Spring Conditioning Planter Liners

DeepStream Design’s rugged plastic planter liners make spring conditioning easy.

Perennial plants grown in planter liners have special needs.  With spring here in Miami, I’ve noticed that it’s well past time to repot some of my smaller ornamental plants.  Others plants like Clusia have very aggressive roots and liners need to be removed and roots trimmed every year.

Tools Needed:

You need to remove plants from their planter liners periodically to alleviate their root bound condition. This give you the opportunity to add fresh potting medium. You will also check that the liner is draining efficiently.  DeepStream Designs rugged plastic liner is flared making this a easy with just a few tools: A long serrated knife, perhaps scissors, a tarp, a broom, and dust pan. Cut off the bottom third of the root system, then break up the root ball as much as possible.

Remove the bottom third of the root ball
Container Gardening Root Bound

Drainage:

I’m using rubber mulch this year in my drainage plan for ornamentals, but not in my herb or citrus garden planters. because it is lighter than pebbles or gravel used in traditional drainage plans. This makes it ideal to reduce the load on your balcony or rooftop if you don’t need the weight of gravel to keep your pots from tipping in high winds.

I use rubber mulch to fill the bottom of my pots and liners up to the level above the top of my drain, about 3”-4”, after I put in DeepStream’s drain pads (drain board, Bio-Barrier to prevent root blockage, and geo-fabric sandwich) in place over the drain hole and cover that with 4” of Paver Base (very coarse 2mm sand) or even rubber mulch in a pinch as I did this year.

Planting Medium

Your potting medium will depend on your climate and your plants, as well as the type of drainage and watering system you’re using.  We use drip irrigation and mist sprayers on timers. In Miami where we can get 6″ of rain in 6 hours I use a fast-draining medium to which I add perlite and paver base to further increase drainage rates.  You tailor your soil in dry climates by adding vermiculite to retain moisture .

container gardening repotting supplies
Container gardening requires a few simple repotting supplies. Don’t forget a tarp, broom, and dust pan.

Watering:

I installed micro valves on every planter liner so that I can adjust the rate of watering for each planter liner.  Reduce the flow to the point that water does not seep out the drain except when it rains.

Click on the picture to go to DripWorks website to order all the parts you need to install drip irrigation. It’s a very informative and complete website, cost competitive, and their system are plug and play easy to install.

Automatic Drip Irrigation Manifold with Rain Sensor and 4 active zones.  Click pic to link to DripWorks website for more information.
Automatic Drip Irrigation Manifold with Rain Sensor and 4 active zones.

Repotting large plants:

With the Clusia the the steps are almost identical.

accessing the planter liner for spring conditioning
Lay the planter over on a padded surface and slide the liner out.
Remove roots growing over the sides of the planter liner if the liner won't slide out.
Remove roots growing over the sides of the planter liner if the liner won’t slide out
The planter, planter liner, and planter drainage design all play an important role in planting maintenance and root trimming.
A bulging planter liner indicates it's time for root pruning
A bulging planter liner indicates it’s time for root pruning, it’s roots like these Calusia that have torn apart large pre-columbian temples in Central and South America.

Removed the plant from the liner to trim the the larger roots easily,  The tapered shape of DeepStream liners makes it easy to simply slide the root ball from the liner to trim and replant.

Paver Base or similar mediums slow water flow improving planter drainage
Paver Base, rubber mulch, or similar mediums slow water flow, improving planter drainage by allowing “fines” that can clog the drain to settled below the side drain.

Before repotting add a DeepStream’s 3 part-part planter drain pad with Bio-Barrier over the drain holes to aid in root blocking and to retain the planting medium and slow the flow of the water towards of the drain.

DeepStream Designs advanced 3-layer drain pad created with drain board, filter fabric, and Biobarrier
DeepStream Designs creates an advanced 3-layer drain pad out of drain board, filter fabric, and Biobarrier for you so all you have to do to maximize drainage is to place the pad over the DeepStream linner sidewall drain port and hold in place with the appropriate material to slow the flow of water to the drain.

Hold the drain pad in place over the hole, fabric side against the hole, with paver base or similar coarse medium, never sand, with out any clay in it. You can even use rubber mulch in a pinch.

