I want to do some container gardening on my deck since it seems clearing a forested area is going to be impossible this year. I'm trying to find some rectangular, good-quality PLASTIC planter boxes, 2 and 3 feet long, 7-12 inches deep, and have just spent a couple of frustrating hours on the net looking to no avail. Plastic anything is not usually something I choose but in something that is used long-term, and where I dont need the additional weight of wood or whatever I think its a better choice. Anyway, anyone know where I can get some?

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2002

Answers

Hey there, EM!! I'm "almost" positive that Harry and I saw some really nice plastic window boxes at Home Depot...or it could have been at Walmart!! You know how it is. We go from one "big box" store to another and can never remember where we saw the best stuff :-)!! We're trying to talk my MIL into replacing some of her old wooden boxes with the plastic ones!!!

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2002

I have used cardboard with a trash bag liner inside it with the excess folded over and taped for a lightweight , waterproof planter.

-- Anonymous, May 26, 2002

EM, I have some 26" long boxes, about 12" wide and 10-12" deep. I used them to grow greens last year. I got them locally, at a garden/nursery shop called Johannsens. They have them this year too. White and green for sure, and I think they had that orange color that they try to pass off as "terracotta" (real terracotta is NOT that color!). I know they had square ones as well (therefore, smaller), but I don't remember if they had any longer ones. Filled with soil, there are as heavy as I care to be lifting (mostly, I drag them). (608) 271-6211 If you want me to call them, ask questions, then report back, let me know.

I THINK Jung's has them also, but they don't appear to be selling them online. Their closest to you store would be in Stevens Point. (715) 341-8939

Then, there is the possiblity of using "Totes" (Rubbermaid or equivalent). Or you might consider "Earth Boxes" LINK They're made out of recycled plastic, don't cost a lot more than the plastic boxes I mentioned above, and work great. I've used a bunch for (mostly) tomatoes for several years now.

And here is a URL for making them yourself: Bob's Self-Watering Tomato Boxes

Finally, I did a search and came up with the following:

Planter Boxes

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2002

I found the manufacturer of the boxes that I have: http://pottery.fiskars.com/planterra/multiple_planters.html? cat=veranda

They have a Where to Buy section, and if that doesn't do you any good, there is a customer service section, so you could contact them and ask for a dealer in your area.

And just for fun, look at THESE: http://pottery.fiskars.com/planterra/multiple_planters.html? cat=decorator

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2002

I may never go away . . . ;-)

http://www.windowbox.com/

GardenWeb has a whole section on container gardening. That's where I'm snooping around right now, and where I found the link above.

-- Anonymous, May 27, 2002

I have seen some self-watering ones made by Bemis Mfg. for sale at Ace Hardward stores. I rather like the colours that they come in, which are sort of stone-like in a nice olive, tan, and grey. I don't know if they have the same ones I've seen on their website or not -- http://www.bemismfg.com/catalog.cfm?dest=dir&linkon=section&linkid=14

I also have some deep rectangular boxes that I believe I also got at Ace a couple years back that are dark green in colour, not self waterers. It looks like it is about 30" long, and twice as deep as most other planter boxes. I tried lifting one up and it looks like it says 'Plasterra' on the bottom. I grew celery in that size last year.

If you don't care about what it looks like, I can poke around and find instructions on how to make your own self watering grow boxes. I know I bookmarked it somewhere.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2002

Thank you so much for your help! I hate shopping at large chain stores whenever I can avoid it, but I did manage to find some appropriate boxes at a Frank's Nursery here; I still dont have any of the 12" deep ones, but will check out the chains if I must. I'm plantin my matoes today......fun fun fun!! And its hot and sunny! I love summer! (finally!)

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2002

Joy, or anybody else who has used them, I have a couple questions about the Earthboxes. I ordered one to try them out, and am preparing to plant something. Just what is the purpose of the plastic cover? Is it really necesary to use one? Seems preventing weeds is a silly reason in such a small area, and doesnt this closed enviromnent encourage molds and such?

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2002

EM, the plastic cover does not seem to cause a problem with mold or fungus, at least in my experience. I think it's to keep the moisture in and to prevent rain from leaching all the "good stuff" out of it. If you are using "regular" fertilizer (as opposed to organic), you put it in a strip. Letting it get rained on will kill your plants, according to their website: http://www.earthbox.com/FAQ/FAQ_Page_2/faq_page_2.html

I use organic fertilizer, so I just mix it in, per their instructions. I don't know what would happen with that, but I suspect it wouldn't work either. Part of the main point of the Earth Boxes is to stabilize the water and fertilizer your plants receive. And since you got it to experiment with, why not make the first experiment according to their instructions.

Oh, BTW, GardenWeb has numerous mentions and discussions about Earth Boxes. You might want to do a search there.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2002