Question
Hi,
I just bought a nice wood box that I want to transplant my basil and other spice plants into.  I am afraid to just throw some soil and the plants in the box because i don't want to ruin the box or the plants.  Also, there is no hole at the bottom of the box.  

I was thinking about lining the box with some tarp and drilling in a drain hole.  Is this necessary?  Does the box need a drain hole?  Or could I use gravel or rocks underneath the soil to collect the water?  Or should I do the drain hole with rocks underneath the soil and a tarp liner?  

Sorry this is a lot. Thanks!

Answer
Lorissa,

Your box needs a drain hole and a drain tray undneath it. The plants you are talking about hate soggy soil. They need soil with air in it and the box needs a drain hole for the health of your plants. I'm not sure why you want to line it with a tarp. If that is to hold the water in that would be a mistake. The water needs to drain freely into the drain tray under the plant. The drain tray can be plastic metal or glass and it should be emptied an hour after watering the plant. If the plants are allowed to sit in standing water the roots will rot and the plants will die. Good luck with your project.

Darlene