Planter Liner after root trimmed
Planter Liner after root trimmed

With all the roots trimmed for the year your plant and planter liner shape should be restored for another year.

Selecting tapered planter liners with the drainage features your project requires will save you time, money, and effort. Read more specifics about Selecting-planter-liners and here is a video link showing how quick easy it can be to replant.

Happy gardening! Tom

Lightweight Planters

Lightweight, cost-effective, long garden planters by DeepStream Designs are specified by Landscape Architects to integrate green roof and balcony landscaping into new construction and existing historic projects with strict weight load limits.

Using lightweight planters reduces the weight of structural components allowing for more plants and planting medium.  

The engineered structural integrity of DeepStream’s 3-component commercial planter system is backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty and will last for decades. The marine anodized finish on the proprietary aluminum legs keep them looking great. There is no paint or powder coating to fail.

800 feet of DeepStream Designs lightweight modular multi-section planter system, shown on a roof deck in midtown Manhattan, made with maintenance free recycled plastic lumber
800 feet of DeepStream Designs lightweight modular multi-section planter system, shown on a roof deck in midtown Manhattan, made with maintenance free recycled plastic lumber

More than a planter, DeepStream’s Commercial Planters are a complete 3-part engineered system. Proprietary anodized aluminum legs are engineered to contain the wooden planter box as it expands and contracts through endless wet and dry cycles. The legs support a hidden aluminum frame that allows for hidden drip integration systems and drainage while holding the waterproof liner with advanced drainage options.

Fiberglass planters are easily cracked and painted or powder coated Aluminum Planters finishes soon fail and are easy to dent.

Fiberglass planters are brittle, corners and middle section are the first to go.
Fiberglass planters are brittle, corners and middle section are the first to go. the top flange is what stiffens them and once they crack it leads to catastrophic failure. this is why even the best fiberglass planters only have a 3 year warranty.

DeepStream’s American craftsmen custom build your planters from two types of proprietary aircraft aluminum extrusions which provide structural frames for wood, copper, slate, or recycled plastic lumber that will last for decades.  For more information on maintenance free Recycled Plastic Lumber Planters that save money and resources while making a strong environmental statement.

Cost effective solution to line, or create, parapet wall, assembles easily with unskilled labor and ships with all tools included. Click for details
800 feet of DeepStream Designs lightweight modular multi-section planter system, shown on a roof deck in midtown Manhattan, is made with maintenance free recycled plastic lumber
Marine anodized aluminum legs and aircraft aluminum frame backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty: click for details
Marine anodized aluminum legs and aircraft aluminum frame backed by a Lifetime Structural Warranty assembles in just 15 minutes per section with all tool included.
DeepStream Designs lightweight complete modular multi-section planter system with maintenance free recycled plastic lumber, installs quickly, reduces maintenance labor saving and lasts for decades
DeepStream Commercial Multi-Section planters are perfect for urban roof decks where its expensive to maintain and replace planters standard planters.

A lightweight structural aluminum system for long planters allows for long straight runs of unlimited length while accommodating right-angle corners.

These garden planters with a structural aluminum frame have optional gates, trellises, privacy screen walls, parapet railings, large panels, or any combinations of features.

The aluminum frame of DeepStream's commercial planters makes mounting a  garden gate slip-in easy. Click for details.
DeepStream Designs garden gate mounted on two recycled plastic lumber Mariner planters
By using DeepStream's Commercial Planters to anchored Screen Walls and Enclosures you don't need to penetrate roof membranes, balconies decks, or sidewalks with fasteners: click for more information
Lightweight Mariner Commercial Planter Anchored Screen Walls adds natural colorful privacy to roof decks without requiring problematic roof membrane penetration.

Designed with modern architectural lines, these modular lightweight planters are available in standard 21”, 31” & 42” heights, with economical custom options available.

Engineered to last for decades, DeepStream’s lightweight garden planter systems use separate rugged waterproof plastic liners and filter packs that prevent drain blockage.

