Window boxes can really spruce up the look of a home. They can take something that’s boring and drab to exciting and colorful!
We live in an older home in an older neighborhood. Our Home was built in 1976 and is somewhat drab brown colors. We’re slowly planning to update and brighten as our budget allows. I’ve always loved window boxes and decided to try adding them to our house. What a difference it made! I ran a drip line to it so I don’t ever have to hand water, which is wonderful. The only thing you really have to be cautious of is if the drip line leaks or breaks and start spraying the house or through the window. so I always make sure to point the lines away from the house just in case. But even then I’m willing to take the risk. My house faces north so I can only plant full shade plants in them which does limit my choices quite a bit. My go-to favorite plants are impatiens, spike, and sweet potato vine. Here are some things to consider when installing and maintaining window boxes.
Planting
Planting in the spring shouldn’t be an issue if your garden or your window boxes on the first level ground level. But if your window boxes are in the second story like mine it can be a little bit harder. I have my husband get a ladder out in the springs I can plant or I take out the screens in my windows and open them and plant reaching out from my living room. That works great! Then I really don’t have to do much the rest of the season maybe weed here and there . I have an automatic watering system a drip system hooked up to my sprinklers so I don’t have to water them at all I wonder when I plant just to make sure all the soil is saturated but then the drip takes care of it from there.
Style
Consider the style and colors of your home. You’ll want the container to compliment whatever elements are already there. If you’re home has white trim you may want to go with white window boxes. If your home has modern or metal elements then you could find some modern metal window boxes.
Soil
Definitely look to use lightweight soil. A good potting mix where peat moss is the main ingredient will do the trick (don’t use a compost or garden mix as it is much heavier). Make sure the window boxes are correctly fastened to your building. They can get quite heavy with the soil water and plants in them and the last thing you want it for one to fall.
Watering
As a word of caution know that if the watering system fails it could cause damage or water could get into your window cause damage to sheetrock and flooring. I installed a drip line to mine so I never have to water it but I made sure to point them away from the house just in case they failed it would hopefully spray away from the house (of course there is no guarantee).
Weeding
My window boxes are on the second story above the garage so weeding becomes a challenge. I have to take out a screen to get to them to weed through the window or I can put up a ladder. Either way weeding is not the easiest, and I have not found any great ways to get around it. Luckily though at least with my window boxes I usually have only had to weed them once or twice a season.
Plant Types
What exposure will your window boxes be on. Will they be on a south-facing wall? South-facing wall will most likely be hot and full sun (unless there is some sort of overhang). Will the boxes be on the north side of a building? The north side will be full shade so you would need to choose plants that will thrive in full shade. When I plant I like to plant a hanging vine and then a regular 8-12 inch annual flower and then something tall like a spike. For the texture.
