wooden containers for vegitables ???

[khalidaminryk]

i have 4X4X1 wooden box .. if i put soil in it, and grow vegetables, it will damage wood , should i lay plastic sheet in it before putting soil in.. will plastic sheet harm the plants or not ????

[M Farooq]

i have 4X4X1 wooden box .. if i put soil in it, and grow vegetables, it will damage wood , should i lay plastic sheet in it before putting soil in.. will plastic sheet harm the plants or not ????

It depends on the wood type and whether there are preservatives/ fungicides on wood or not. However, laying a just plastic sheet will be even more harmful since it will block air flow. This will promote root rot from water logging. On the other hand, if you manage to make enough drain holes, then the plants may survive.

Here are some guidelines from the New York Botanical Garden website:

Wooden barrels and window boxes are always popular. To increase the life of your window box, use a plastic liner that you place inside the window box. Always make sure that you have adequate drainage holes.

When choosing wooden containers, remember to look for wood that has been painted with non-toxic wood preservative and colored wood stain or paint. If you are interested in longevity, choose rot-resistant wood such as cedar and red wood. On the other hand, if you are in the market for a bargain, pine is a good choice but will need wood preservative and three coats of paint.

The wood on any container should be at least 1-inch thick. Wood containers are good insulators; soil retains its moisture in the middle of the summer and does not overheat. It is best to raise wooden tubs off the ground so water does not pool under the container--place bricks underneath to prevent rot and improved drainage.

[khalidaminryk]

thanx dear..

i did the same a lots of holes in the bottom for drainage... and hope for the survival of plants ..