16 sizes of rugged waterproof stock planter liners and custom welded liners to any size: click the picture for more information
Lightweight wood planters need liners. Here you see 16 stock sizes of rugged waterproof, food safe, plastic planter liners with advanced drainage Custom welded planter liners are available in any size.
DeepStream Designs advanced 3-layer drain pad created with drain board, filter fabric, and Biobarrier: click for details
DeepStream Designs creates an advanced 3-layer drain pad out of drain board, filter fabric, and Biobarrier for you so all you have to do to maximize drainage is to place the pad over the DeepStream linner sidewall drain port and hold in place with the appropriate material to slow the flow of water to the drain.

The liner-within-a-planter design not only provides a crucial thermal break to prevent root ball stress, but they also facilitate hiding irrigation, modern advanced drainage, and lighting infrastructure.

The tapered design of DeepStream’s stock liners not only provides critical irrigation, they make it easy to replant, or trim root, as part of a spring conditioning that will allow plants to flourish for years.

DeepStream's Large Lightweight Wood Planter System
DeepStream Design’s multi-section lightweight wooden planters reduce roof loading and do not require roof membrane penetrations
DeepStream Designs lightweight planter showing plastic liner detail: click for more details on planter liners
DeepStream Designs lightweight wood multi-section planter and plastic liner detail. Liners contain the soil, provide optimal drainage, hide drip irrigation, electrical, and directed drainage systems.
Click for more details on DeepStream Designs lightweight, cost effective, multi-section planters with plastic liner and Lifetime Structural Warranty
DeepStream’s lightweight multi-Section Modular Planters are an engineered planter system with proprietary marine anodized legs forming a wood planter box that hides an internal structural aluminum frame that supports a waterproof planter liner with advanced drainage and drip irrigation. Lifetime Structural Warranty.
DeepStream's Large Lightweight Wood Planter System: click for more detailed information
DeepStream’s Commercial Wood Planters with a Lifetime Structural Warranty are lightweight self-contained engineered system comprised of a wood planter box, structural aluminum frame, and waterproof planter liner with advanced drainage.

Planters are quickly assembled on site, 10-15 minutes per section, even by inexperienced sub-contractors using just a screwdriver.  Landscape contractors can pre-plant liners to speed installation while reducing labor, cartage, and clean-up.

DeepStream Designs multi-section lightweight planter aluminum frame detail: click for details
DeepStream Designs lightweight multi-section garden planter aluminum frame detail. Proprietary T-Legs allow for cost saving planter runs of unlimited length

The speed and neatness of the DeepStream planter system is especially important for your customers in high rise urban condominiums where approval by condo boards must be obtained before projects can begin.

No cranes and street closing permits are necessary as the modular design and packaging allow these lightweight planters to be brought up elevators or even carried up stairs by day laborers.

DeepStream Designs lightweight planter and plastic liner detail: click for details on planter liners
DeepStream Designs lightweight wood multi-section planter and plastic liner detail

Each project has custom assembly instructions using keyed versions of your drawings and photos of your actual planters taken during test assembly at our manufacturing facility.

Long section of DeepStream Designs lightweight planter with plastic liner and Lifetime structural warranty
DeepStream Designs lightweight wood multi-section planter with plastic liner and Lifetime structural warranty

When placed up against walls non-visible planks can be left off the back to save both weight and expense.

DeepStream's Long Food Safe Plastic Planters are perfect for urban roof decks where its expensive to maintain and replace planters standard planters.
DeepStream’s long food safe plastic Planters are perfect for urban roof decks where it’s expensive to maintain and replace planters standard planters. HDPE is UV resistant, requires no maintenance, and last for decades. The aluminum frame has a Lifetime Structural Warranty.

Your project is custom manufactured to your exact needs, erected, labeled, disassembled, bundled, and crated to allow for cost-effective delivery to even the hardest to reach construction sites.  

With thousands of installations, and planters of every type, DeepStream is ready to be your planter expert.  Call Sheila at (305) 857-0466 for more information and a 32 point checklist to ensure that your project is successfully completed ontime, on budget, and without stress.

 

Planting Mix vs Dirt

DeepStream Designs knows from projects with Landscape Architects across the country how important using the appropriate planting mix is when growing perennials, trees, and bushes.

DeepStream large commercial planters with screen wall and the fight soil mixture grow colorful flowers on this urban roof deck oasis

Replanting these heavy items with complex root systems will be problematic.  Getting it right the first time is well worth the effort.

