The planters with wooden boxes are a beloved choice to furnish balconies, terraces and gardens. But it is enough to make them rot. That’s why knowing the three most common mistakes can really save your green corner.
When it comes to Wooden boxes for plantersthat mix between rustic elegance and timeless naturalness immediately comes to mind, capable of giving life to the most anonymous terrace. But right there, where the wood seems to tell a story made of nature and simplicity, a silent enemy is hidden: humidity. That it rains or waters with a little too enthusiasm, little changes. The water infiltrates, stops and … ruins everything.
Still, preventing is much simpler than you think. Just observe the cassette well before planting even a geranium. Is it stable? Do you have cracks? Was it treated? Fast control can save several headaches. Often it is believed that a nice flower is enough to make everything perfect, but without a healthy base even the most resistant plant will make a bad end. Better to think about it before, right?
Wooden boxes as a planters: wrong treatments and unauthorized paints
It looks trivial, but many choose raw wooden boxes because “so it is more natural”. Too bad that the wood left to its destiny absorbs water like a sponge. When it rains or watering too much, the result is predictable: rot. It is not even enough to pass any paint. In fact, some interior paints create only a film that flakes the first rain. Better to choose specific treatments hydrophi or impregnating to water suitable for external use. And don’t forget the interior of the box: it is often precisely there that the wood begins to deteriorate.
Another little -known trick? The type of wood also matters. Some, such as fir or pine, are cheap but not very resistant. Others, such as teak or larch, last much longer even without aggressive treatments.
Forget the drainage: beginners error
A florker without drainage is like a bottomless vase. The water stagnates, the roots suffocate, and the wood … is impregnated to rot. Just a week of stagnation is enough to irreparably damage the internal structure. Over time, cracks, mold and even unwanted insects will form. And all this while you think it is enough to water well for having happy plants.
Here’s what should never be missing:
- Holes on the bottom of the box to make the water flow
- A layer of expanded clay o big gravel
- Breathable or tnt fabric between drainage and soil
Does it seem complicated? It is actually a simple job, but which makes miracles. In addition to protecting the wood, I also avoid the formation of mold and bad smells. Ah, and be careful not to obstruct the holes with the earth: just a retina or a piece of fabric.
Place the box directly on the ground
Last, but no less serious, is the mistake of Place the boxes directly on the floor. Direct contact with wet surfaces accelerates degradation.
Better to lift them with feet, bricks, or with special plastic or metal supports. In doing so, a good air circulation is guaranteed even below, and the risk is significantly reduced that the wood absorbs humidity from the bottom.
Another trick? Use raised saucers, or line the base with waterproof rubber sheets. Sometimes it is precisely from the smallest details that the difference is noted.
The planters with wooden boxes can last years, even outdoors, if you avoid these errors.
You don’t need to spend a fortune: just know a few more tricks and take time to prepare them carefully.
Photo © Stock.adobe
FOLLOW CASTLI NEWS ON
