How to plant a window box
You will need:
-
Marine plywood or pressure treated softwood at least 12 mm (1\2in) thick
- Drill
- Water-resistant glue
- Clamp
- Rust-resistant screws
- Wood preservative
- Brackets
- Screws
- Rawlplugs
Time to complete job: 2 hours to make, 1 hour to plant up
Approximate budget: £45
Which type to choose?
A number of ready-made window boxes are available, from simple plastic trays to ornate wood. Choose one that will blend in with your house wall - the more natural-looking the better.
Before buying consider how the box will be fixed. Is the sill wide and strong enough? If not it will need fitting.
Window boxes can be fitted on walls facing any direction but south and west-facing will require more watering. North-facing boxes will need shade tolerant plants.
Tip: If your box is in a very hot position insert polystyrene tiles along the front to keep the inside cool.
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Step 1: Make your own
Measure the width of your window. Window boxes look best if they stretch between the outside edges of the window.
Buy a plastic tray the same length as the width of the window. Try the tray against the window to make sure you have the right size. Cut pieces of wood for the front, back, bottom and ends of the box from 2cm (3/4in) thick exterior plywood. The length of the front and back pieces should be your desired width plus 5cm (2in) - to hold the base of the tray.
Join the ends to the back and mitre the front corner joints. Glue all joints, using water-resistant glue. Reinforce the joints with 4cm (1.5in) deck screws. -
Step 2: Drill holes for drainage
Glue small pieces of wood onto the bottom of the box to ensure good air circulation.
Drill holes in the bottom of the box for drainage.
Treat with wood preservative. -
Step 3: Fixing the box on a sill
It's important to fix a window box securely - a falling window box can cause serious injury. If you have a wide sill, secure the box with angle brackets at the side fixed with rawlplugs. Use brass screws and fix feet underneath for air circulation and free drainage.
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Step 4: Fixing the box under a sill
If your sill isn't wide enough to accommodate a box - or if your window opens outwards - fit the window box under the sill.
Fit spacers on the back of the window box and use long screws to fix the spacers into the wall with rawlplugs. Add supporting brackets underneath screwed into the wall and the box.
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