A three-tier wooden planter that lets you grow flowers, herbs and vegetables at once, making good use of a small patio, balcony or garden corner.
The three tiers sit at 20 cm, 48 cm and 76 cm from the ground, which means you can work at a comfortable height without bending to the lowest level more than necessary. Each planting area measures 56 cm long by 23 cm wide, giving roots reasonable room to establish; the weight limit of 20 kg per tier is worth bearing in mind when you fill them, as a generous depth of compost adds up quickly. Two drainage holes in the base of each tier carry excess water away, which matters more than most people expect; waterlogged compost is the most common reason herbs and salad crops fail in container growing.
The fir wood frame carries a water-based paint coating in green, which helps it stand up to outdoor conditions. Assembly is required, and it is worth taking the time to fit everything squarely at that stage; a frame that goes together slightly out of true will work loose sooner than one that does not.
Three-tier raised planter in fir wood with water-based paint coating
Overall dimensions: 65 L x 75 W x 76 H cm
Planting area per tier: 56 L x 23 W x 17 H cm
Tier openings at 20 cm, 48 cm and 76 cm from the ground
Weight capacity: 20 kg per tier
Two drainage holes per tier
Suitable for garden, patio, balcony and some indoor spaces; assembly required
Plant the lower tiers with trailing herbs or compact lettuces and keep the upper tier for anything that benefits from the best of the light. A layer of crocks over the drainage holes before you add compost will keep them clear through the season and save you the trouble of unplanting everything to sort it out later.
