Custom Cedar Planters That Actually Last More Than Two Seasons
Stop replacing rotted, warped planters every few years. Our premium cedar planters are built with kiln-dried Western red cedar and proper drainage to handle Connecticut’s harsh winters and humid summers.
30+
Years of Experience
You Know the Frustration of Planters That Fall Apart
You bought those cedar planters last spring, excited about growing your own vegetables or creating beautiful flower displays. Fast forward eighteen months, and you’re looking at warped boards, rotting corners, and soil spilling through gaps that weren’t there before. Sound familiar?
Most homeowners in Connecticut and New York go through this cycle repeatedly. They buy planters that promise durability, only to watch them deteriorate under our region’s challenging climate. The problem isn’t just the money you’ve wasted. It’s the disappointment of dead plants, the mess of collapsed soil, and starting over again.
At My Fence Guy, we’ve seen too many frustrated gardeners dealing with failed planters. That’s exactly why we decided to offer cedar planters built the right way. We’re not just fence contractors who happen to sell planters on the side. We understand what it takes to build outdoor structures that survive Connecticut winters and thrive through humid summers.
Why Most Cedar Planters Fail in Our Climate
Connecticut and New York present unique challenges for outdoor wood structures. Our freeze-thaw cycles are brutal on inferior materials. When water gets into untreated wood during our wet springs, then freezes and expands during winter, it literally tears the wood apart from the inside.
Most store-bought planters use construction-grade cedar that hasn’t been properly kiln-dried. This wood still contains excess moisture that causes warping and cracking as it dries out naturally in your yard. The joints aren’t reinforced for the weight of wet soil, so they separate over time.
Then there’s the drainage problem. Cheap planters either have no drainage holes or poorly placed ones that don’t prevent water from pooling at the bottom. In our clay-heavy soils and areas with poor drainage, this creates a soggy mess that kills roots and accelerates wood rot.
We’ve also noticed that many planters lack proper liners to protect the wood from constant soil contact. Without this barrier, even naturally rot-resistant cedar breaks down much faster than it should. The tannins in untreated wood can also leach into your soil, potentially affecting plant growth.
Our Approach to Building Cedar Planters That Last
When we build cedar planters, we start with kiln-dried Western red cedar sourced specifically for its superior rot resistance and stability. This isn’t the same cedar you’ll find at big box stores. We’re talking about premium lumber that’s been properly processed to remove excess moisture and prevent warping.
Every planter gets reinforced corner joints using galvanized hardware designed to handle the weight and stress of wet soil. We’ve learned from years of fence installation that joints are always the first failure point, so we over-engineer them from the start.
Drainage is built in correctly from day one. We install properly sized and positioned drainage holes, and we can add gravel bases or drainage layers depending on your specific site conditions. If you’re dealing with heavy clay soil or areas that tend to stay wet, we’ll design the drainage system accordingly.
Our planters come with food-safe liners that protect the wood while still allowing proper drainage. These liners extend the life of your planter significantly while ensuring your vegetables and herbs aren’t affected by wood tannins or treatment chemicals.
Custom Sizing for Your Space and Needs
One size definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to planters. Maybe you need something specific to fit along your fence line, or you want raised beds at the perfect height so you don’t have to bend over while gardening. We build planters to your exact specifications.
Our most popular sizes range from compact 2×2 foot square planters perfect for patios and small spaces, up to large 4×12 foot raised beds ideal for serious vegetable gardening. We can build them anywhere from 12 inches high for low-growing plants up to 36 inches for deeper root systems or easier access.
If you’re working with a sloped yard, we can create tiered planter systems that work with your landscape instead of fighting it. For deck installations, we’ll include proper support legs to distribute weight and prevent damage to your decking.
We’ve also designed modular systems that allow you to expand your garden over time. Start with one or two planters this year, then add more next season without having mismatched sizes or styles.
Professional Installation Makes the Difference
You might be thinking you can just order a planter kit online and put it together yourself. We get it. But after seeing countless DIY disasters over the years, we know that proper installation is what separates planters that last from those that don’t.
Site preparation is critical and often overlooked. We level the ground properly, address drainage issues before they become problems, and position planters to complement your existing landscape and structures. If you’re adding planters near existing fencing, we coordinate everything to create a cohesive look.
Our installation includes proper soil preparation guidance. Not all soil is suitable for raised bed gardening, and using the wrong mix can lead to drainage problems, poor plant growth, or accelerated planter deterioration. We’ll help you understand what soil blend works best for your intended plants and local conditions.
We also provide maintenance guidance so you know how to keep your planters looking and performing their best. Simple steps like seasonal inspections and occasional treatment can extend the life of your planters significantly.
Perfect Complement to Your Fencing Project
If you’re already considering new fencing for your property, adding cedar planters creates a complete outdoor living solution. We can coordinate the staining and finishing so everything matches perfectly, creating a professional, designed look rather than a collection of random yard elements.
