20 Stunning Flower Box Ideas to Try in Your Garden (2024)

FAQs

What should I put in my planter box? ›

The choices are endless but some of the best choices for container & planter boxes are space saving fruits, veggies, and flowers. If you're blessed with a backyard bathed in sunshine, you'll have a variety of plants to choose from.

To make full use of your planter boxes' potential, change up the color scheme and floral arrangements. Introducing uniquely shaped planters to the mix adds a bit of texture to your design. If you have smaller decorative planters, you can plant mint, basil, thyme, or other herbs in them on windowsills or side tables.

Gravel or rocks: You can also create a drainage layer at the bottom of the planter by adding a layer of gravel or rocks. This will allow water to drain out of the soil and prevent it from pooling at the bottom of the planter, which can cause rotting.

Sand. Sand is one of the main properties of any type of soil. The grains do not retain or hold onto water, so they are perfect for use in the bottom of indoor planters to aid in drainage. Sand often used by professional growers and is usually mixed in within greenhouse and nursery growing mixes.

Generally, using three or four plants in 10 to 12-inch planters, four to six plants in 14 to 16-inch planters and six to eight plants in 16 to 20-inch planters will fill out containers nicely while allowing room for the plants to grow without excessive crowding.

Most flower gardens are tiered, with the tallest plants in the back and the shortest ones up front. Also, try this out: plant annuals in the front so they're easier to remove and replace each new growing season. Variety is your friend! Mix annuals with perennials and greenery with color.

Spray paint, leftover patterned tiles, recycled T-shirts, and thrifted teacups are all inexpensive items you can use to craft your own special planters. Several of these project ideas are quick and simple, which means you can pretty-up your outdoor space in the span of a single afternoon.

Tomatoes, peppers, okra, and eggplant are great options for container gardens. These vegetables will grow all summer, providing great side dish options for dinner. Avoid the temptation to plant too many plants in the same container. For large fruiting crops like those above, one plant per pot is generally the max.

Line the Inside

You then need to line the planter with a plastic sheet. Staple the plastic to the planter's sides and poke a few holes into the bottom to let the water drain. The liner shouldn't go over the rim of the box but should be close to the top to line it properly.

What do you put on the bottom of a raised planter box? ›

Try the Hugelkultur Method

This can include compost, or woody material such as logs, dry wood, branches, and leaves. Organic material is the best option, as it improves drainage as well as enriches the soil as it breaks down, and does not need to be removed from your raised beds later on.

You can use packing peanuts as long as they're not the type that dissolves in water. Styrofoam peanuts do an excellent job. Make sure they're secured within a bag to keep them stable and in place. It also makes your life easier if you decide to repot the plant.

Add a layer of gravel, broken pots, or large stones to the planter's base for drainage. Then fill it with soil or compost suitable for the type of plants or vegetables you want to grow. Now it's ready for planting!