Wooden Crate Herb Container Garden
Growing herbs in wooden crates makes for a fun and creative gardening project. These versatile planters allow you to easily customize the size and shape to fit your space. We'll share how to prepare and plant herb gardens in wooden crates , as well as decoration ideas to build a beautiful rustic display.
Planters made from crates provide an affordable and eco-friendly way to grow herbs and vegetables. The porous nature of wood enables excellent drainage and airflow to plant roots. Boxes and containers crafted from recycled crates also give gardens a modern, industrial vibe.
Preparing Wooden Crates for Planting
Start by gathering enough wooden crates for your design idea. Standard-sized shipping crates approximately 18" x 12" work well, but you can mix and match. Look for ones with thicker, sturdy wooden slats at least 1 inch wide.
Consider how you want to arrange the boxes - in a tower, mounted to a wall or fence, or stacked decoratively on a porch . This will determine if sections need to be secured together with wood glue and screws or placed atop a wooden frame base .
Creating Drainage and Lining Crates
It's vital to prevent soil, moisture, and potential chemicals from spilling out or the wood rotting prematurely. But maintaining good drainage inside is also key for healthy herbs . Here are some lining options:
- Drill drainage holes through the bottom slats
- Add plastic or landscape liner inside to keep soil contained
- Use thick burlap sacks, an old pond liner, or a durable trash bag with drainage slits
Painting or Staining Crates
Depending on your design, you may wish to paint or stain the crates . This adds extra protection from weather damage and gives a more polished, decorative look.
- Sand down any rough patches or splinters first
- Use exterior-grade primer before painting or staining
- Choose weather-resistant wood paint and sealant
- Consider a bright, fun color for an eclectic patio look!
Designing Creative Wooden Crate Gardens
From modern vertical designs to cute culinary planters , wooden crates offer almost unlimited gardening and decor options. Here are some top ideas for putting those boxes to use!
Building Vertical Tower Gardens
Go vertical by securely stacking multiple wooden crates atop each other to form towers. Affix crates together with exterior wood glue and screws. Build each level to at least 14 inches deep and place larger herbs like basil or rosemary on the bottom.
Hanging Wall Planters
Mount wooden crates flat against a sunny wall or fence for an eye-catching display. Use weather-resistant screws or heavy-duty brackets. Include at least three attachment points across the back for stability.
Movable Herb or Culinary Crates
Smaller wooden boxes and crates filled with herbs or greens make perfect culinary or serving planters . Choose lightweight options mounted on casters for convenience. Nail an old wine crate vertically to a small platform for a quick herb garden.
Planting Herbs in Wooden Crates
When it comes time to plant, tailor soil, spacing, and plant choices to your wooden crate container's depth and sun exposure.
Choosing the Best Herbs for Containers
While most culinary herbs will thrive in wooden crate gardens, smaller leafy varieties tend to do best:
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Chives
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Sage
- Rosemary
For larger wooden planter boxes , also consider dill, basil, lemon verbena, lemongrass, and mint.
Preparing Soil for Planting
Good soil is vital! For containers , a commercial potting mix amended with compost or worm castings ensures proper drainage and nutrients.
- Fill crates to about 2 inches below the top
- Break up root balls gently before placing herbs
- Space most herbs 8-12 inches apart
Take care not to overplant - thin young sprouts later as needed. Place trellised herbs like mint or thyme along the crate's back edge and trim to keep tidy.
Caring for Herb Gardens in Wooden Crates
Water and fertilize herbs in your DIY wooden crate planters regularly so they flourish beautifully. Here are some organic care tips:
Watering Herbs in Crates Properly
- Check soil daily, water when top 1-2 inches become dry
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent mildew on leaves
- Reduce watering for semi-dormant herbs in winter
Feeding Herbs Organically
- Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during growing season
- Top dress containers with worm castings or compost monthly
- Slow release organic granular fertilizer also works well
Prune back wayward growth to keep herbs healthy and encourage new shoots. Cull poor performers right away. Check regularly under leaves for pests like aphids or signs of diseases.
Maintaining Wooden Crates Long Term
With proper care, a wooden crate herb garden should last at least 5 years outdoors. Here are some maintenance tips:
- Touch up paint/sealant as needed after winter
- Replace broken or warped slats promptly
- Check lining for deterioration yearly
- Add fresh potting mix and compost each spring
Consider bringing delicate herbs indoors under grow lights over winter. This protects them from extreme cold while allowing you to harvest year-round!
Overcoming Common Wooden Crate Garden Issues
If problems crop up with your DIY wooden crate planter , don't worry. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Repairing Rotted or Warped Slats
- Remove damaged wood pieces right away
- Allow inside to dry completely before replacing
- Use weatherproof wood glue and galvanized screws
- Add extra sealant around repaired joints
Improving Drainage
- Rule out overly wet soil or excessive watering first
- Add more holes along crate's bottom edges if needed
- Layer small gravel underneath soil to reduce sitting moisture
Controlling Pests and Diseases
- Rule out other issues like poor drainage first
- Remove affected plant parts promptly
- Use organic neem oil or insecticidal soap for infestations
- Improve air circulation between plants
Creative Wooden Crate Gardening Ideas
Thinking beyond culinary herbs, wooden crates have so many gardening uses! Here are a few more ways to put them to work:
Kid-Friendly Crate Garden Projects
Make an easy DIY crate planter for kids to grow their own snacks! Radishes, carrots, spinach, strawberries, or bush beans all do well.
Vertical Veggie Wall with Crates
Use stacked wooden shipping crates to build a vertical wall for gardening vegetables and greens in tight spaces.
Succulent Display Crates
Show off your succulent collection outdoors by planting hardy varieties like hen and chicks, echeveria, or sedum inside pretty stained crates .
As you can see, wooden crates make fantastic containers for DIY herb and garden projects. They are endlessly customizable while providing proper drainage and protection for plant roots. We hope these tips inspire you to use recycled boxes , crates , and pallets to create your own unique planters this season!