While you can grow whatever is seasonally appropriate and best suited to your conditions, I chose to grow mint in part because the root system doesn't require a deep container to be stable (other plants have been easily uprooted by the wind on my deck), and because it will quickly spread to fill its container.
• To start I drilled holes in the crate, spaced about 1" apart, to allow for drainage, with a standard drill bit.
• Once the holes were drilled, I waterproofed the crate by spraying it with an even coat of Thompson's Waterseal $6, making sure to coat both the inside and outside. I allowed it to dry then repeated the process, after the final coat I left it to dry overnight.
• After the crate was dry I laid down one even layer of river rock to assist in drainage, proper drainage will help prevent root rot as well as keep your container from becoming waterlogged. I then filled the container to about 1.5" from the top with potting soil.
• I chose to use Bonnie plants which come with biodegradable pots that make repotting easy and are environmentally friendly. You soak the plants and pots in water then plant them as usual without removing the pot.
Three months later my crate is still going strong! The clear coat allows for some natural graying of the wood, which gives it a nice patina, but the box is sturdy as ever and the mint is thriving.
Images: Kim Lucian
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This is a cute idea! You probably don't need the river rocks though for drainage, if you have so many holes. A piece of landscape fabric or old screen at the bottom would probably work better to stop the soil from washing away. Also, I was wondering whether it's ok to use Thompson's waterseal for growing vegetables? I thought it was untreated wood only, but if this is food safe, then I'd love to try it.
How about tips on where to find the crates.
^^ I was about to ask the same thing! I see so many projects with them, but I have no idea where to get them.
Waterlox is a good product for sealing wood to a waterproof, food-safe finish. I use it on my wood countertops.
I wanna make this so bad!!
http://www.prevailingetquette.com/
I made 3 of these a couple years ago and planted a flower mix in them that attracts bees and butterflies. I love them outside even though they are starting to warp a bit. I get my wine boxes from my neighborhood liquor stores. They have been more than happy to have me take them off their hands!
great idea. plastic lining could work in the way of waterproofing, and packing peanuts for drainage so not as heavy
Wow. Danish oil didn't work. I read that was an option on another blog. I was hopeful that I could recommend that to others. The Thompson's Water Seal sounds good, but I would've been concerned about the chemicals. I'm delighted to hear that everything worked out with it.
I was also really concerned about covering my wine crates with Thompson's Waterproofer since I was going to be planting vegetables for consumption in them. I did some searching and found Earth Safe Finishes Sealer http://amzn.com/B0088LWBSC. No voc, water based, non-toxic, and bpa-free, AND made in the USA! I just painted my crates today, still have to get the dirt but they should be all set up by next weekend!