Large planters

Trying to pluck up the courage to make some large rectangular planters. I want to make them fill a 2m section along the back of the garden which sits on a patio. does anyone know if planters this size are likely to bow. Also if they are sitting onto slabs would the drainage be a problem. i was thinkingof planting lavender.
Anyone tried anything like this before?
Lotty

 

Hi there - if you sitting planters on paving/patio, you will need to raise them, to allow water to drain - or have holes in the corners for the same.

What are you thinking of making the planters with?

 

Here is an unusual planter that we did. It is made from EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) coated in cement render.

This post isn't intended to be self promotion it's just to show how different types of materials can be used rather than sleepers, stone or planks.

[ 16. April 2007, 11:59 PM: Message edited by: Foamcutter ]

 

Ooh I like that idea!! Could I make simple planters in a similar way myself Foamcutter?? Or is it a specialist job??

 

that is a nice planter, foamcutter. It is the kind of thing that you would find at the reception of a nice sunny hotel in Sorrento or down there somewhere...

 

Apologies for the cross post

Windy

This shape was cut in a number of pieces on a CNC machine, although a simpler shape could be made and glued together as a DIY project.

mira

Give me a shout when that job comes up however this planter is in not so sunny Ireland. ( although on the day of the photo it wasn't too bad ....... you can see the rain clouds in the distance though )

[ 17. April 2007, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Foamcutter ]

 

Oh!! I was thinking more of shuttering and that squirty stuff from B&Q :D

 

Wow what a planter! nice to be sooooo crative, (envy)
MEF750

 

Good use of materials Foamcutter I certainly wouldn't fancy trying to carve that out of stone :D

 

Thanks for all the ideas.
Fran I want very simple wooden planters. I as going to make them out of tannelized boards and post. But thanks for telling me about raising them on legs.
Do you know if I should line them with a water permeable membrane? Thought it might help with drought in summer.I suppose then there is the risk they will drown in winter!!

 

I have wooden planters - I use old bin liners to line the base - but ensure that there are big holes in it to help drainage in wet weather. Helps in the summer though.

 

Very impressive Foamcutter maybe you should take a patent out on that.I think its STUNNING.

 

You could also use sheets of polystyrene in the bottom and cut holes in it. Polystyrene wont rot or decay when in contact with water, it may reduce the amount of fill required inside a planter.

Thanks for the comment Scotkat. It's not something we can patent, but we can create unusual designs which makes them original.

 

I have just made a large planter for my Phoenix out of pallets coated 4 times with preservative and lined with polythene, will post a photo soon.