- simple
- planter
- survive
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1 reply
If you use pine, an exterior oil or stain on the outside only is the practical route. Make the feet sacrificial and keep the base off the pa...
If you use pine, an exterior oil or stain on the outside only is the practical route. Make the feet sacrificial and keep the base off the paving so water doesn’t sit under it.
Agreed on the feet. I’ve seen boxes last much longer just because the bottom edge wasn’t sitting in wet concrete after every rain.
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Honestly, the ready-made box might still win if you price your time. But if you build it, I’d spend on screws and decent drainage before I s...
Honestly, the ready-made box might still win if you price your time. But if you build it, I’d spend on screws and decent drainage before I spent on fancy finish.
1 reply
For a planter like that, wood choice matters more than finish. Cedar or larch will usually outlast cheap pine by a lot, even with a basic ex...
For a planter like that, wood choice matters more than finish. Cedar or larch will usually outlast cheap pine by a lot, even with a basic exterior finish.
I’d skip anything that seals the inside completely. Let the box breathe and drain, or it’ll rot from trapped moisture no matter what you paint on it.