Often clients use their “Landscaping Contractor” for this work. This may be a good solution if the contractor has extensive experience with container gardening and knows the value of selecting the correct planting mix. Otherwise it could be a mistake.

DeepStream rugged waterproof recycled LLDPE food safe plastic liners with advanced drainage and easy to replant tapered design. Click for info
DeepStream rugged waterproof recycled LLDPE food safe plastic liners with advanced drainage and easy to replant tapered design.

Why?  Many Landscapers are not familiar with using a planting mix as they are usually planting in the earth. By using “dirt” or “soil” it may make the planter too heavy for the load on a roof or balcony.

Dirt, or an improper planter mix, will prevent drainage if it contain clay fines that can block drains, may hold too little or too much moisture. Additionally, dirt might not contain the correct PH and initial nutrients for the plants that you’re going to use.

There is no universally correct planting mix, as area microclimates must be taken into consideration.  Selecting a planter mix requires an intimate local knowledge of the complex relationship between all the competing factors for beneficial plant growth and maintenance.  Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you have a reliable source for your planting mix.

DeepStream's tapered liner with advanced drainage and the components of the 3-part drain pad with Bio-Barrier to prevent root blockage
DeepStream’s tapered liner with advanced drainage and the components of the 3-part drain pad with Bio-Barrier to prevent root blockage

We have posted a blog on the long-term cost benefits of using a Landscape Architect for even small commercial projects but you still need to ensure they have container gardening experience.  Another reliable source may be the nursery where you are sourcing the plants.

Whatever you do, don’t assume that your Landscaper or other source has the knowledge necessary to provide the planting mix.  Before starting, ask about their experience with container gardening and what mix they propose to use.  Vague or generic answers should be your clue that you need to investigate further before proceeding.

Paver Base or similar mediums slow water flow improving planter drainage
Paver Base or similar mediums slow water flow improving planter drainage

By all means, make certain that whoever does the planting follows DeepStream’s instructions regarding planter drainage using drain pads and filter material.  Many “old timers” fall back on gravel and holes in the bottom which will soon clog.

A large installation of Custom Welded Waterproof Planter Liners on a roof top are compartmentalized to isolate drainage problems
A large installation of Custom Welded Waterproof Planter Liners on a roof top are compartmentalized to isolate drainage problems. Drip irrigation lines are inserted through the top of liner walls below soil level. Quick draining planting medium and drain p[ads are essential ingredients to the long term success of this extensive project.

Remember that most of DeepStream’s stock planter liners come with just one threaded drain hole. This is only the minimum, since some installations are inside and require the hole to be plugged or drain pipes attached.   One hole means one point of failure with no backup.

DeepStream will drill additional drain holes required by your installation at no charge.  Tell us where you want additional drains installed, and we will do it before shipping.  You may also add them in the field with a hole saw.  Deepstream can supply screw together flange fitting to add straight or 90 degree hose barbs to new holes you add.

Recycled Plastic Lumber makes a Garden Green

The Ultimate Recycling Statement

DeepStream Designs’ mantra:  “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” is evident in recycled plastic lumber planters and recycling bins created to reduce human impact on the environment.  As I pointed out in a blog on Plastic Lumber Planters  more and more customers are making the switch to recycled plastic lumber reducing environmental impact at the same time as maintenance costs.

Recycled Plastic Lumber is perfect for clients that are working on projects striving to integrate sustainable design into their projects.  Using Recycled Plastic Lumber (RPL) for planters not only reduces tropical rainforest deforestation but it also greatly reduces maintenance for you saving you time, money, and effort.

The color of Recycled Plastic Lumber Planters Vs the color of 3 year old tropical hardwood planter like teak

For 10 years now, DeepStream Designs has been building planters with the same sophisticated design as the  wood Mariner planter using HDPE plastic lumber made from 100% recycled milk jugs and also planters from Phenolic resin and 100% recycled cardboard.  Recycled Plastic Lumber (RPL) combined with our trademark marine aluminum extrusions and aircraft aluminum frameless design is a no-nonsense “set and forget it package” perfect for restaurants, commercial installations, and residential projects where minimal maintenance is as important as aesthetics.

As with all planters, the plants themselves help cool the earth,  cleaning the air by producing oxygen as they convert and trap carbon.  In addition, RPL planters crafted by  DeepStream reduce man’s impact on the environment because:

  • It’s RECYCLED and RECYCLABLE!

