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just bought an untreated planter

garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 69
in Garden design
which I plan to grow tomatoes and other bits in. which oil do folk recommend for treating -which won't be an issue with possible leeching into the soil? I do plan on lining it, but you never know!
thanks guys

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    What is it made from?   Wood?  Concrete?  Terracotta?
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 69
    hi. it's a wooden planter. apologies for missing out this vital information!
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We line our wooden planters with old compost bags, but make sure to put lots of drainage holes in the bottom.  You could try using a weed suppressing membrane instead, but as these are designed to let water through, your planter may be more likely to rot more quickly in future.  I personally wouldn't use any kind of paint/chemical on a planter in which I plan to grow edibles.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I use boiled linseed oil on my wooden garden bench, gives a hard, slightly glossy finish. Can't imagine why something like that would harm anything planted inside as its basically a natural product.
    You do have to be careful with cloths used in applying it though, as the oil is volatile and they may self combust if not wetted before disposal. However, the bench has never caught fire  :)
  • HutchisonelectricianHutchisonelectrician Posts: 19
    I built a wood planter. I lined it with black polythene sheet and cut holes in the bottom. 
    I then put some old cans, crushed bottles, stones, etc in the bottom on top of the polythene liner. 
    On top of them I cut a section of dust sheet, the cream material ones. 
    On top of the sheet was some builders sand.
    Then finally, 8 bags of compost to fill. 
    What I created at the bottom was excellent drainage and the planter has done really well.
    The wood, although treated, will not be affected as the polythene liner protects it.
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