The Potting Shed
P.O. Box 3393
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: 630-251-1431
Fax: 630-377-0381
Phyllis@e-pottingshed.com


How are your flower boxes and planters made?

Our flower boxes are handmade from construction grade cedar and custom-sized to fit the location. All joinery is bonded with weather resistant fasteners (screws, not nails) and strong glue. Then they are fitted with heavy-duty molded plastic liners. They come with all the necessary hardware to install them easily and installation instructions are included.

Why do they come with liners?

Firstly, the removable plastic liners extend the life of the wooden boxes. Secondly, they allow the planting to be done in a convenient and comfortable place and then are easily transported to the box itself. Off-site planting is done easily with liners also.

How will my flower box be finished?

Our flower boxes are finished with one coat of latex exterior primer and two coats of finish paint in either black or white. If you wish your boxes or planters to be a different color, we will ship them to you finished with only the primer coat.

You may also order them unfinished and leave them the natural wood, which will weather with the passing of time.

How long will it take to get my flower box?

Since each box is custom-made to your specifications and carefully crafted by hand, it will take about four weeks from the time you place your order until the boxes are shipped to you.

How long will my window box last?

With proper maintenance your flower boxes will last many years. This care includes cleaning them once a year and repainting every couple of years, especially if they get a lot of exposure to the elements.

How do I attach my flower box?

Our flower boxes are intended to be attached directly to their permanent location. This could be under a window, on a deck railing, onto the deck itself or anywhere you choose.

Do you have any tips on planting a flower box or planter?

We strongly recommend using a light-weight, soil-less potting mix in your boxes because regular potting soil is too heavy. We also recommend adding a time-release fertilizer to the soil before planting. Then use a lot of plants placed very close together and tightly planted to give a full, lush and overflowing look immediately.

How do I take care of a container garden?

Container gardening is relatively simple and foolproof. Three simple steps will keep your flowers looking luxurious.

Firstly, the most important thing is to water as often as necessary to prevent the soil from drying out. The drainage holes in the bottom of the liners will ensure that excess water drains easily. In dry, hot climates or in sunny areas it might be necessary to water twice a day. In cool shady spots watering once a week might be enough. The easiest way to determine if your plants need water is to stick your finger in the soil. If it is dry down to the first knuckle, it's time to water.

Secondly, feeding your plants with a weak solution of water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer once a week will keep them at their best.

Thirdly, removing spent blooms (deadheading) will promote more and constant flowering and will keep your plants looking fresh and new.

What do I do if some the plants die?

Container gardens are easy to keep looking at their best. Any dead or straggly plants can be removed easily with a sharp garden tool and a new plant put in the space. This also helps you to get as long a life as possible from each seasonal rotation of plants and flowers.

When is the best time of year to plant in my boxes and containers?

This depends on the number of seasonal rotations you want to enjoy. The spring planters should be planted about the same time that the early spring bulbs are blooming, using plants that like cool weather. Summer planters should be planted after the chance of late frost has passed. This usually means the end of May but could be a few weeks earlier in some locations. Most summer plants will start to look somewhat tired by mid to late September. The autumn showing of sturdier types of plants with a new variety of fall colors will last until it is time for the winter display of evergreens and berry branches. After the long winter has passed the spring planting will start your flower season anew.