Do you want to know How to Plant a Window Flower Box? You’re in the right place. Your neighbors have a spectacular window box full of blossoming plants.
The effect is so beautiful that you want to try a planter at your own house. You have the perfect window picked out for the decor choice too.
However, haphazardly filling the box with random plants will leave it looking unattractive.
There are specific steps to window box planting that you can follow to end up with a professional-looking garden.
Get started today as spring is slowly approaching.
How to Plant a Window Flower Box?
Select a Container
Your container choice is an important one because it needs to support your garden for years at a time. Plastic and wood boxes tend to break down very quickly. Look for boxes made from PVC.
They’re simply better than standard plastic and wood because they don’t warp under normal weathering conditions.
PVC doesn’t rot or react to water at all. This fact is especially critical for gardens that must be watered on a regular basis.
Choose a PVC container that has enough depth for soil and strong roots, such as eight or nine inches. Most window boxes have these dimensions so that plants can thrive for many years in a confined area.
Remember the Brackets
Most planters come with brackets that are designed for their particular brand. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestion on bracket placement.
With soil, water, and plants added to the container, it will be considerably heavy. Before you add it to the home’s exterior, locate the connection points where the brackets will be safe.
Structural beams, masonry, and other areas are perfect locations. Use the preferred brackets and strong screws to keep the window box safely attached to the home.
Paint the Planter Now
Once you fill and attach the box to the home, it’s difficult to reach if you want to paint it. PVC window boxes come as bright white products, but you can paint them to match your home.
Take some time to paint the boxes if desired.
Allow the paint to dry before you start working with it. PVC works with the most common paints so that the color remains true for many years.
You can also update the box with another color if you change your exterior decor in the future.
Understand Drainage and Reservoirs
Your chosen planter should have some form of drainage. Moisture normally seeps out of holes at the bottom of the planter.
Window boxes require the same drainage as other gardening containers.
Simply look at the planter’s base to see any holes. You can also look into reservoirs for your window box.
Within the planter are optional reservoirs that continuously feed the plants with water.
If you’re often away from home, this watering strategy is effective so that the soil doesn’t dry out between watering sessions.
Fill the Planter With Soil
Select potting soil that has ample drainage. Clay and similar soils will hold too much moisture, which leads to root rot and plant decline.
Ideally, you want the soil to hold moisture for a short period while it drains at a steady rate. You nourish the roots without creating soggy conditions.
Fill the planter to its halfway point without patting the soil down. Sprinkle a little bit of water onto the soil to see how much it settles into the planter.
Add more soil so that the halfway mark is achieved again.
Add Tall Plants to the Planter’s Rear
The design of your window planter matters because each plant should be easily seen from the sidewalk. Begin your gardening with tall plants lining the planter’s backside or rear.
Allow several inches of space between each plant so they can spread out their roots. Your choice of tall plants can vary widely.
Pick dramatic green foliage or plants that blossom with bright colors. The planter’s appearance is strictly your creation.
Drape Hanging Plants Across the Front Side
Although you adore the planter’s appearance, these boxes were designed to have some plants hanging over the side. Select trailing plants that offer a unique look outside your window.
These tendrils might have blossoms, leaves, or even small fruits. Be diligent about trimming these plants, however. They can grow out of hand if you don’t care for the garden on a regular basis.
Maintain the same spacing for the trailing plants as the species added to the planter’s rear area.
Accent the Middle With Annuals
The center point of your planter is a visual highlight. From pansies to daffodils, these brightly colored plants are annuals that have a few months of life.
Be creative with the flowers that you add to this area. They can be swapped out every season so you have a change in color and style.
Changing the center plants also allows you to add some fertilizer to the soil as necessary.
Your window box thrives through any season with this care strategy.
Final Word
Once you complete one window box, you’ll be tempted to try other ones. Don’t add planters under every window because the installation will look too overwhelming.
Consider planters as accents on a select few of your windows. Every visitor will be astounded at the planters’ impacts as they walk up to your front door.