Raised garden planters have become pretty popular in households all across Australia, mostly due to the various advantages they offer including the amazing opportunity to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and plants in urban environments. Available in various models, the preferable choice is the HDPE planter.
That is because HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is a remarkably durable plastic, often recycled from milk containers, which is used not only for planters but also for outdoor fixtures such as park benches, picnic tables, municipal waste bins, boardwalks and similar applications where durability and long-lasting features are extremely important. And considering the fact that some Hdpe planter models come with a self watering system with built-in water reservoir, makes these planters super convenient, especially in urban applications.
Pros of HDPE Planter
- Long-lasting – Manufacturers often suggest a minimum life expectancy of 50 years.
- Durability – HDPE planter holds up great to use. It is resistant to chipping or cracking, even in harsh weather.
- Stability – Because this material is pretty stable, it does not leach any toxic, chemicals into the soil withing the planter. Plus, the ‘boards’ do not twist, warp or shrink over time and do not contract or expand during periods of extreme heat.
- Smooth finish – The appearance of HDPE planters remains consistent even after years of exposure to weather.
- Washable – These planters can be cleaned easily by washing the surface with a wet sponge.
- Recyclable – If the time to dispose of your planter come (after decades of use), the material is still 100% recyclable. Moreover, this type of plastic is so valuable that recycling depots may even pay some money for this material.
All in all, modular, self-watering Hdpe planters make growing herbs, vegetables and flowers easy. Their robust construction makes them ideal gardening solution for both outdoor and indoor use. The self-watering system ensures your herbs, plants and flowers thrive as they receive the water as they need thanks to the capillary wicking action. However, these low maintenance Hdpe planters do have few disadvantages. For example, the recycled HDPE plastic can be very heavy, so to move your planter around you may need to ask for the help of another person. But once you get to assemble your planter and fill it with soil the weight becomes no more a problem.
Also, they do not feature as much linear strength as wood; HDPE planters require some form of support to prevent them from bowing outwards. Because HDPE is considered the highest quality of recycled plastics, it costs manufacturers to produce them, and this cost is reflected in the price. However, since they do not need to be replaced as often (they usually last up to 50 years), it is easy to calculate the long-term savings.
