Alright, let’s gab about them porch planter boxes, ya know, the things that make your front porch look all fancy-like. I ain’t no expert, but I’ve seen enough to know what looks good and what don’t.
First off, What’s a Porch Planter Box Anyway?
Well, it’s a box, duh! But it ain’t just any box. It’s a box you put dirt and plants in, and then you stick it on your porch. Makes things look lively, you know? Less like a bare ol’ porch and more like somethin’ outta a magazine, I reckon. You can use all sorts of stuff to make one. Wood, plastic, heck, even an old washtub if you’re feelin’ crafty.
- Wood boxes: Sturdy, look real nice, but can rot if you don’t treat ’em right.
- Plastic boxes: Cheap and easy, but they can look kinda tacky if you ain’t careful.
- Metal boxes: Tough as nails, but they can get hot in the sun and fry your plants.
Gettin’ Your Porch Planter Box Ready
So you got your box, now what? Well, you gotta fill it with dirt, obviously. But not just any dirt. You need good dirt, the kind that plants like. Go to the store and ask for potting mix, that’s the good stuff. Don’t just dig up dirt from your backyard, it ain’t the same, trust me.
Before you dump in the dirt, make sure there are holes in the bottom of the box. Plants need to drain, see? If the water just sits there, the roots will rot and your plants will die. And nobody wants that, right?
Pickin’ Out Plants for Your Porch Planter Box
Now comes the fun part, pickin’ out the plants! This is where you can really let your personality shine, you know? You can go with all sorts of stuff. Flowers, green leafy things, even little trees if you got a big enough box. Just make sure you pick plants that like the amount of sun your porch gets. If it’s shady all day, don’t get sun-lovin’ flowers, they’ll just shrivel up and die. And if it’s sunny all day, don’t get shade plants, they’ll burn up.
Here’s a few ideas, just to get you started:
- For sunny porches: Petunias, geraniums, marigolds – them bright and cheery ones. They like a lot of sun and will make your porch look real purdy.
- For shady porches: Ferns, hostas, impatiens – them leafy ones. They don’t need much sun, and they’ll make your porch look cool and shady.
- For somethin’ in between: Begonias, coleus, caladiums – them colorful ones. They can handle some sun, but they don’t need it all day long.
And don’t forget, you can mix and match! Put some tall plants in the back, some medium-sized plants in the middle, and some trailing plants in the front. That way, everything looks nice and full. And don’t be afraid to experiment! Try different plants, different colors, different arrangements. It’s your porch, do what makes you happy.
Keepin’ Your Porch Planter Box Lookin’ Good
Alright, so you got your box all planted up and it looks great. But you ain’t done yet! You gotta take care of them plants if you want them to stay alive. That means waterin’ them regular, fertilizin’ them every now and then, and deadheadin’ the flowers when they start to fade.
Waterin’ is easy enough. Just stick your finger in the dirt. If it feels dry, water it. If it feels wet, don’t water it. Simple as that. And don’t overwater! That’s just as bad as underwatering. As for fertilizin’, just follow the instructions on the package. Don’t use too much, or you’ll burn your plants. And deadheadin’ is just pluckin’ off the dead flowers. It encourages the plant to make more flowers, so you’ll have pretty blooms all season long.
Makin’ it Cozy with Winter Planters
Now, when winter rolls around, you might think you gotta put away them planter boxes. But you don’t have to! You can make winter planters too! They add a bit of cheer when everything else is all gray and dreary.
You can use evergreen branches, pine cones, berries, and even some fake sparkly stuff to make it look festive. Just stick ‘em in the dirt, arrange ‘em all nice, and there you go! A winter wonderland right on your porch.
You can get real creative here, folks. Add some fairy lights for a little extra sparkle. Or some colorful ornaments. Or even some little birdhouses. Whatever makes you happy.
Other Things to Consider
Hanging Baskets: If you don’t have a lot of room on your porch, you can always hang some baskets. They look nice and they don’t take up much space. You can fill them with the same kinds of plants you would put in a planter box, just make sure they’re not too heavy.
Water Features: If you wanna get real fancy, you could add a little water feature to your porch. Like a fountain or a birdbath. The sound of water is real soothin’, you know? And the birds will appreciate it too.
Fake Plants: If you ain’t got a green thumb, don’t worry. You can always use fake plants. They look just as good, and you don’t have to water them. Just dust ‘em off every now and again, and they’ll look just fine.
So there you have it. Everything you need to know about porch planter boxes. Go on now, get yourself a box, some dirt, and some plants, and make your porch the prettiest one on the block!