Window Box Drainage Setup to Prevent Root Rot and Spills
Window Box Drainage Setup to Prevent Root Rot and Spills The single most common reason a beautiful window box turns into a soggy graveyard by midsummer is poor drainage. Most homeowners notice the symptoms long before they identify the cause: yellowing leaves, blackened stems at the soil line, a sour smell when the box is watered, and ugly mineral streaks running down the siding below. The plants did not fail. The drainage failed. According to University of Illinois Extension container gardening research, more than 70 percent of container plant losses can be traced to root suffocation from poor drainage rather than disease, pests, or sun exposure. That is a stunning number, and it means the fix is mechanical, not horticultural. This guide walks through every layer of a properly drained window box, from the holes you should drill in the bottom to the outflow channel you can install behind it. Whether you are starting with a brand-new cedar planter, a pre-cast concrete box, or ...
