also, what do you suggest that I line the planter with? Is there anything I can line the cedar box with, other than plastic?

If this was me, I would plant the veggies in the largest plastic pots I could fit in the planter. Use a good potting soil and make sure the planter has drainage holes. I expect that you could plant the basil and oregano in one pot each, them the peppers in the 3rd pot. The tomatoes and squash might be too big for this planter. It would depend on the pot size. But with only 34" from side to side it seems too small. Then when you are done with the veggies, you can put in some new plants in large pots. I rarely plant directly in freestanding planters or window boxes. I just plant in plastic pots and swap out when they start looking tired.

In relation to the wood portion of the questions:

That is such a nice planter, I'd also suggest you use it as a holder of containers. Notice the description says "holds pots up to 17 inches in diameter".

Look real close at the slats on the sides, are they fitted pretty tight without any light showing between them? They probably are, which is good.

The outside finish should be fine -- even if you decide to put soil directly inside it. The manufacturer leaves the inside unfinished because many people don't want to put anything on the inside of the wood when they place soil in it -- for fear of the toxicity. Cedar wood is right up there with good anti-rot features, even if you do not coat it. It will not last as long if you don't, but depending on where you live the years of elements may long damage the outside of the container (functionally and aesthetically) before an uncoated inside is ruined. Here in central CA this happens all the time.

I've used a rubber or asphalt coating product that is used as a prune sealer. You can still find it in the big box stores as an aerosol spray either called Pruning Sealer or "Wound healer" or the like..

Actually, I just searched google and the topmost item returns this:

Asphalt based sealer

Which is the first time I've seen this, but it says "Can also be used to waterproof pots and tubs."

Good luck,

I have no affiliation with the above link provided so I cannot make any recommended to the vendor or the product.

Hi durhamgardener, have you ever been to Logan Trading Company in Raleigh (just off Peace Street downtown)? They have a really large & knowledgable staff (and sell the boxes that you got so they'll know all about them). They will spend a lot of time with you to answer questions and educate you, and this Saturday I believe they are even sponsoring a talk on (square foot) vegetable gardening. I have no affiliation with them, I just love that place & go there about once a week. It's the best place I know for gardening help in this area.

durham, I just got Logan's e-newsletter and here's the info about the class they're holding tomorrow...I may go since I am such a newbie at this. It would be a bit of a drive for you but I have found them so helpful.

FREE CLASS

Saturday June 13th- 3PM

- Growing and maintaining food in the garden
- When to harvest and how to harvest
- What about a second crop?

Join our own plant doctor and garden specialist Chris Henderson - and get all of your questions answered.

Not sure if it's safe, but you could easily fit 2 tomato plants in there (no more than this though would be advisable). You could put your 3 basil in one, your 3 oregano in one & your 2 pepper plants (prob fit 1 more) in one. If you're worried about the treated wood thing, line the inside with plastic & poke random small holes in the bottom plastic for drainage.

- Steve

Everyone, Thank you so much for your help!

I've been worrying about these plants and what to do with the planter, so your advice is a big help. As a couple of you suggested, I think I will try to find the 17" pots instead of planting directly. I had previously tried looking at Lowes and Ace Hardware, but couldn't find 17" square pots for some reason.

Ditnc's suggestion of Logans Trading company is a possibility. Hopefully they have 17" diameter square pots that will fit. I've never been there before, but I am going to try to attend tomorrow's class. Thanks for the info, ditnc!

Steve and gardenerme,
It looks like I can only fit 2 pots if I can find 17" diameter square ones. So, would I put 1 pepper plant in each pot...then the 3 basil sharing a pot with one pepper, and the 3 oregano sharing a pot with the other pepper?

Cebury,
Thanks for all the info! The planter slats are very close together, so it looks good. I definitely don't want the planter to rot, so I think I'll go ahead and fill it with pots.

Hi Ditnc,
I called Logan's Trading company, and unfortunately they told me that they don't sell the Boise Cedar Patio Planter made by Wood Country. Did you perhaps see the planter in a different store that is local?

Unfortunately, the Logan's lady I spoke with didn't have any square pots that would fit. And round plastic pots she could think of wouldn't fit right either. Ssince the store is a little far for me, I might try Home Depot or something close by before I head out there.

Does anyone know where I can find square 17" cheap pots to fill the planter? I tried searching online, but I must be using the wrong search terms, because I keep running into expensive square pots. Maybe I'm not going about this right. Maybe round smaller pots will be all that I can fit in there.

hi durham, sorry, I didn't mean they sold that particular brand, just that they sold similar style wood planters.

I have looked everywhere around here for (inexpensive) containers this season. I have found square, but can't remember where. Do you really need square? Why not 17" diameter round? The best prices I have found are at Walmart and Ace Hardware. (Walmart had the best prices, can't recall whether they had 17" square.) I looked at the planters at HD near Northgate last night, and they had lots, but, again, don't recall whether they had square. And I wouldn't buy containers at Logan's (too expensive) unless it was for the looks/style, eg, glazed pottery. I go to Logan's for their knowledge, specialty things and a great assortment of things(like tomato plants)I can't find elsewhere. Good luck!

Don't waste your useful space by putting pots in it. Line it with Visqueen(Plastic sheeting available at any hardware store), drill drainage holes in the bottom, and use the entire planter. Use the square foot gardening method and divide the planter into THIRDS. In each third you can easily fit a tomato, a pepper, a squash, or six herbs.

"Don't waste your useful space by putting pots in it. Line it with Visqueen(Plastic sheeting available at any hardware store), drill drainage holes in the bottom, and use the entire planter. Use the square foot gardening method and divide the planter into THIRDS. In each third you can easily fit a tomato, a pepper, a squash, or six herbs."

Yep...do that. =)

this is such a great forum! Especially for someone like me who is completely clueless about gardening.

ditnc,
Sorry I misunderstood your posting. Thanks so much for your help!

Rob_thompson and tn veggie gardner,
I just got back from Target, and the only pots I could find were round, and didn't fit right. So, I think I will probably take your advice and run out to Ace Hardware and look for Visqueen.

Another question,
All of the veggies and herbs I mentioned have been growing for a couple of months in pots. I didn't know what I was doing, so I had possibly overcrowded some of the plants. At the widest part (at the top of the pot), the pots measure anywhere between 10 - 13" wide. I now realize that plants can suffer from overcrowding or transplanting. Do you recommend I transplant, or start new seedlings in the big planter I bought? I'll feel bad if these plants don't make it :-( I want to do what's best.

1 pot has 2 cherry tomatoes
1 pot has 3 cherry tomatoes
1 pot has 2 bell peppers
1 pot has 1 yellow squash
1 pot has 3 basil
1 pot has 3 oregano