Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - May 01, 2008
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Container Gardens, Planting
Title: Sides for raised gardens
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I am wanting to put in raised gardens. What is the best product for the sides? Wood? If so, what kind? Thank youANSWER:
Construction work is a little out of our line, but since we know a lot of gardeners, particularly in Central Texas where there's not much dirt in the ground, are moving towards raised beds for drainage, enrichment, etc. We are going to recommend some websites that will answer your questions a whole lot better than we can.
First, this eartheasy site Raised Garden Beds has detailed construction specifications, materials recommendations, etc. In particular, note the paragraph about treated wood. Treated lumber has several types of preservatives, among them different types of arsenates. There is growing concern about the dangers of arsenic leaching into the ground or rubbing off on people's hands from the treated wood. Rather than treated lumber, if you wish to use wood, try red cedar, black locust or redwood. Recycled composite plastic lumber is another alternative.
Another website, Texas A&M Horticulture Extension on Building a Raised Bed Garden, addresses some other materials you might want to try, like brick or stone. And, most of the home improvement and garden stores carry modular molded cement blocks that can be stacked mortarless in varying shapes and sizes. You will have to make the decision on which product works best for you, based on cost, labor, and how much area you want to have in raised beds.
More Container Gardens Questions
Native plants for containers on patio in Houston
January 30, 2010 - What native plants in Texas (I live in Houston) will do well in pots on my patio- they get about 1/2 day sunlight. Is there anything shrub-like that will live from year to year?
Thank you
view the full question and answer
Planting time, either by acorn or container grown tree, of Shumard red oak
April 12, 2006 - Hello, I have a question on when is the best time
to plant shumard red oak. I live in Zone 7.
thank you
view the full question and answer
Flowering plant for container on lanai in South Florida
December 15, 2011 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I would like to purchase a flowering plant for my ailing mother for Christmas. It has to be able to grow in shade so I can place it on her table on her lanai for her to be a...
view the full question and answer
Container plants for cool weather in Cypress TX
October 02, 2011 - I am a novice gardener and I am looking for some ideas on potted plants for the fall/winter. They would be covered by a roof, but still susceptible to the elements. What can be planted now that will...
view the full question and answer
Container plant to grow in late afternoon sun
July 02, 2011 - I have a shaded brick walkway that leads to my front door. It faces west, and can get very hot late afternoon Houston sun, although it is shaded for the remainder of the day. I have been successful ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |