Hi,
What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
concerned about the pressure treated. Obviously cost is always an
issue. Are there any other choices? I also wonder about the
synthetic materials that are used for decks. Is this a good idea?
Thanks,
Doug
kilerbbb asks:
>
>What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
>I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
>will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
>concerned about the pressure treated.
Drop PT, add cypress.
Cedar and redwood heartwood only.
IME, the synthetics used for decks are useful only in small objects, which
might or might not mean a planter. They are useless in decks where span between
joists is more than 16" OC, because of flex. I'm not at all sure of what the
chemistry is that forms these things from ground up bits of plastic and wood,
but I think for planter purposes, I'd be more inclined to go with red cedar,
redwood, cypress and leave the chemists to their cauldrons.
Charlie Self
"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance
of being right." Thomas Paine
I like the plastic inserts with well-drained wood around them. Then you
have cedar, redwood, tropicals, or just paint to keep up.
Oh yes, if the durable woods had been treated for resistance by man rather
than nature, I doubt they'd make it to market. Chemicals is chemicals, but
fortunately plants take up what they need in preference to just what's
there.
"kilerbbb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
> I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
> will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
> concerned about the pressure treated. Obviously cost is always an
> issue. Are there any other choices? I also wonder about the
> synthetic materials that are used for decks. Is this a good idea?
>
> Thanks,
> Doug
HUH? I said "Take up," not synthesize, didn't I?
And it's really true.
"Roy Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "George" <george@least> wrote:
> > Chemicals is chemicals, but fortunately plants take up what they need
> > in preference to just what's there.
>
> That's not really true. Plants synthesize (and/or concentrate) all
> sorts of stuff that's hazardous. Poison ivy would be a common example.
> Venus fly traps make enzymes which digest entire insects. Rhubarb
> leaves contain enough oxalic acid to be toxic. And of course there's
> all sorts of wonderful and fun chemicals made by cannibis, poppy,
> mushrooms, etc.
On 26 Apr 2004 05:05:40 -0700, [email protected] (kilerbbb) wrote:
>
> >Hi,
> >
> >What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
> >I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood.
Pressure trated is ugly if nothing else. Probably would hold u and I have
no idea about the chemicals. I'd avoid it personally.
Redwood, at least in the east, is very expensive. I just priced some at
$6.79 a bd. ft. White oak and cypress are $3.25. Cedar should be down
there also.
I have no idea how well the decking material would be. What I've seen has
grooves on the bottom for the floor and does not seem suitable for making
things from it. It is not cheap either.
Even pine will hold up for a couple of years with a little protection. Look
for the close-out buys at Home Depot. You may waste some but you can often
get 50¢ boards.
Ed
How about locust or white oak?
cheap, looks good, and at least locust is weatherproof enough for fence
posts. From what I understand, white oak would also be a good choice as
long as it wasn't continually wet.
Jim
[email protected] (Charlie Self) wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> kilerbbb asks:
>
>>
>>What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
>>I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
>>will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
>>concerned about the pressure treated.
>
> Drop PT, add cypress.
>
> Cedar and redwood heartwood only.
>
> IME, the synthetics used for decks are useful only in small objects,
> which might or might not mean a planter. They are useless in decks
> where span between joists is more than 16" OC, because of flex. I'm
> not at all sure of what the chemistry is that forms these things from
> ground up bits of plastic and wood, but I think for planter purposes,
> I'd be more inclined to go with red cedar, redwood, cypress and leave
> the chemists to their cauldrons.
>
> Charlie Self
> "A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial
> appearance of being right." Thomas Paine
>
> IME, the synthetics used for decks are useful only in small objects, which
> might or might not mean a planter. They are useless in decks where span between
> joists is more than 16" OC, because of flex. I'm not at all sure of what the
> chemistry is that forms these things from ground up bits of plastic and wood,
> but I think for planter purposes, I'd be more inclined to go with red cedar,
> redwood, cypress and leave the chemists to their cauldrons.
What about Teak? Water doesn't damage it? Boats are made of it.
Alex
"Charlie Self" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> Yes, well, boats are made of cedar, too, and it's one helluva lot cheaper
than
> teak. I think the OP had something in there about cost of the wood, and
teak
> tends to be on the high side of 10 bucks a bf. Whoo, I just checked and
> Paxton's is getting $20.56 a bf.
>
> I think I paid $3.60 for some cypress late last year.
>
> Charlie Self
I went to a Smith & Hawken store yesterday to scout out a chaise lounge.
They have stuff made from teak. I'm figuring either white oak or cypress is
going to cost me $130 or so. Teak would be $700.
They were selling their lounge for $1100. IMO it was not worth $130 I'm
going to spend. Mine will be heavier and better built. But I can't justify
$700 in wood just to nap on the patio.
Ed
AArDvarK asks:
>> but I think for planter purposes, I'd be more inclined to go with red
>cedar,
>> redwood, cypress and leave the chemists to their cauldrons.
