Window Box Planter - some how to tips.

I love window box planters!  Hmm, that may be a project for next year.  As of today, I'm done with my planting though.  I decided last minute to fill two more planters and to create a few succulent gardens (blog post to follow!!).  But, in the meantime, I thought I would share how my golfing friend, Ingrid, planted her window boxes.

I'll have to take a picture in a month and show you how awesome and full they are.  But if I wait that long, you won't have any use for the planting tips for this year : ).

Talk about planning.  When Ingrid's house was built, they had the builder install the planter boxes on all the main windows in the front.  Smart!

Let's start with how these are planted.

The bottom of the plastic planter container is lined with plastic so that the water doesn't run out and damage the wooden planter boxes.  The planters end up needing to be watered about once a day (twice during those hot days).  Don't do these if you can't commit to the watering!!

About ⅓ of the soil from the previous year is taken out and replaced.  There were some seriously strong recommendations for Miracle Grow with moisture control (I love the stuff too!!)

 

And Ingrid's magic?  She waters her window box plants in with Miracle Grow after they are planted.  And, she also fertilizes almost every week.  There isn't a lot of soil in the containers and the plants need all the help they can get!

Here are is the window box planter right after it is finsished.

Then a couple of weeks later.  We had a really cool spring so things didn't grow fast.  So, I promise, I'll update later this summer with how awesome these are!

Yes, I think I love the idea of a built-in window box under my front windows.  Hmmmm, I'll have a long winter to give it some thought!

As promised, here is the window box planter a little later in the summer!  Didn't it fill in nicely?  I love the bright pink petunia and the spikey green sweet potato vine.  Such a bright and fun contrast in colors!

 

Just an FYI, Ingrid is my friend who gave me the rouladen recipe earlier.  Can you guess what her nationality is?  If you are looking like a different Sunday dinner recipe, this is the one!