Many of our clients love how planters soften the look of new fencing while adding functional garden space. A row of planters along a fence line creates natural borders and can provide privacy screening with the right plants. It’s an efficient use of space that adds value to your property.
We can also design planters that work with specific fence styles. For example, ornamental fencing looks great with matching cedar planters that echo the fence’s clean lines. Privacy fencing pairs well with larger planters that create garden rooms within your yard.
Most importantly, we stand behind our work. Your aluminum fence comes with manufacturer warranties on materials and our guarantee on installation quality. We’re not going anywhere, so if you need service down the road, we’ll be there.
Materials That Handle Connecticut Weather
We only use Western red cedar that’s been specifically kiln-dried for outdoor construction. This cedar contains natural oils that resist rot, decay, and insect damage without requiring chemical treatments. That’s important if you’re growing food crops or want to avoid synthetic chemicals in your garden.
The hardware we use is all galvanized or stainless steel to prevent rust and corrosion. Cheap planters often use standard steel screws and brackets that rust out within a few seasons. Our hardware is selected to last as long as the wood itself.
When we apply finishes, we use products specifically designed for food-safe garden applications. These finishes protect the wood from UV damage and moisture while maintaining the natural beauty of cedar. We can match stains to your existing fence or home exterior for a coordinated look.
All our cedar planters come with warranties that cover both materials and workmanship. We stand behind our construction because we know the quality of materials and installation techniques we use.
Sizing Guide for Different Garden Goals
Choosing the right size planter depends on what you want to grow and how much space you have. For herb gardens and smaller vegetables like lettuce and peppers, our 2×4-foot planters with 12-inch depth work perfectly. These are also great if you’re just getting started with raised bed gardening.
For serious vegetable gardening, our 4×8-foot planters with 18 to 24-inch depth give you room for larger plants like tomatoes, squash, and root vegetables. These sizes also provide good soil volume for water retention and root development.
If mobility is a concern, we can build smaller planters at counter height (30-36 inches) so you can garden comfortably without bending. These work especially well for seniors or anyone with back problems.
For flower displays and ornamental plants, we often recommend our tiered designs that create visual interest while maximizing growing space. These work particularly well along fence lines or as focal points in your landscape design.
Why Choose My Fence Guy for Your Cedar Planters
We’ve been building outdoor structures in Connecticut and New York since 2022, and we’ve learned what works in our specific climate. Unlike general contractors or garden centers, we specialize in outdoor construction that needs to handle freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, and humid summers.
As licensed and insured professionals, we handle all aspects of your project properly. That means proper permits when needed, site preparation done right, and construction that meets local building codes. You won’t have to worry about compliance issues down the road.
Our clients consistently tell us they appreciate our direct communication style. We show up when we say we will, explain exactly what we’re doing and why, and clean up completely when we’re finished. No surprises, no runarounds, just professional service from start to finish.
We’re available 24 hours a day, every day, because we know that questions and concerns don’t always happen during business hours. Whether you need clarification on maintenance, have questions about plant selection, or need service after installation, we’re here to help.
Complete Garden Solutions
Cedar planters are just one part of creating the outdoor space you want. We also install all types of fencing, from privacy and decorative to pool and pet fencing. We can design comprehensive solutions that include planters, fencing, and railings that all work together.
Many clients start with fencing and add planters later, or begin with planters and expand to include fencing for privacy or security. Either way, we can plan the entire project to ensure everything coordinates perfectly and fits your budget and timeline.
We’ve found that properties with well-designed outdoor spaces, including quality planters and fencing, consistently appraise higher than those with generic or deteriorating outdoor structures. It’s an investment that pays off both in enjoyment and property value.
Our goal is to create outdoor spaces that enhance your daily life. Whether that means a productive vegetable garden, beautiful flower displays, or simply a more organized and attractive yard, we have the experience and materials to make it happen.
Maintenance and Long-Term Care
One of the biggest advantages of properly built cedar planters is how little maintenance they require. The natural oils in Western red cedar provide protection against rot and insects, so you won’t need regular chemical treatments.
We recommend an annual inspection each spring to check for any loose hardware or minor damage from winter weather. Tightening a few screws or touching up a finish is much easier and cheaper than replacing entire planters.
If you choose to apply finish treatments, we’ll show you exactly what products to use and how to apply them. Most of our planters look great with just occasional cleaning and basic maintenance. The cedar will weather to a natural gray color if left untreated, or you can maintain the original color with periodic staining.
We also provide guidance on soil management, proper watering techniques, and seasonal care that helps both your plants and your planters perform their best over the long term.
Ready to stop replacing failed planters every few seasons?
Call My Fence Guy at (203) 746-1100 for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your garden goals, assess your site conditions, and design cedar planters that will serve you well for decades. Available 24/7 throughout Connecticut and New York.