 |
There are a variety of
approaches you can use. I will discuss these two in this article.
Planting directly in the box.
I have used
this method for many years. The box holds the dirt directly inside
it, and therefore should be made of pressure treated wood. I have
tried cedar, but it didn't last as long as the pressure treated
wood.
The soil and peat moss is added to the box and
freshened each year and the flowers do just fine. This is a
relatively simple approach.
Planting in a planter inside
a box.
If you build the box to hold a planter you can
make the box out of any wood although I would use pressure treated
wood at least for the bottoms and the inside should be painted as
well as the outside. The advantage here is you can lift the planter
out of the box to pot the plants and change out the soil. I think
this method is best for second story windows or any window too high
to get to from the ground.
Determining the size
To make your planter, it will have to be custom designed for
your windows. And this of course, besides the cost and pleasure of
doing it yourself is why you will want to make them in the first
place. The box should be as wide as the window and frame including
trim. You can vary that of course to your taste but I find this
seems to be the most appealing (my own opinion). Measure the width
of your window and frame and this is your boxes length.
If
you are going to place a long plastic planter in the box rather than
plant directly in the box, go to the store and buy your planters
now. Their width, depth and even length will determine the size box
you will make. You can use the general directions given here, but
make your dimensions fit your planters' size at a minimum. If you
are planting directly into the box, you can use the dimensions I
provide, but recognize they are not critical. Varying them slightly
will not alter the final look.
|
 |
|
|
.gif){kind=small}
