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Container Gardening

Wooden Deck Garden Container Drainage

14 years ago

Hi, my husband just built for me a 2ftx4ft wooden container for a deck garden. We have too many deer and other animals to make it feasible for a conventional garden.

What should I put in the bottom for drainage? A layer of pebbles or gravel on the bottom? I thought of covering the interior with a plastic then adding the rock. I do not want to drill holes in the bottom because the water I would think would eventully rot the deck.

Any suggestions or ideas would be great. Thank you!

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Comments (7)

greenwood85
14 years ago
You're going to need drainage. Your deck should be treated with sealant to keep the water out. Landscape fabric, maybe?

I'm having a difficult time picturing what your garden will look like. Are you think a basic raised bed on a deck instead of soil? Why not use separate containers for the plants with holes for drainage in them? Or is that what you mean?
bcskye
14 years ago
Why not make drainage holes with tubing coming out of them which would be directed off the side of the deck?
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Great feedback, people! Thanks so much. As far as I can tell, the planter I saw is custom made. I didn't want to get too close, because it was on someone's front porch and I wanted to respect their privacy. I'm pretty sure it's all metal. I'm seriously tempted to knock on their door and ask questions. Too bad they're on the other side of town. Sara21, thanks for the link to the Drain Pot. I hadn't seen that. If anyone else has any ideas, I'd love to hear them. I've got an engineer and carpenter brainstorming on something. When we build it, I'll post pictures and specs.
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When I bought my good styrofoam type containers (years ago on mega-sale), they came with no holes in the bottom. I was told to drill holes, so I got the wood punch that magically appeared in the basement after we had our kitchen renovated, and the electric drill, and put about 6 holes in the bottom. The drill was probably overkill, but it definitely worked. I only bother elevating pots if they are sitting on pavement. I never bother with anything besides potting soil in the pot because I've heard too much about perched water tables and other issues. With just potting soil I know what I've got in there. It works. Personally, I'd be somewhat reluctant to reuse the old potting soil for roses. I'd have no problems letting it dry out and using it for some other type of plant. We usually grow tomatoes in pots over the summer, and I'll use that soil for practically everything except more tomatoes. Same principle. Hot isn't necessarily the same as hot and dry. We often get weather patterns where it is quite hot, but extremely humid. Nothing evaporates so the plants don't use a lot of water. Then it cools down, dries off, and everything suddenly needs a lot more water. It's a learning curve.
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I have a picture I can post if you can guide me. I did cut some holes in the liner but I may need more. Also, the first bed is made on super heavy pallets that carried Pavestone, with a liner. That liner is simply old Easy-Up side panels stapled in place. There are seams that he just didn't seal, so I'm not worried about that drainage. The second on is essentially a raised boxes with a floor made of scap plywood and some large sections of HardiBacker panels. The point is that they are strong enough to handle any weight from rain. The legs are 4x4 timbers. The liner in that one is a single piece of pond liner we had lying around. I will probably find a way to make some more holes in it. We did load it with dirt, but I can go under it with a drill. I don't know how long veggie roots get to be. This post was edited by ann_in_houston on Mon, May 27, 13 at 23:18
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
14 years ago
Gravel (or pebbles) do not 'add drainage'. They merely reduce the plant-able volume. Not adding ample holes for drainage will prevent you from being able to water properly, and if this planter is exposed to rainfall.....yikes. Excess water will collect and stagnate in the bottom of the planter, causing a real problem for your plants.

Place the planter on 'feet' so that the water can drain (from the holes you should drill) away quickly. Just like rainfall, your deck should be able to withstand something like that quite readily. Use window screen (or similar) to place over the holes before adding your porous potting medium. That will keep the 'stuff' from falling out of the holes when you water.
rock_oak_deer
14 years ago
I have been gardening on the deck for years and have not had a problem with the deck rotting under pots. The water just runs off between the decking boards.

I have one large planter like an oversized window box that is on bricks to keep it off the deck a bit.

Move things around from time to time, so you see any problems.
ribbit32004
14 years ago
I have tons of pots on our deck. I use the dishes or whatever you call them that go under the pots. The deck never gets wet.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Corner Yard
tn_veggie_gardner
14 years ago
I was going to say exactly what bcskye did. Might have to think it out/plan it out a bit to make sure it'd work, but I think that'd be the best idea. Maybe build a mock stand for it out of 2x4's and have a few pvc pipes coming out the bottom going off the deck.
soilsenasuil
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi, I was out of town but thanks for all the replys! I think I may try drilling holes and adding the pipe for drain off. We have to stain and reseal the deck because the people before us did not do a very good job. We choice to make a rolling raised bed because it was about $12 and holds several plants. And boy am i cheap, drives my husband crazy!

Thanks again!

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