Hi,

I've just bought some wooden "trough" planters to go in the garden
(not very DIY, but sometimes life is too short) - see http://shortlinks.co.uk/j45
They're made of some sort of softwood which has been stained. They
have a short leg at each corner, the bottom of which will obviously be
in constant contact with the paving. This will presumably be the first
bit to eventually rot. So what's the best way to prolong their lives?
I was thinking of just putting a few generous coats of clear varnish
over the bottom of the legs. Any better ideas?

Cheers!

Martin

On 15 Mar, 14:51, Martin Pentreath
wrote:

I've just bought some wooden "trough" planters to go in the garden
(not very DIY, but sometimes life is too short) - see http://shortlinks.co.uk/j45
They're made of some sort of softwood which has been stained. They
have a short leg at each corner, the bottom of which will obviously be
in constant contact with the paving. This will presumably be the first
bit to eventually rot. So what's the best way to prolong their lives?
I was thinking of just putting a few generous coats of clear varnish
over the bottom of the legs. Any better ideas?

OK, two-point plan: some preliminary research suggets candle wax
melted into the end grain might be the stuff to use, and it's occurred
to me that if I also put a couple of tacks or similar into the bottom
of each leg the troughs would stand slightly off the ground and not be
so prone to soaking up water (aka the blakey principle). What do the
panel think?

Martin Pentreath wrote:

I've just bought some wooden "trough" planters to go in the garden
(not very DIY, but sometimes life is too short) - see http://shortlinks.co.uk/j45
They're made of some sort of softwood which has been stained. They
have a short leg at each corner, the bottom of which will obviously be
in constant contact with the paving. This will presumably be the first
bit to eventually rot. So what's the best way to prolong their lives?
I was thinking of just putting a few generous coats of clear varnish
over the bottom of the legs. Any better ideas?

Stand the feet in saucers (as deep as possible), and fill with wood
preservative; keep topping up until it stops soaking the stuff up. And
treat the whole planters with the same preserver too (obviously make
sure it's plant-friendly).

David

Martin Pentreath wrote:
On 15 Mar, 14:51, Martin Pentreath
wrote:

I've just bought some wooden "trough" planters to go in the garden
(not very DIY, but sometimes life is too short) - see
http://shortlinks.co.uk/j45 They're made of some sort of softwood
which has been stained. They
have a short leg at each corner, the bottom of which will obviously
be
in constant contact with the paving. This will presumably be the
first
bit to eventually rot. So what's the best way to prolong their lives?
I was thinking of just putting a few generous coats of clear varnish
over the bottom of the legs. Any better ideas?

OK, two-point plan: some preliminary research suggets candle wax
melted into the end grain might be the stuff to use, and it's occurred
to me that if I also put a couple of tacks or similar into the bottom
of each leg the troughs would stand slightly off the ground and not be
so prone to soaking up water (aka the blakey principle). What do the
panel think?

A screw in each leg to keep them about 6mm off the ground would help. You
can buy an 'end grain preserver' in B&Q - I use it on cut ends when decking.



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

Martin Pentreath wrote:
On 15 Mar, 14:51, Martin Pentreath
wrote:

I've just bought some wooden "trough" planters to go in the garden
(not very DIY, but sometimes life is too short) - see http://shortlinks.co.uk/j45
They're made of some sort of softwood which has been stained. They
have a short leg at each corner, the bottom of which will obviously be
in constant contact with the paving. This will presumably be the first
bit to eventually rot. So what's the best way to prolong their lives?
I was thinking of just putting a few generous coats of clear varnish
over the bottom of the legs. Any better ideas?

OK, two-point plan: some preliminary research suggets candle wax
melted into the end grain might be the stuff to use, and it's occurred
to me that if I also put a couple of tacks or similar into the bottom
of each leg the troughs would stand slightly off the ground and not be
so prone to soaking up water (aka the blakey principle). What do the
panel think?

In theory candle wax should be the perfect waterproofer. Nothing is more
hydrophobic, and in warm weather it softens and re-positions itself to
accommodate any movement in the wood. I suppose the downside is, like
all total seals, that it doesn't allow moisture to get out either.

Martin Pentreath wrote:
OK, two-point plan: some preliminary research suggets candle wax
melted into the end grain might be the stuff to use, and it's occurred
to me that if I also put a couple of tacks or similar into the bottom
of each leg the troughs would stand slightly off the ground and not be
so prone to soaking up water (aka the blakey principle). What do the
panel think?
Soak it in cuprinol for a few days. Just a jam jar lid, with the leg
standing in it - you don't want to kill the plants.

Andy

The Medway Handyman wrote:
Martin Pentreath wrote:
On 15 Mar, 14:51, Martin Pentreath
wrote:

I've just bought some wooden "trough" planters to go in the garden
(not very DIY, but sometimes life is too short) - see
http://shortlinks.co.uk/j45 They're made of some sort of softwood
which has been stained. They
have a short leg at each corner, the bottom of which will obviously
be
in constant contact with the paving. This will presumably be the
first
bit to eventually rot. So what's the best way to prolong their
lives? I was thinking of just putting a few generous coats of clear
varnish over the bottom of the legs. Any better ideas?

OK, two-point plan: some preliminary research suggets candle wax
melted into the end grain might be the stuff to use, and it's
occurred to me that if I also put a couple of tacks or similar into
the bottom of each leg the troughs would stand slightly off the
ground and not be so prone to soaking up water (aka the blakey
principle). What do the panel think?

A screw in each leg to keep them about 6mm off the ground would help.
You can buy an 'end grain preserver' in B&Q - I use it on cut ends
when decking.

used engine oil is apparently very good for deep soaking