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How to level ground for planter box?

DarkBaron

Hi All,

I would like to install a planted box in the little strip next to the fence where the pebbles are (see pic).

Could someone please assist me in what I need to do to? Do i need to dig a trench? If so how deep? and how do i need to make it flat so i can put in a planter box? Any recommendations?

Thanks

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Accepted answers

JacobZ

Hi @DarkBaron,

Thank you for your question.

Were you looking to build a planter box like those shown in https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/garden/planting-and-growing/how-to-build-a-raised-garden-bed-with-sleepers ? Or simply install a premade planter box along the lines of this https://www.bunnings.com.au/birdies-370mm-monument-monolith-6-small-sizes-in-1-raised-garden-bed_p0817133 ?

Assuming that the area already drains relatively well, there’s not a whole lot of prep work required, especially if you’re using a freestanding planter box.

You can simply remove enough of the decorative stones so the planter box can sit down into the area without rocking. The main goal is just to get it sitting reasonably flat and stable, so take a bit of time to level out the base by hand. You don’t usually need to dig a proper trench unless the ground is very uneven.

If the soil underneath is loose or uneven, you can scrape it level and lightly compact it or even add a small amount of sand to help get a flatter base. It doesn’t need to be perfect, just stable enough that the planter won’t move once it’s filled.

Once the box is in place, you can go ahead and fill it with a high-quality soil mix suited to what you’re planting. This https://www.bunnings.com.au/scotts-osmocote-25l-garden-soil-premium-planting-mix_p3010198 is a quality mix that would be a good option for most plants.

If you want to keep things tidy underneath, you could also lay down some weed mat before placing the planter, but that’s optional.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

All comments

JacobZ

Hi @DarkBaron,

Thank you for your question.

Assuming that the area already drains relatively well, there’s not a whole lot of prep work required, especially if you’re using a freestanding planter box.

If you want to keep things tidy underneath, you could also lay down some weed mat before placing the planter, but that’s optional.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

DarkBaron

Hi @JacobZ,

Appreciate the quick response. To keep things simple I am looking to install a pre made planter box 395 cm x 30 cm. Height can be anything. Pardon my ignorance, if i was to require sand what type of sand would i need and how do I go about copmpacting it? Will I also need to put a weed mat inside the planter?

Thanks

JacobZ

Hi @DarkBaron,

Unfortunately, I've been unable to find a premade planter that is perfect for that space. About the closest I could find would be using two of these https://www.bunnings.com.au/the-organic-garden-co-200-x-50-x-41cm-surfmist-raised-garden-bed_p0817961 and trimming the panels down to narrow and shorten the garden beds slightly for the space. It wouldn't be too difficult to cut them yourself using some aviation snips. Once the panels have been cut down, the garden beds would slot together in the same way shown in the instructions.

For levelling, I'd suggest using a paving sand as it is often used for levelling similar to this. For compacting, the tool you would use is a tamper, but realistically, you don't really need to achieve a high compaction rate, so simply stepping on the sand a few times to pack it down would work just fine.

You don't have to put weed mat inside the planter if you don't want to, but it will certainly help prevent weeds that are dormant in the soil beneath the stones from growing up through the soil in your planter box. Ultimately, it would be worthwhile and is something worth considering if you do not want to periodically pull out weeds.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

DarkBaron

Hi @JacobZ ,

If I was to use a bit of paving sand which one do I need to use? If it is compacted will it be washed away over time? Will the compacted s area need to be in a border?

Thanks

JacobZ

Hi @DarkBaron,

It's difficult for me to point you to a specific option because we have different suppliers in different areas. Realistically, any sand will work fine, it is just there to level the ground if it is needed. Ultimately, if you can get the planter box sitting level with what is already there, you don't really need to add sand, it is just an option if you are struggling to get the planter sitting level.

As long as you don't have water flowing across the ground, you wouldn't need a border, and it shouldn't wash away as long as it is compacted.

I'd try to keep it as simple as possible. Clear away the stones that would sit directly under the outside of the planter. Do your best to get it level using the existing soil. If you can't, add a bit of sand and lightly compact it then sit your planter box on top and level it. Once you start work, it won't be as difficult as you think.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

DarkBaron

@JacobZ Thanks for the help and recommendations. I will post pics of the completed project when done.

DarkBaron

Here is a pic of my progress so far. I have 1 more planter to fill 😀

MitchellMc

Wow, that is looking absolutely amazing @DarkBaron! You've done a fantastic job, and it's great to see everything coming together so well. The planters look fantastic already, and I can only imagine how impressive it will be once that last one is filled.

Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and share an update with us. We always love seeing progress photos, and it's especially rewarding to see a project turning out so beautifully. I can't wait to see the finished result!

Mitchell