Planter Liner Material - HDPE Plastic Roll - Waterproof

"I was extremely happy with your product, it installs well, and is high quality."

- Eric, Beaverton, OR

A roll of 40 mil liner three feet wide was purchased to line four deep raised planter beds. Each bed measured 4' wide by 8' long and over 30" deep. The liner was cut to fit each side of the bed. It was secured to the walls with plastic cap nails. The corners were sealed with Vycor tape and the nails coated with Rustoleum rubber sealant. The liner was easy to work with and I am very satisfied with the quality of the material. Now I only need to fill with topsoil to enjoy some gardening!

- Winfield, Mullica Hill, NJ

Thickness comparison

The below is a thickness comparison of the material. HDPE plastic thickness is measured in "mils" which is "thousands of an inch".

Do I Have To Use A Liner In My Planter?

In all honesty, liners are very important for boxes made of wood. Wood is a degradable material and metal is inclined to rust.

Planter Liners Made Of Wood

Liners for wood have been a popular choice for planters for some time now. The downside, wood can degrade quite quickly when in contact with water so the liners must be used to maintain the planter's sustainability. Think about it, a piece of wood in constant contact with water, will eventually turn brown or black and then start to rot.

More than likely, this will happen in your garden since you are applying water to your plants on a regular basis. On top of that, you will have an abundance of microorganisms in the soil. If you place soil directly into a wood plant box, the microorganisms will degrade the wood because wood is a biodegradable material.

The Advantages Of Using A Planter Liner

Using a liner has its benefits including:

Prevents biodegradable planters from decomposing -

A liner will protect your plant boxes that are biodegradable such as wood.  Liners add a layer of protection when they separate the soil, loaded with microorganisms, from the wooden surfaces.

Prevents rusting in metal planters -

Liners can stop contact with water and metal-based parts of a planter. It will prevent this specific planter from rusting and depositing the rust into the soil.

Inhibits fluctuating soil temperatures -

Liners can serve as an insulator for planter boxes. Using a thick layer of plastic sheet will absorb and trap excessive heat from the environment. In turn, this will lessen the heat being absorbed into the soil.

Prevents the growth of weeds -

For planters that are not raised, a liner will help planters stop the weed seeds deposited below the soil's surface from growing through the plant boxes.

Will restrict soil pests -

Using a liner, you can control the conditions and protect the soil in your planter box. There will be fewer chances of pests including ants, gophers, and moles from entering.

The Disadvantages Of Using A Planter Liner

Some of the disadvantages include:

Likely To Suffer From Mechanical Damage -

Liners can become damaged from various activities such as using a trowel for digging which can lead to large tears in the liner, especially if it's made from a lesser material like plastic. In turn, this will defeat the entire purpose of protecting wood or metal planers. This is mostly avoided by using a liner with a mil thickness of 30 mil and up.

Difficulties Changing The Soil -

In the long run, it will take a lot more work to remove all the soil from the plant box and put it back after changing out the liner.

The Three Best Materials For A Good Liner -

The best materials for a good liner are thick, plastic membranes. These membranes are typically constructed of HDPE and available in roll form.

Plastic -

The best material for liners in wood planters is plastic (HDPE).  Plastic is thick and non-biodegradable. It protects these planters from deterioration caused by soil microorganisms and water. Plastic is very effective in linings for metal and wooden planters.

In Conclusion

Liners for your plant boxes will help keep your plants safe and healthy. You will prevent diseases and other elements from getting into the boxes causing harm to your flowers or vegetables.