All three choices have pros and cons such as cost and maintenance. Of all these options, planters take the least maintenance if done right. Planters are great for managing weeds. Because you add the soil, you can select dirt that is weed-free from the start. And because they aren’t actually in the ground, weeds have a tough time taking hold. They do cost more than other methods, but they also have the greatest ability to look really super fantastic.
The biggest drawback to planters is that you have to remember to water them, especially during the hot, dry months of the year. When I visit homes, I see lots and lots of beautiful planters full of dead plants. The soil is cracked like a dried up riverbed and the plants show all the obvious signs of death by dehydration. Why are they dead? Someone forgot to water them. Don’t get me wrong! I understand why someone would forget. I misplace my phone all the time, so watering a planter can completely slip my mind. And when you have a job, kids and other responsibilities, being busy can get the best of you…so plants die.
But there is a solution, and it’s crazy sustainable!
The solution is EASY planters, and the secret is that the water is located exactly where the roots need it most…below the surface. We waste so much water in how we water our yards and gardens. Landscape irrigation accounts for nearly one-third of all residential water use every day. That translates into 9 billion gallons of water a day – that’s more than 13,000 Olympic-size swimming pools of water. Scary in the face of mega-droughts like California is experiencing.
Above ground sprinklers lose upwards of 75% of water from evaporation, and train the roots of your grass to stay close to the surface of the earth. Shallow roots are more prone to crashing during hot periods and thereby require excessive watering. Drip irrigation is better than above ground sprinklers, but for planters the absolute best option is EASY.
EASY works by storing water inside the planters in perforated pipes that wick the water toward the roots. The roots then have direct access to the water in the soil while none of the water is lost to evaporation. The really cool thing is that this makes the plants really, really happy! I mean, like, really happy! They show that happiness by being incredibly lush and growing like crazy. EASY uses 95% less water than other alternatives. Best thing is you only have to water your plants about once a week or even once every two weeks in the middle of the summer…yeah! Fill up the pipes and you are done! That’s why I call them EASY!
EASY planters work with vegetables, flowers, grasses and natives. Plus, you can convert that underperforming planter you already have into an EASY planter with a few additional parts. You can even turn your pots into EASY pots! This is great for you DIYers out there, or we can help you retrofit your old planters, or even design you a customized new EASY planter.
If you are like me, you might need a little reminding no matter how easy something is. I can even send you reminders about when to water your planter via text or email or social media or twitter…or whatever. There are really cool smart devices you can install in the planters as well that will tell you how your plants are doing through handy apps for your smartphone. The trick is make it EASY and enjoy the fruits of your labor.