How to Make a Simple Window Box may be easier than you think.
I like how window boxes can give a home a new and seasonal look.
How to Make a Simple Window Box
This is for anyone thinking about placing a window box in front of their window(s).
Not only do window boxes look nice under your windows, they also make looking out of the window look nicer!
Did you see my article How to Build a Small Space Herb Garden?
I am asking because a window box may be the perfect place for a small herb garden.
Imagine simply opening your window to cut a few herbs to use in the moment..
There are many different kinds of window boxes to choose from. You can find a variety of window boxes here.
What exactly is a window box?
Most of us could define a window box a a box that sits outside of a window.
You have probably seen a few or had a window boxes before.
Window boxes are often placed below or in front of a window.
If a window box is attached to the window, it is often attached to the window sill itself.
Otherwise, the box can be placed on a ledge, placed on top of a stand. or hanging off of the window in some way.
What can you put in a window box besides flowers?
Yes, flowers are commonly planted in window boxes.
This is because flowers are pretty and colorful which can make the window box even nicer.
However, you do not have to put flowers or just flowers in your window box.
Here are some ideas on what to put into a window box.
- Herbs such as mint or oregano.
- Plants that are not herbs or flowers such as small bushes or ornamental grass.
- Non plants which can include pretty rocks, seashells, or a Fairy Garden.
What to keep in mind when planning your window box.
How your window box will attach or be displayed is possibly the most important thing to consider.
Some window boxes require brackets that may call for drilling into brick (we needed a special drill bit to do this).
Here is what else you may want to keep in mind when planning out your window box.
- Window box style.
- What the box will be made of.
- How to install the box.
- Choosing a window box that fits best.
- How to plant the plants in a box
- Maintaining the flower box.
Window box style.
The style of the planter box may call for a bit research.
This is because not every planter box is suitable for the home, plants, and your taste.
What to consider when it comes to the style of planter box.
- The style of the window as the flower container should complement the window rather than distract from it.
- Home design should also play a factor. Not every home design can go with every style of window box. This is especially true when your home is designed from a specific period (Victorian, Mid-Century etc).
- Style can also refer to detailing, composition, and colors.
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What the box will be made of.
Certainly, plastic window boxes are usually the most economical and easiest to find.
They also are a durable choice for a box to plant in.
There are other choices for window boxes.
- Wooden window boxes are nice because they can be painted and personalized.
- Iron or Metal Window boxes offer a nice European or romantic look.
- Terracotta or clay window boxes which offer a bit of an artsy feel to your home.
How to install the box is something else you may want to research.
I mentioned above that we had to purchase a special drill bit in order to attach the bracket for my window boxes. This is something that we had to research as we wanted to install the window boxes correctly.
More ideas for attaching a planter box.
- Vinyl siding hooks may work for you. Do your research first however.
- Mounting Brackets are what we used once we drilled those holes.
- Simply use a ledge, a stand, or similar item hold your box.
- If you have a window that opens out, the box may have to go below the sill itself.
Choosing a planter.
You have decided on the style, material, and how you will attach your window box.
Now you can find the box that fits your needs.
What to take into consideration what choosing a box.
- Before you head out to the store or online to look at boxes for your window, do a quick measurement of the window. Measure the width of the window and decide if you want the planter to be close to the width or centered with the window.
- I have window boxes that come with a reservoir for excess water. This allows for rain water to escape the soil yet, still be around for self watering. Note that these can get heavy if there is no drain hole included.
- Yes, choose a planter box with a drain hole to relieve the excess water that can kill your plants or weight down the brackets holding your planter in place.
- I do not find the height of the box to be as big of a deal as the width of the box as the plants can make up for that. However, the depth (front to back) should be large enough to hold plenty of soil for your plants.
How to plant the plants in a box.
Yay! You have found your window box and figured out how you will display or attach the box.
Now you can get to work planting in the plants in the box.
How to select plants for your window box.
- Start by selecting plants that have similar needs when it comes to sunlight and water.
- Consider the colors of flowers that will be planted in the same box.
- Decide if you will have all one level of fully grown plants. This option may work best if you have bushes in front of the windows.
- Multi layer window boxes when there is something tall in small amounts, something at a level just above the rim of the window box (the bulk of the plantings usually), and something that cascades or hangs down.
How to plant in a window box.
- Some people like to put a layer of bark or sticks on the bottom to help with the drainage.
- Fill the box about halfway with potting soil
- Do a dry run of where the plants will go. Taller plants should go in the back of the box while cascading plants should go in front. Remember that the plants will grow and spread so leave space between the plants.
- When you have decided where everything will go, you can cover the roots with additional soil and then add some mulch on top of that.
Maintaining a flower box.
Once your flower box has been planted it is time to sit back and enjoy it.
Maintaining the box while simple, should be done as needed.
Here is how to maintain the window box.
- Water the plants as needed.
- Drain any excess water as needed.
- Prune or relocate plants when things get overgrown or plants die.
How to Make a Simple Window Box, an easy guide for planning, designing, and planting a new window box for your home.
