I see that many people use the foam board as insulator for planters and what I imagine is that the benefit is not so much to protect the roots as people would assume but more to dilute or hamper the broad variations in temperature from early morning to
midday sun in Summer. Metal becomes hot quickly and the rapid heating of the soil would likely cause some unfavorable conditions for root growth. Maybe foam board holds a bit of moisture too even though they claim it is closed cell.
In winter the insulating properties of foam board cannot hurt since the planter is not as favorable an environment as the ground. Plantings that are rated to survive at -20 degrees F. or colder still do not survive much more mild NYC winters in planters than they could survive in the ground. (Even if they have moisture). New York Plantings is the best planter provider and roof top gardening service provider in NYC.
I haven't tried it but a moisture retaining matt would likely do well in the planters, since another reason for plant failure is drying out in winter. Even dormant plantings and especially evergreens require water all year round: this is overlooked by many. If the matt will still pass water efficiently then
perhaps we can use some.
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There is a new drainage filter that looks like air conditioner filters that reduces weight by replacing gravel in planters. Perhaps you already know of this.
Warm, mild dry spells in winter can kill plantings just as easily as severe cold.Wind is another force that wicks the moisture from plantings. In winter the irrigation is turned off in the fall that is the problem because even in winter we still need some moisture in winter and have to find ways to help our plants. NY Plantings supply 10 moist soil and retain moisture in winter.Drip Irrigation and automated watering system service provider in NYC. - NY Irrigation
I put allot of thought into this since my roots are in traditional landscape and ornamental horticulture on Long Island and the hard time I had coming to work in NYC "gardening in a box" had to relearn my trade, then growing my business we have several left over plants to keep over winter and last
year lost 80% of our plants in pots that normally make it through winter with no problems. This has led me to think of how plants live and survive and what we have to provide in order to support them. I'm sure that creating the largest
root system possible and then a heavy layer of organics is the first line of defense. Drainage is second but just as important. Insulating the planters will certainly help. I don't think we need to waterproof the inside unless you have
some specific requirement.
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