What can I use to build up the bottom of my flower boxes?
Question:I have built in flower boxes on my deck that are very deep (17"). I'm going to place annuals in these boxes, so only need maybe 6" of soil. What can I use to build up the bottom of the boxes that won't rot out? I'd like to use something that will last a few years. I want to build up the bottoms and then put down a liner and then soil.
THANKS!
Answers:
I use styrofoam in my flowerboxes. Solid pieces or "packing peanuts" work equally well. The flowerboxes don't weigh as much, water flows easily around the pieces, and, as we all know, styrofoam takes millions of years to degrade so it certainly won't rot!
Stones
cinder blocks then put steping blocks on top of the cinder blocks then liner and soil
Styrofoam packing peanuts
I would use some pea gravel or some sort of rock. I have used it myself for filler for very deep flower beds that were built up, plus it give good drainage. Make sure to drill some drainage holes in the bottom of your flower boxes too. Then before putting in the rock, lay some newspapers or landscaping fabric on the very bottom so the soil does not drain out.
blocks or bricks, then keep your annuals in separate pots and just fill in loosely around them with mulch.
styrofoam would be a good choice. Lightweight and good drainage :)
If your talking about actually putting something in the flower boxes you could use those Styrofoam peanuts used in packaging. They don't weigh much and won't rot.
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