Raised planters a garden device of many advantages

Press, 26 February 1980, Page 12

Raised planters a garden device of many advantages

LANDSCAPING, AT HOME

Gilbert Brakey

By

Raised planters are a landscape structure which should be used more often then they are, as they can help solve many problems found in smaller public areas and in residential gardens. ... Most people would be familiar with the raised planters used in the city — for example, ; at ’Hallensteins corner.. In this case they provide alcoves where people can gather and sit. ■

'.'.he raised planters also control the direction and flow of .pedestrian movement in the area., The plants which they, contain are protected from damage, at least from trampling feet.

The same points can also apply in the home garden, where raised planters control where we walk, provide a place to sit, or prevent 'damage to plants themselves, particularly when near children’s play areas. ■ These are not- the only

reasons for using a raised planter. Often there ’. are situations where soil drainage is poor or the water-table extremely high throughout the winter months.

It may be that the soil itself is of poor quality, possibly very shallow or heavy. These are situations which could w.ell

justify the use of a raised planter. The planter should be filled with a good quality soil mixture containing rotted sawdust and manure to ensure that, plants have an ideal growing. medium. Drainage is absolutely essential as is a free draining mixture. ' The height of a raised planter can- be anywhere between 100mm' to 1 metre. It may be free standing and of . any length.; . Often a planter can be used to divide garden space or used as a handy place to sit down. For the older person they save a lot of backache as there is no need to bend so far when weeding, etc. In fact, it is easy in manv instances to be able to sit while you work. The planter can be built ,ftom a number of materials namely, concrete, concrete block or other units, brick, timber, metal, stone or. natural rock, ThB

choice will depend on the particular location and what best' fits the over-all design. For example, if a raised planter is to be used alongside a brick building it would be preferable to use brick which matches, When constructing a planter it should be remembered that the wall acts as a retaining wall and in order to avoid unsightly cracking or bulging, ensure that the wall is well supported. This- may entail the use of . timber posts at close centres — about 600 mm — or the use of suitable and adequate reinforcing steel in masonry walls. There must, of course, be suitably .designed concrete foundations. Any raised planter must be wide enough to accommodate planting without ’ overcrowding and needs to be deep enough to encourage adequate rootgrowth. If the planter is built alongside the house provide a dividing Wall coated with an impervious seal to prevent any moisture seeping into the building. Water should be drained away; avoid the blocking, of any air vents. At times raised planters are used around mature trees, when it may be found necessary to lower the surrounding ground levels. Remember not to raise or lower the soil level around the' tree trunk.as trees are highly sensitive tn any change of soil level. _