DIY -Raised Veg Planter

Legacy_user

Morning all,

As a Xmas present I am thinking of building my father a raised Veg planter similar to the 'VegTrug' but thought i'd first get your opinion on the V shaped design. After a quick read it seems the V shape is for shallow rooting veg around the edges and deep rooting veg in the middle, but it also seems that this means the edges will dry out a lot quicker than the middle so i'm now wondering shall i just make one with a flat bottom with drainage to give a more even drainage and also more possibilities of what he can plant?

There seems to be a lot of gaps between the boards on the veg trug, do most veg require a lot of drainage? or shall i simply have drainage on the bottom to stop the roots sitting in a pool of water?

unrecordings

I'd go for a flat bottom design, the V profile seems to be more a case of form over function. If I were building one I wouldn't leave gaps, and I'd also probably line it to help retain moisture over the summer months (with holes of course avoid waterlogging the roots). Something like on old bit of tarp/pondliner/even rubble sacks - which will also help protect the wood a little

alanobrien

The shallow/deep rooting thing is a nice idea but i suspect the reality is more to do with the design being cheaper to make in a V shape. The volume is less than it would be for a traditional shape and so the weight of the soil would be less hence the wood support structure would not need to be as robust as for a traditional (trough type) design. Overall result = lower cost design to produce.

I have considered producing one of these and will probably do so in spring using cheap deck boards. per above plastic lined to protect the wood. Thats the easy bit, the support base to bring it to waist height is the more interesting bit.

Given a, 1 x 0.5 x 0.3 metre deep trough filled with soil will weigh approx 0.24 tonnes a support structure (or table) needs to be somewhat sturdy !

A cover is also important hereabouts due to squirrels digging in pots. That can be made fairly simply using blue plastic water pipe (per an allotment) directly into the trough covered with fine netting and fleece for protection if necessary. Should be an interesting project.

Apodemus

If your father is in a wheelchair, the V shape may make it easier for him to get closer without having to be twisted round to work on the bed. Even if he isn’t, and you choose a flat design, it might be easier for him if you can design a slight indent at the base to let him stand closer, with his toes under the edge (in a similar way to most kitchen units).

d0nkeyk0ng

I've seen lots of planters being built in youtube woodworking videos so I'd copy the design from one of them. If you Google vegtrug and then click on images, you can see variations on the design - with netting, or with a cold frame, adaptations others have made, etc.



The main thing would be drainage - you don't want the soil becoming waterlogged in wet weather, nor dry in summer. Personally, I'd also make it flat bottomed so it doesn't limit what can be grown.

System

Great thank you for your thoughts. I need to consider the weight of the soil and extra for it someone leans on it while planting. It will need some careful planning but at least i now don't have to worry about trying to support a 'V' shape

unrecordings

My material of choice would be old scaffolding board. Depending on circumstances you could make something stepped, make supporting boxes, add a seat (or two). It's very strong and dead cheap