# [ ](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=gg_content_type%3AQ%20%26%20A "Q&A's") Do Planter Boxes Need Sealing? ![](/sites/default/files/styles/side_image_xs/public/2017-06/vegetable_garden_is20474439_l.jpg.avif?itok=OvxR6M13) # [ ](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=gg_content_type%3AQ%20%26%20A "Q&A's") Do Planter Boxes Need Sealing? I have three large, macrocarpa planter boxes in which I will hopefully produce fantastic vegetables. My problem is finding the best product to seal the insides of the boxes, having received a lot of conflicting information. Any advice? From your question we will assume that the large planter boxes have wooden bases to them. If this is the case, to reduce the possibility of the wood rotting over a period of time, ensure that there are numerous holes drilled through the base of your planter box to help with drainage. The planter box must be raised above ground level by using old pavers or wooden blocks to ensure water drains away from the base. Renew your planting mix annually to help ensure adequate drainage as old mixes tend to adhere to the base of the planter box which can lead to rotting of the timber. It’s worth noting that macrocarpa is a very durable timber and therefore an excellent choice of material for a planter box. If the planter boxes do not have bases, then there should be no problem of the timber rotting and there is no need to line the sides either. Add in a combination of garden mix and compost to ensure a healthy medium in which to successfully grow your vegetables. Guides [All Gardening Guides](/gardening-guides) Topic[Planter Boxes](/gardening-guides?f%5B0%5D=topic%3A114) ## Products To Try ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2025-10/prem_garden_mix_30l_vis_flat.png.avif?itok=Qz3y_j6Z) ##### Daltons Premium Garden Mix ](/products/daltons-premium-garden-mix) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2021-09/Prof%20Compost%20bag%20vis%2030L.png.avif?itok=mx4PJ2W3) ##### Daltons Nutrient Enriched Compost ](/products/daltons-nutrient-enriched-compost) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2025-10/garden_time_compost_40l_flat_1600x1600px.png.avif?itok=53Lco0HF) ##### Garden Time™ Compost ](/products/garden-timetm-compost) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2025-10/garden_time_vegetable_mix_40l_flat_1600x1600px.png.avif?itok=nVURGWJ3) ##### Garden Time™ Vegetable Mix ](/products/garden-timetm-vegetable-mix) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/product_filter_listing_320/public/2026-09/garden_time_chicken_sheep_pellets_10kg_vis_flat.jpg.avif?itok=RI4wqO8g) ##### Garden Time™ Chicken and Sheep Pellets ](/products/garden-timetm-chicken-and-sheep-pellets) ## More like this ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) ![](/themes/custom/b_three/images/icon-svgs/caret.svg) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2019-05/Planter%20Box%20iS1005381850L%20low%20res.jpg.avif?itok=1tJVNcsZ) ##### Vegetable Planter Box I’m having to shift my vege planter box, have you got any tips for repositioning it, and what I can do to boost the soil please? ](/gardening-guides/vegetable-planter-box "Vegetable Planter Box") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Planter%20Boxes%20iS50009948XXL.jpg.avif?itok=y2LDWymu) ##### Raised Planter Bed Soil I have a large planter box that has no soil, but only bags of mix/mulch. What specific nutrients do I need to add to the mix/mulch to keep it at its best? My vegetables didn't have a good crop this summer. ](/gardening-guides/raised-planter-bed-soil "Raised Planter Bed Soil") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2026-05/chch_5.jpg.avif?itok=8x3ZBDs8) ##### First Vege Patch: Getting Soil Ready and What to Plant I’m new to gardening and wanting to start a veggie patch. How do I get the soil ready and what plants do you recommend for a beginner? ](/first-vege-patch-getting-soil-ready-and-what-to-plant "First Vege Patch: Getting Soil Ready and What to Plant") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2018-10/Raised%20garden%20beds%20iS72674615_XL.jpg.avif?itok=Ji3rfT94) ##### Starting a Vegetable Garden Which type of garden is best for planting veggies/herbs e.g raised or flat garden and how do you layer the soil? ](/gardening-guides/starting-vegetable-garden "Starting a Vegetable Garden") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2018-03/lettuce_in_planter_box_is39554338l.jpg.avif?itok=aQL4gTIG) ##### Planter Box Vegges How often should I water and fertilise my vegetables (tomatoes, lettuce etc) which are in a planter box? Also, what’s the best way to deter the cats from using my planter boxes as their toilet? ](/gardening-guides/planter-box-vegges "Planter Box Vegges ") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/vegetables_is31618726_xxxl_small.jpg.avif?itok=6NYwRKCs) ##### Growing Vegetables I want to grow more vegetables in our garden but each time I do, they end up very small or stop growing. How can I help them grow better? Could my soil be too hard? ](/gardening-guides/growing-vegetables "Growing Vegetables ") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2017-06/flower_bed_raised_is10493520m.jpg.avif?itok=Dn3CYG7J) ##### Dealing with Liquefaction My flower and vegetable gardens are affected by liquefaction brought on through the Christchurch earthquakes. How will this affect growing flowers and vegetables? What can you grow in this soil? ](/gardening-guides/dealing-with-liquefaction "Dealing with Liquefaction") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2017-06/child_gardening_is_14342509s.jpg.avif?itok=wCWgK0jU) ##### Child-Safe Pest Control for Vegetable Gardens At our childcare centre we grow our own vegetables in large garden planter boxes. How can we protect plants from insects without using pesticides? ](/gardening-guides/child-safe-pest-control-vegetable-gardens "Child-Safe Pest Control for Vegetable Gardens") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-04/Garden%20bees_0.jpg.avif?itok=sXX_ucu0) ##### Crafty Kids Gardening Activities Fun activities for kids in the garden using recycled materials. ](/gardening-guides/crafty-kids-gardening-activities "Crafty Kids Gardening Activities") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2024-10/fertiliser_is474405520xxl_glove_sm_0.jpg.avif?itok=fcq9EYXt) ##### When to Apply Fertiliser When do I start fertilising my garden? ](/gardening-guides/when-to-apply-fertiliser "When to Apply Fertiliser ") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2017-06/blueberries_is5174259m.jpg.avif?itok=9At0jbpm) ##### Blueberry plant dropping leaves My blueberry bush has lost most of its leaves. The fruit and flowers are still on the bush! Will this affect the fruit as it ripens? The bush is in a planter box and gets sun. ](/gardening-guides/blueberry-plant-dropping-leaves "Blueberry plant dropping leaves") [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/page_listing_2xl/public/2020-09/Raised%20Vege%20Garden%20Bed%20iS487133442L.jpg.avif?itok=dQ7SQuiJ) ##### Lining Wooden Planter Beds We have made three macrocarpa planter beds. Should we line these beds in heavy black plastic first or just fill the beds up with soil/compost? Any suggestions for our first planting would also be appreciated. ](/gardening-guides/lining-wooden-planter-beds "Lining Wooden Planter Beds")