Planter Boxes

So, Missy and I are going to try to raise vegetables this summer. However, we’ve got kind of a tough yard – mostly shaded, pretty rocky. The only real flat spot has the boy’s playscape on it, though once they get a bit older, I think we’re having a bonfire and converting it to a garden.

So, our only real option left has been to build boxes and do some intensive container gardening. As it’s not yet May in Connecticut yet, we’re not completely behind the times. So, here’s today’s batch:

Planter Boxes for Veggies

I designed them to use standard 8′ lengths of lumber without much waste. The planting portion of each box is 7’x1’x1′, which let me use standard 8′ lengths of lumber. The sides are 1/2″x6″ roughcut from a local lumber store that sells them cheap in 16′ lengths. I cut a foot off of each board, and used that to make the ends of the boxes. I also cut a 2″x4″ into 1′ lengths and used that, with another 2×4 on each side, to brace the bottom of the boxes. Each box has a 4×4 at the corner, cut to fit a slope. I’m lining them with 5 mil plastic with some drainage through holes in the boards, and once they’re full of dirt, we’ll put in a soaker hose for watering.

The installed prototype is here:

Planter Boxes for Veggies

Missy started seeds this weekend, and I’ve got another 4 or so boxes to build. I think I’ll do an Instructable about putting the boxes together when I do the rest of them. Until then, it’s store-bought fresh veg.

4 thoughts on “Planter Boxes”

  1. nice idea, looks like a lot of work! seems like a good way to keep out pesky critters that might feel the need to snack on the vege’s

  2. clever idea. even if you have space this is more water conservative – just add plenty of mulch on top.
    I started tomatoe seedlings and they are about an inch tall now.

  3. Looks great! Just watched a great show/website on home gardening tomatoes. It was an Oklahoma show but good info. oklahomagardening.okstate.edu
    good tips: put stakes in ground as you plant the plant so it won’t damage root system. Use mulch to keep plants warm until it gets too hot, then cover mulch with straw which cools them. That’s all I know ab gardening…talk to Mr. Jank the Gardener

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