Do I need to seal a cedar planter?

For the best results, use wood planter boxes made from cedar or redwood lumber, which are naturally water resistant. Using a waterproofing caulk and waterproofing sealant on naturally water-resistant wood creates an almost impermeable environment.

Do you have to seal cedar planters?

While wooden planters need to be sealed, they also must have good drainage, else water collects in the planter and leads to rot and disease. Excess water prematurely ages wood sealants and causes plant death. Before applying sealant to your planter box, ensure that drainage holes are at the bottom.

Do you need to seal cedar raised bed?

Sealing wood garden beds can help extend their lifespan many years beyond unsealed wood. Applying a sealer will protect the wood from moisture intrusion, mold, and decay. However, you don't want to use just any wood sealer on your garden beds!

How do you take care of a cedar planter?

Scrub the planter clean with the plastic dish scrubber and air-dry. Brush all surfaces of the planter with nontoxic, plant-safe waterproofing liquid. Redwood and cedar planters can tolerate harsh weather without warping or splitting, but they look new longer if waterproofed. Let the planter dry thoroughly.

Do I need to waterproof my planter box?

Because it's exposed to the elements, your planter needs to be protected. Whether it's from the rain or the sprinklers that water your plants, too much moisture can lead to rot and weaken the structure overall. Not to mention, a rotting planter doesn't make the best accent piece for your yard.

Water Proofing Cedar Planter Boxes

Should you line a cedar planter box?

While an untreated cedar box will fare just fine without a lining, using a plastic liner or landscaping fabric may help it to last longer. When lining a planter, it's crucial to use non-toxic materials.

How do you protect a wood raised planter?

Should you stain cedar garden boxes?

Semi-transparent penetrating stains can be beneficial to soft woods like cedar and can prevent the planter or raised bed from being damaged by rain or sun. Some stains may have an adverse effect on plants, so either stain the planter when it's empty or protect the plants inside.

Will a cedar planter rot?

Rot resistant, it can last 10-15 years as an attractive raised bed. It is also insect resistant because of oils in the wood - this is why it smells so good. More expensive than fir but worth it if you're putting in a raised bed garden you want to last a long time and continue to look great over many years.

Is it safe to seal raised garden beds?

Beeswax is a safe alternative. It's been used as a non-toxic wood treatment and waterproofing sealant throughout history. And since it's all-natural and even antifungal and antibacterial, it's a great choice to waterproof your raised garden bed. To use beeswax as a waterproof sealant, start with a block of beeswax.

Should you line wooden planters with plastic?

Protecting the wood

To protect the wood, line the planter inside with plastic, such as old plastic compost bags, fixing it with small nails. Make drainage holes before filling it with compost.

What sealer is safe for raised garden beds?

All-Natural Tung Oil Sealant

It is non-toxic, and safe to use on organic garden structures that have contact with food supplies, including raised garden beds, chicken coops, and greenhouses. Tung oil is very durable for a natural oil.

Do I need to line wood planters?

You need to line your planter box if it's made from wood or metal. The liner will help prolong the planter's life. You don't need to use a liner if the planter is made using plastic, ceramic, or concrete as they are quite durable by themselves.

What do you put at the bottom of a planter box?

If you have recycled plastic lying around, such as water or soda bottles, grocery bags, or milk and juice jugs, use them to fill the bottom of your large planter. The plastic is of more use in the base of your large planter than in a landfill.

Should you waterproof wood planter?

Even pressure-treated lumber can warp and become weathered with moisture exposure. Extend the life of your wood planter and preserve its natural beauty by waterproofing to protect it from exposure to elements on the outside and from exposure to moisture in the soil on the inside of the planter.

How do you seal outdoor planters?

For the fullest protection (maintaining the finish) apply two coats of sealer to the inside of the planter and two to the outside. For protection from the lime leaching causing alkaline soil, apply two coats inside the planter and one outside. Or skip the sealing and soak in water for 3 days.

How do you prepare a wooden planter box?

Can cedar be left untreated?

Left untreated, cedar shakes — individual planks of one of several varieties of cedar — will discolor and begin to soften, with a possibility of rot after about five years, depending on the climate. There are several options for covering cedar siding, including stain, a clear treatment or paint.

What do you put in the bottom of a wooden planter?

To improve drainage, place a layer of broken terracotta pots, pebbles or Styrofoam packing peanuts on the bottom of the planter.

Can you line a planter with bin bags?

Bin liners are a good choice to line your hanging baskets if you want to save some money. They do well to hold the potting soil and moisture. You do need to add some drainage holes at the bottom so the excess water can drain out.

Can I use landscape fabric to line a planter?

Line the planter with porous landscape fabric: The landscape fabric will allow water to drain out of the container while preventing wet soil from directly contacting the wood and reducing its lifespan. The fabric also will prevent soil from escaping through any wide gaps in the wood.

How do you keep wooden planters from rotting?

The best way to prevent deck planters from rotting is with a liner. Lining a wood planter prevents water and fungi from contacting the wood. Preventing rotting by separating that which is good for the plants, water and fungi from the wood.

How do you waterproof a planter box?