– Using recycled plastic lumber or cardboard and phenolic lumber planks eliminates the cutting of trees and uses far less energy to ship and manufacture.

– The plastic lumber DeepStream uses is made from recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene) from milk jugs and other polyethylene packaging that might otherwise be destined for landfills.

– The planter and recycle bin liners are also both made from  LLDPE ( low–density polyethylene).

– Aluminum, the world’s most available and abundant mineral, legs and straps, along with plastic components are 100% recyclable.

  • Maintenance Free!

– Uses no energy, chemicals, or materials to maintain.

– Recycled plastic lumber  never needs to be painted, oiled, or stained and won’t rot, splinter or split an in DeepStream’s marine anodized frame with no paint or powder coating to fail it can be pressure cleaned.

Recycled Plastic Lumber 5 color samples of standard embossed woodgrain Recycled Plastic Lumber
Recycled Plastic Lumber 5 color samples of standard embossed woodgrain Recycled Plastic Lumber
Recycled Plastic Lumber 5 color samples of premium woodgrain Recycled Plastic Lumber plus black and white smooth, planks
Recycled Plastic Lumber 5 color samples of premium wood grain Recycled Plastic Lumber, so real you have to touch it to tell its not wood plus black and white smooth, planks. 50 year warranty, low maintenance and pressure cleanable for sanitation and to remove graffiti.
3 samples of tropical hardwood options Ipe, Jatoba, and Cumaru
3 Tropical Hardwood Options

– Proprietary extruded legs of 6063-T5  aluminum are finished with a durable etched marine anodized finish and HDPE non-scuff feet.

– Stainless steel fasteners are installed with dialectric paste to prevent corrosion.

– Modular design facilitates easy repair should a product be damaged.   Recycle the damaged piece and receive a replacement piece at DeepStream’s manufacturing cost, using their Core Replacement Program.  Don’t throw away that valuable product!

  • RPL Colors won’t fade – Ultra-violet stabilizers used in the lumber ensure colors look as vibrant decades from now as they do today.
  • Cost EffectiveWorking with 100% recycled plastic lumber and cardboard phenolic lumber not only reduces production costs, but it also requires NO MAINTENANCE, reducing the life-cycle-cost of ownership over time compared to wood Garden Planters.

While the 100% recycled plastic lumber specified for DeepStream is still full 3/4″ thick tongue and groove planking with a simulated wood grain, and only a few cents a square foot less than natural hardwood lumber, several aspects of Commercial LEED Garden Planters and Recyclers reduce the manufacturing cost without cutting quality so that DeepStream can pass along the savings to its customers:

  • Planter Boxes and waterproof liners with drainage are stocked in specific sizes to eliminate waste.
  • Planing, sanding, and hand-rubbed finish are eliminated taking hours off of production time and saving energy.

Optional drain attachments with overflow control on the liners allow  planters to be used in any interior or exterior installations.

Planters with liners ship fully assembled, just add dirt, or they can be disassembled for shipping or flat storage in 15 minutes.

DeepStream's 100% recycled cardboard Phenolic lumber
DeepStream’s 100% recycled cardboard Phenolic lumber
RPL Tropical Hardwood Grain
RPL Tropical Hardwood Grain
Ipe Brown 100% RPL on top of natural Ipe
Ipe Brown 100% RPL on top of natural Ipe
RPL Aged Hardwood Grain
RPL Aged Hardwood Grain

“Ipe” Brown RPL planters

DeepStream LEED 100% Recycled Plastic Ipe Brown Planter
DeepStream LEED 100% Recycled Plastic Ipe Brown Planter

“Ipe” Brown RPL planters

DeepStream' LEED 100% recycled plastic and aluminum garden planters
DeepStream’ LEED 100% recycled plastic and aluminum garden planters

Phenolic, cardboard and resin, planks look like leather and thrive in the harshest conditions.

Shown here with aluminum Zephyr banding separating the planks on a 36″ cube Mariner planter and stock liner.

DeepStream planter made with 100% recycled cardboard lumber
DeepStream planter made with 100% recycled cardboard lumber

For more information on Sustainable Garden Planter Design click here.

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