BASIC ORGANIC GARDENING

Planter box construction and Accessible design

Why Planter boxes

Improve soil more quickly Helps block or eliminate pests Easier gardening without walking on soil Soil warms faster for earlier planting Easier work with less bending and kneeling Can be made more accessible

Planter box design

Size and depth Narrow enough to reach across

30” maximum, 60” if access from 2 sides Length is determined by materials available

6’ to 10’ Depth 6” to 24”

Ground or elevated Ground level boxes

are simpler Elevated boxes require

extremely strong bottoms

Planter box materials

What material to use? Unpainted, natural wood, stone or

concrete block Durable enough to resist rot Strong enough resist bending or collapse

What type woods are best? Western red cedar ? Redwood Cyprus or northern White cedar Best wood in KY is Eastern Red Cedar

What not to use… Pressure treated, painted or Railroad ties

Box corners

Simple butt jointed boards

Corner posts

Mortise & tendon

Box corners

Lap timbers

Better Corner Construction

Reinforced lap corners

Reinforced lap corner box

Less wood needed Top rail prevents spreading at top Stakes prevent spreading at bottom

Accessible design

We will all need it someday! Primary considerations are: Level, no more that ½” slope in 10 feet Ramp slope no more than 1:12 Height and reach,

18” minimum height from ground 24” clearance under for wheel chair 36” height maximum

Sturdy construction to hold soil

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