Summer Maintenance For Your Cedar Planters Raised Garden Bed
By Victoria Fuller
We often get asked whether our raised garden beds and planter boxes require maintenance at this time of year so we wanted to share some tips on how to keep your Cedar Planters raised garden bed or planter box in tip top shape even in the heat of the summer!
1. Do I need to protect my planter box from the sun?
Our planter boxes are made with the highest quality Western Red Cedar, known for its ability to withstand a number of elements and potentially damaging rays from the sun. Although over time our wood sidings can fade, many of our customers have actually said that they prefer the shade of the “slightly weathered” look. Keeping your box in full-sun year round will eventually lead to the colour of the wood fading from the light orangey-brown shade that we start with to more of a light gray shade.
2. Should I replace my soil throughout the summer?
Our planter boxes and raised garden beds are fabulous for a number of reasons, but when it comes to keeping our soil (and plants!) happy they are truly the cats meow! The bottom of our garden beds have pre-drilled drainage holes so there is almost zero percent chance that your soil and plant roots will grow mold or rot, this means that there is a significantly lower chance that you will need to replace your soil! That being said, it is always a good idea to “refresh” and circulate your soil each season to ensure that your plants are getting the nutrients that they need to thrive!
3. Do I need to add a special stain to my planter box?
Our planter boxes are beautiful, sustainable, and tough without a stain, but if you are so inclined adding a stain is a fantastic way to not only prolong the quality and life of the product but also to make your planter box more your own! We personally stand by (and sell!) Osmo’s products as we feel that they work best with our planter boxes and raised garden beds! We personally highly recommend the UV protection oil, this multi-purpose oil protects against water and dirt as well as protecting against wood swelling and shrinkage!
4. Will my planter box rot if it gets too wet or humid?
Western Red Cedar is known for its durability and is able to withstand rot and decay for up to 30 years! That being said; if you live in an incredibly humid area it is worth investing in sealants (like Osmo’s) to ensure that your raised garden bed is as protected as can be!
5. Is it too late to start planting new flowers or vegetables this time of year?
August is often overlooked when it comes to gardening as most people fear that it’s too late to really grow anything worthwhile but that is certainly not true! There are many flowers, herbs, and vegetables which have a shorter growing season and also thrive more in cooler temperatures, these include (but aren’t limited to!): Snapdragons, Kale, Cucumbers, Black-Eyed Susans, Spinach, Radishes, and many more!
We hope that this blog post has been insightful for you, remember that it isn’t too late to start gardening or to continue tending to your existing garden! If you have any questions please feel free to email us at info@cedarplanters.com!
I have 4 new planter boxes I want to clear seal for added life and protection. I plan to purchase the osmo uv oil. I’m seeing advice to only cover the outside, use 2 coats…what prep do I have to do to the planters for best results? Any sanding, clearing loose particles by dry brushing or vacuuming? What’s the best application method-rag, brushing? Any further advice or suggestions?
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Danielle,
Great question! To get the best results on your new planters, simply apply the Osmo UV oil to the outside using the bristle brush. There is no need to sand.
Happy Gardening
Do I need to cut holes in my garden fabric liner before putting my soil in it?
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Michael,
We would not suggest that you cut any holes in your liner before putting soil in it!
The liner that comes with your planter allows the water to pass through it naturally, so you won’t need to add do anything additionally.
Happy Planting!
I live in MN and getting ready for winter. I recently ordered one of your raised bed covers so I can leave my garden box outdoors on my patio. Should I remove the dirt from the box or can I leave it in (and replenish it) in the spring?
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Mimi,
Thank you so much for your question ! We would suggest leaving it in, then in the spring, refreshing the soil by loosening it, adding some compost or fresh soil mix, and topping it up if needed. This will help replenish nutrients and set your plants up for a healthy growing season. Happy Planting !
Coat the exterior only?
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Charles,
Thank you for your question, we would suggest if using a stain or seal , that only the exterior of the planter is coated. If you are using the OSMO UV protection oil on our website, this is a great food safe , non-toxic option!
Happy Planting!
How many coats of oil (and how often) do you apply to raised garden beds? what is the preferred process?
thank you,
Stephanie
———
Cedar Planters replied:
Hi Stephanie,
You can apply 1-2 thin coats of Osmo UV to the raised garden bed with a brush and keep up with this as often as you feel is needed. It may be 1-2 times per season, but this is more for aesthetics.
Happy Planting!
Leave a comment