Planter boxes have many functions and multiple uses. Whether you incorporate them into your garden design to create defined areas or make parts of your garden more accessible, they are a popular solution for many home gardens. Garden boxes have revolutionised gardening in high-density areas and inner-city dwellings. Home gardens, community gardens, restaurant and cafe gardens, thriving planter boxes bring vibrancy and vitality to any setting.
LEARN MOREGarden boxes are an excellent means to grow vegetables or herbs at home and support those who prioritise sustainability and self-sufficiency.
By growing produce, no matter the size of your plot, you are less reliant on store-bought produce, which usually comes with a carbon footprint attached. Your homegrown crop demands nothing from the environment but a little water and sunshine.
Good drainage is essential to the well-being of any plant; this is especially critical within the confines of a planter box. Any water that collects in the base of a planter will drown the plants by cutting off the oxygen supply at the root.
It is recommended that you distribute a layer of drainage material like scoria at the base of the garden box before filling it in with soil. The depth of your drainage layer will be dependent on the depth of your planter box.
We recommend that you line the sides of your planter box with thick-grade garden polythene; this is particularly essential if you build a garden box for growing vegetables and choose to use treated timber. The lining will prevent the chemicals from the treated timber from leaching into the soil, and therefore, your vegetables.
If you are short on outdoor space, live in an apartment or somewhere without a garden, pots and planters are a great gardening solution.
So long as you can position your pots or planters on a balcony or inside a window that receives plenty of natural light, water them according to their needs, and begin with a nutrient-rich potting mix, you can grow a potted garden successfully.
Potted gardens and planter boxes provide an excellent solution for those of us who live in built-up urban areas.
A closed-in courtyard can very quickly be transformed into an oasis of green and calm.
With so many clever modern solutions at our fingertips, there are no limits to what we can now grow - vegetables, herbs or simply a collection of your favourite plants. With some sunshine and nurturing, you can build a flourishing garden.
“So long as you can position your pots or planters on a balcony or inside a window that receives plenty of morning sunshine, water them according to their needs, and begin with a nutrient-rich potting mix, you can grow a potted garden successfully.”
Herbs are among some of the easiest plants to grow. As with all other potted plants, a base of quality, organic, nutrient-rich potting mix and the right amount of sun and watering will see your herb garden thrive.
Most herbs will grow successfully all year round. For the best results, grow basil in the summer months and coriander (cilantro) during the winter.
Have you ever considered growing your vegetables? The rewards are many, including the satisfaction of having grown something from a small plant or seed to the point of harvest. And the convenience of ducking out to your garden to pluck a few leaves of kale or sprigs of rosemary certainly delivers its certain pleasures.
Whether you go large or small, there are so many clever, modern solutions that will support even the most space-restricted endeavours – balcony pots and hanging baskets among them.
If you doubt your green thumb, you need not aim for the full complement of vegetables. A selection of lettuces, greens or herbs can all be grown effortlessly.
Apart from the convenience of having herbs and veggies at your fingertips, additional advantages are worth noting.
Find a spot in your garden that gets a few hours of the morning sun. If you are growing herbs or small plants inside, choose an area that receives a lot of natural light.
The condition of your soil will directly impact the success of your crops. If you are working in a garden bed, mix some good quality organic garden mix through the existing soil to ensure your plants receive a ready supply of nutrients.
If you are working in pots, grab an organic potting mix and add it to your pots directly. Again, good quality soil will yield healthy and nutrient-rich plants.
If you are an inexperienced gardener, set yourself up for a successful experience and start with some grow-friendly plants. Plants like herbs, salad leaves, tomatoes and beans practically grow themselves and produce generous crops. With such excellent results, you’ll be encouraged to explore more options in no time.
If you are an inexperienced gardener, set yourself up for a successful experience and start with some grow-friendly plants. Plants like herbs, salad leaves, tomatoes and beans practically grow themselves and produce generous crops. With such excellent results, you’ll be encouraged to explore more options in no time.
It is best to harvest your crops when your garden is flourishing, produce is ripe or of a good size, and salad plants, greens, and herbs are leafy. If you leave it too long to pick your vegetables, you run the risk of your plants becoming woody or going to seed or, worse, bugs or other pests beating you to it!