A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 window boxes

Okay, here I go again with questions. Anyone with window boxes? I'm getting my hubby to build me some this winter. I'm thinking cedar, but I've heard that pressure treated wood may last longer. Any input?

sherri, i would use the cedar, just because of the chemicals used in some of the treated wood. so if you use treated, make sure that it isn't treated with poisonous chemicals (like arsenic which is used a lot down here).

Sherri, I would suggest cedar or redwood. As Jiffy said, a lot of pressure treated wood is poisonous, especially the kind that is green tinted. I can't remember what it is called right now but you can actually see the green in the wood. HGTV's gardening guy, Paul James, talks about it on his show all the time.

Y'know now that you mention it I do seem to recall something about arsenic int he pressure treated wood. So cedar or redwood, not sure of the availability of redwood around here, have to look furthur into it. Um, longivity? Any ideas? Will I have to worry about rotting anytime soon?

Not with cedar or redwood. That's what most spa coverings, patio furniture, decks, etc. are made from. You will still want to put a coat of a weather sealant on it but it should last you years (Thompson's weather seal works well and is easy to use). Cedar is probably the least expensive option, redwood tends to be pricey (at least around here).

I was also worried about the life span of my window boxes, so had them built so that I could paint them, and then slip a plastic window box inside of them...turned out really well!

If you'd like, I can go into more detail later tonight, and get you some pics, as well...

Barleychown,
Oh, details please!!! And pictures too?! Yay! You're awesome. I'm getting all excited for spring with all the plans I'm making, so input is definetly a wonderful thing!

That DOES sound like a good idea!!!!
Do share!!
I'll be nudging my husband on that one!!!

Weezie

Okay, the whole story is...we had a 'storage shed' built by a carpenter, and he used a left over house window on it, so as a joke I said 'gee, that would be SOOO cute with a flower box...' and he found it funny and showed up the next morning with this window box set-up.

I'll be sure to take pics tomorrow and share them with everyone!

Okay, here's the link for the pics...



http://hometown.aol.com/barleychown/index.html

Those are really really nice, Barley!!!

What kinds of plants do you put in them? Do you have any pictures from last summer with plants in them?

When we were first married, my husband made me some windowboxes out of cedar that we put on the wood railing of the deck of our rented townhouse. They were terrific! Now that you guys are talking about these, I really miss them. They lasted about 15 years... until we moved into our house. Now we have the cheapy white plastic ones...
HMMMMMMmmmmm - might be time for a change?

Barleychown,
Those are REALLY nice!! I got my hubby to take a peek and he was impressed and said once he gets a bit of the basement framed, he'd get on it!!!! Thanks! Do you have pictures of them filled in the summer? I'll bet they are beautiful. I was reading about a creeping rose plant that looked really nice, or maybe a herb garden.....oh, the possibilities!!! What do you fill yours with? Weezie and Lynne, you guys are so funny!! I found some pretty good(free) plans at woodworkersWorkshop.com, Lowe's had a plan posted there too, I think I like that one the best. Thanks again barleychown! You wouldn't happen to still have the plans from yours would you? Just curious.

pretty cool boxes there barley... like your house!