How Deep Should a Planter Box Be for Vegetables?
Many gardeners are turning to planter boxes for growing their vegetables. A planter box is an inexpensive, easy to use, and moveable growing method. If you are looking to get started growing veggies in a planter box, one of the first questions you’ll have to ask is, “How deep should a planter box be for vegetables?”
How Much Soil Does a Vegetable Planter Need?
Vegetables need a deep and nutrient-rich soil to thrive, but, depending on the root depth of the vegetable, many won’t require more than 10-12 inches of soil. This simple fact makes many smaller planter box sizes suitable for growing vegetables.
What Are the Best Planter Box Sizes for Vegetables?
The ideal planter box size for vegetables will vary.
Shallow-rooted vegetables such as beets, baby carrots, lettuce, and radishes can be planted in planters that are 6-8 inches deep.
Medium-rooted vegetables such as baby kale, swiss chard, cucumbers, eggplants and peppers will need to be planted in planters that are 8-10 inches deep.
Deeper-rooted vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, or other bushy plants require planters that are 10-12 inches deep.
What Are the Benefits of Planter Boxes?
In addition to not taking up much space and being a surprisingly affordable option, planter boxes offer the ease of portability, allowing you to move the box around to capitalise on the best sunlight and grow the most delicious veggies.
Planter boxes also offer amazing drainage. Vegetables can turn into watery mush when grown in a basic garden that does not have enough drainage. But, when planted in a planter box with plenty of holes, the water doesn’t just lie on top of the soil, but drains quickly into the ground.
Tips for Creating a Planter Box for Vegetables
- Choose the right size for your vegetables.
- Use non-toxic materials for constructing your planter box.
- Ensure you have adequate drainage so that your vegetables don’t become waterlogged.
- To create a soil mix that is appropriate for vegetables, combine equal parts compost, peat moss and coarse vermiculite.
- Place a layer of mulch on top of the soil to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
When it comes to creating a planter box for vegetables, the key is to ensure it’s not too shallow or too deep for the vegetables you are growing. With the right soil mix and adequate drainage, you will be able to grow healthy, delicious veggies in planter boxes of any size.
