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Placing Box on Cement
+5
Momma Pajama
chocolatepop
martha
boffer
Teresa
9 posters
Page 1 of 1
Placing Box on Cement
I'm new to SFG and I really appreciate all the information shared by you who are more experienced. I have a couple of questions for you:
1. I have to place my box on cement. Do I really need to attach the plywood to the frame, or could I just place the plywood on the cement with the frame placed on top of that?
2. Is drainage hampered when the box is on cement? I wonder if the weight of the soil against the plywood and cement allows enough space for drainage.
Thanks so much for your help.
Teresa in CA
1. I have to place my box on cement. Do I really need to attach the plywood to the frame, or could I just place the plywood on the cement with the frame placed on top of that?
2. Is drainage hampered when the box is on cement? I wonder if the weight of the soil against the plywood and cement allows enough space for drainage.
Thanks so much for your help.
Teresa in CA
Teresa-
Posts : 12
Join date : 2010-04-08
Location : Agoura Hills, CA
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Hi and Welcome
You're not the first to put your box on concrete; plywood is not necessary. For piece of mind, you could put shims (a pebble, or whatever) under the corners of the box to insure adequate drainage. Generally though, concrete is rough enough that it won't seal with the box bottom.

You're not the first to put your box on concrete; plywood is not necessary. For piece of mind, you could put shims (a pebble, or whatever) under the corners of the box to insure adequate drainage. Generally though, concrete is rough enough that it won't seal with the box bottom.
Re: Placing Box on Cement
I have the plywood and assume it will be easier to clean up should I ever decide to move the box. Still no problem just placing on the cement with the box on top?
Any cons to not attaching the plywood, or is that only necessary when doing a raised box?
Thank you.
Any cons to not attaching the plywood, or is that only necessary when doing a raised box?
Thank you.
Teresa-
Posts : 12
Join date : 2010-04-08
Location : Agoura Hills, CA
Re: Placing Box on Cement
If it were me, I would use the plywood and put the box on wheels. If you decide to use plywood, put a 1/4 inch drain hole in each square, and one near each corner for good measure.
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Wheels--good idea! Thanks for the quick responses.
Teresa-
Posts : 12
Join date : 2010-04-08
Location : Agoura Hills, CA
Re: Placing Box on Cement
and I agree with Boffer about the plywood - well, of course, if you are going to put wheels on it, then you are already convinced, silly me, but also, as you said, in the event you need to move it.
martha-
Posts : 2188
Join date : 2010-03-03
Age : 66
Location : Acton, Massachusetts Zone 5b/6a
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Sounds great! I have been thinking of making a 3 x 3' box like that to teach with (I am a preschool teacher). I thought I could just pull it down the hall with a rope! Maybe I can paint on the outside of the box, "Veggies to Go!"
Re: Placing Box on Cement
I did not build the box myself but a friend gave it to me; she had one too many. It's new and has the weed barrier fabric attached. The plywood she gave me is only 1/4" thick. Should I get rid of the weed barrier, or will it matter? Do I need to get 3/4" plywood if I'm going to attach plywood to the bottom, or will the 1/4 do?
I don't know much about working with wood. I assume I will screw the plywood on. Can you tell me what size screws and how far apart I should place them?
Is it difficult to attach casters?
I don't know much about working with wood. I assume I will screw the plywood on. Can you tell me what size screws and how far apart I should place them?
Is it difficult to attach casters?
Teresa-
Posts : 12
Join date : 2010-04-08
Location : Agoura Hills, CA
mckr3441
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 765
Join date : 2010-03-05
Age : 83
Location : Cleveland Heights, Ohio (5b)
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Momma Pajama wrote:I thought I could just pull it down the hall with a rope! Maybe I can paint on the outside of the box, "Veggies to Go!"
That works! Since "Meals on Wheels" is taken!
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Practically everything in my shop is on wheels. I have dozens of casters saved 'just in case'.
But it was Claire who gave me the idea last year about mobile SFGS
But it was Claire who gave me the idea last year about mobile SFGS

Re: Placing Box on Cement
It is so helpful to see the photos, Claire. Beautiful! Thank you.
Question: since the box was on casters, why did you set it on top of
some planks? Aesthetics?
Question: since the box was on casters, why did you set it on top of
some planks? Aesthetics?
Teresa-
Posts : 12
Join date : 2010-04-08
Location : Agoura Hills, CA
Re: Placing Box on Cement
I wouldn't use less than 3/4 inch ply. Since you have a piece of 1/4, you could buy 1/2 to save money, and use both to get 3/4. #8 screws, 1 1/2 inches long, every 6-8 inches.
Re: Placing Box on Cement
I've been thinking about putting wheels on the boxes I'm building for my patio. How heavy duty do the casters need to be to support a 4x4x6" box?
Prestermatt-
Posts : 8
Join date : 2010-03-17
Location : Twin Cities, Minnesota
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Hi,
Recently, in another thread, we figured out a 4x4 box with saturated soil was in the 3-400 pound range. A common rating for a smaller caster is 75LB, so four of them.
Practically speaking, it depends what you'll mainly be rolling on. The rougher the surface, the bigger the diameter you would want to use, for ease of rolling.
Recently, in another thread, we figured out a 4x4 box with saturated soil was in the 3-400 pound range. A common rating for a smaller caster is 75LB, so four of them.
Practically speaking, it depends what you'll mainly be rolling on. The rougher the surface, the bigger the diameter you would want to use, for ease of rolling.
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Prestermatt wrote:How heavy duty do the casters need to be to support a 4x4x6" box?
I'd say the bigger the better and I wonder if you would need a swivel in the center???. I put two regular wheels and two swivel ones on mine. Next time I'll use all four swivel. Bigger wheels make anything easier to move. Also, I like the wheels to show. It brings more attention. However...
Teresa wrote:Question: since the box was on casters, why did you set it on top of
some planks? Aesthetics?
...my DH wanted to "hide" the wheels so he laid a couple of old 2x4s along the sides. Boo Hiss.
Thanks everyone for the compliments.

mckr3441
Certified SFG Instructor-
Posts : 765
Join date : 2010-03-05
Age : 83
Location : Cleveland Heights, Ohio (5b)
Re: Placing Box on Cement
This is an old thread from the Forum's first year. If any of you have set a bed on a concrete slab, an asphalt driveway, or a flat roof, could you share your photos? I know of three SFG gardeners who have done this but I failed to save their photos.
Thank you, Sanderson
Thank you, Sanderson
Re: Placing Box on Cement
Never plant without a bucket of compost at your side.
sanderson likes this post

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