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Putting logs at the bottom of a planter #867943

Asked May 10, 2024, 7:41 PM EDT

I have been told that using logs at the bottom of a planter will help with water regulation as well as taking up space so I don’t need to use as much soil. I have two planters that are oversize: 4’ tall, 4’ long, and 1’ wide (approximately), so the logs would not be close to the plants I will grow in them. I have garden plastic protecting the sides of the planters, and the bottom is just the ground. Some of the logs I have have been used as outdoor seats and would have gotten wet whenever it rains for years. If some of the logs have mushrooms growing out of them, will that cause issues, or just be part of the slow composting of the logs?

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.

I would say that yes the logs would help take up room.  The wood is going to rot.  I would remove the mushrooms before covering them.  You could get landscape fabric not plastic and cover the logs.  That would protect the plants from anything growing on the logs.  The fabric allows the water to seep through unlike the plastic.

Good luck.

Deb Kroon Replied May 12, 2024, 7:58 PM EDT

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