1' of good soil is enough for anything including root crops like carrots. Most veggies only need 6-8" of quality soil before they hit the crap soil to do very well. No need to stain cedar. It is naturally rot resistant and with reasonable care will last you many years before it degrades to the point where it requires reinforcement and will take reinforcement for a few years before requiring replacement. You are all set to get growing.

Ginger is right, if you are staining a real Longaberger basket - you will destroy any value of it and some are worth some $$$ now. If that isn't of any importance - and you want the basket stained - I would not use a waterbased stain - but a oil based stain. I have stained baskets many times and just use regular oil based stain. Use a foam brush and do both the inside and outside, using a generous amount. It should stain evenly...just wipe off the excess with an old towel. It will be messy and smelly. Do this outside if possible and let the basket dry in a garage or such if you can for several days. I have several Longaberger baskets, and I use them all the time. I don't keep them as a collector item, but use them as intended. When they get dirty, I wash them using a gentle stream of warm water and a small amount of soap. I towel dry them and set them outside to dry on my porch. They are very durable.

John: I called several building supply stores in the area and none of them have heard of TWP, also one paint store, so where do you get it or is this a distributor only product? What is the problem with putting roofing between the boards; I was told this by and old wood worker who has been at it for 40 years, said it would stop the wood from rotting. On one of those home improvment shows I saw them put flasing between the joust and deck; would that be better? btw where is Little Fall Creek, I live out in the country by Coos Bay on the south coast. Thanks for the help Tummy

Watering down the paint may make it too runny and difficult to control....onother option (and there are many) is using a gel stain, "Burnt Umber" is the most used color for antiquing, I think. If it were mine, I'd experiment with a "dry brush" technique first with paint I had or buy a cheap sample...it would take very little paint. Just barely dip the brush tips in paint, dab brush on paper towel to remove paint, then apply the minimal amount left on brush in a criss-cross or stipple way- rub off what ever you don't like while paint is still wet. You can probably YouTube search "dry brush technique" and see different application how to's. It's fun! If you don't like what you get from playing around...you can always paint it a sold color....and begin again.... I have a beat-up gilded frame mirror that is antiqued with flat cream paint- it has an french antique look - it was a gift from my mom, an estate sale purchase- just saying that light tones can calm down the shine too. Your mirror looks nice above that dresser : )