>
>
>What about Teak? Water doesn't damage it? Boats are made of it.
Yes, well, boats are made of cedar, too, and it's one helluva lot cheaper than
teak. I think the OP had something in there about cost of the wood, and teak
tends to be on the high side of 10 bucks a bf. Whoo, I just checked and
Paxton's is getting $20.56 a bf.
I think I paid $3.60 for some cypress late last year.
Charlie Self
"Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak
being often but an explosion of anger." Thucydides
In article <[email protected]>, george@least
says...
> I like the plastic inserts with well-drained wood around them. Then you
> have cedar, redwood, tropicals, or just paint to keep up.
>
A plastic or clay pot inside of cedar is long lasting (holes in
the cedar bottom, please) and fairly cheap. I've also used
redwood, but it's hard to beat the price of cedar fence boards.
Laminate a couple for the posts.
--
Where ARE those Iraqi WMDs?
kilerbbb wrote:
> Hi,
>
> What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
> I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
> will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
> concerned about the pressure treated. Obviously cost is always an
> issue. Are there any other choices? I also wonder about the
> synthetic materials that are used for decks. Is this a good idea?
You might want to take a look at
<http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/service/library/index.php3?docID=326&docHistory
5B%5D=14>, which contains a good deal of information about the decay
resistance of both natural and pressure treated woods, including a good
list of reasonably available decay-resistant species--there are many
choices available, which you go with depends on how much you want to spend
and whether you're going to paint the box or not (some very durable species
don't take paint very well, on the other hand there's no point in springing
for Brazilian rosewood if you're going to cover it up with paint).
Note that in all cases it is the heartwood that is resitant, not the
sapwood.
Once you think you've decided on a species, look it up in the FPL database
<http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/CommNames2000.html> or on the various lists
accessible from <http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/CommNames2000.html> and make
sure that the particular variety you're looking at is in fact decay
resistant ("cedar" for example covers a lot of territory) and find out what
other names it is sold under (for example "Lapacho" from the paper I
referenced above is also sold under the name "Ipe" as decking).
The FPL database will also give you some information on workability,
toxicity, and problems with glueing or finishing.
> Thanks,
> Doug
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
On 26 Apr 2004 05:05:40 -0700, [email protected] (kilerbbb) wrote:
>Hi,
>
>What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
>I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
>will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
>concerned about the pressure treated. Obviously cost is always an
>issue. Are there any other choices? I also wonder about the
>synthetic materials that are used for decks. Is this a good idea?
>
>Thanks,
>Doug
White oak is a good outdoor choice. But, for a planter box, you
should line the box with plastic or tar paper. The composite decking
boards, as you mentioned, are good too. PT wood should not come in
contact with food, and PT dust should not be inhaled. If you can find
plastic containers (wastebaskets, tubs, etc) you can build the planter
box such that the containers slip inside the planter box. Make sure
there's plenty drainage holes.
Redwood was used for the several I've made. Henry Asphalt Emulsion
was used on the interior up to dirt level for waterproofing.
On 26 Apr 2004 05:05:40 -0700, [email protected] (kilerbbb) wrote:
>Hi,
>
>What would be the best wood to use for making an outdoor planter box?
>I think the choices are pressure treated, cedar or redwood. The boxes
>will potentially be used for growing some vegetable plants so I am
>concerned about the pressure treated. Obviously cost is always an
>issue. Are there any other choices? I also wonder about the
>synthetic materials that are used for decks. Is this a good idea?
>
>Thanks,
>Doug
"George" <george@least> wrote:
> Chemicals is chemicals, but fortunately plants take up what they need
> in preference to just what's there.
That's not really true. Plants synthesize (and/or concentrate) all
sorts of stuff that's hazardous. Poison ivy would be a common example.
Venus fly traps make enzymes which digest entire insects. Rhubarb
leaves contain enough oxalic acid to be toxic. And of course there's
all sorts of wonderful and fun chemicals made by cannibis, poppy,
mushrooms, etc.
Roy Smith adds:
>
>That's not really true. Plants synthesize (and/or concentrate) all
>sorts of stuff that's hazardous. Poison ivy would be a common example.
>Venus fly traps make enzymes which digest entire insects. Rhubarb
>leaves contain enough oxalic acid to be toxic. And of course there's
>all sorts of wonderful and fun chemicals made by cannibis, poppy,
>mushrooms, etc.
>
Rosewood is also a fun wood. Almost everyone is at least slightly allergic to
it.
Charlie Self
"Wars spring from unseen and generally insignificant causes, the first outbreak
being often but an explosion of anger." Thucydides
"AArDvarK" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Maajc.21168$432.13543@fed1read01...
>
> What about Teak? Water doesn't damage it? Boats are made of it.
> Alex
So are second mortgages made from it.
Ed