Hey everyone! I'm about to glue together a cedar planter, and I'm a bit stuck on what finish to apply. My wife and I aren't gardeners; this whole project is really just practice for me since I've never done mortise and tenons before. We're planning to use it for potted herbs and spices instead of filling it with soil, which makes me wonder if I should still be concerned about food safety with the finish I choose. I'm looking for a natural-looking finish that lasts without the need for yearly refinishing. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
As someone who does both gardening and woodworking, I'd say any finish will need maintenance, especially if your planter is going to be out in the sun a lot. Even the best finishes, like Penofin, will usually require attention after a year. I wouldn't want to deal with cleaning and refinishing it when it's full of dirt and plants, so I’d just let it weather to a nice gray color. Also, remember to use plastic inserts to protect the wood from soil contact!
Honestly, I don’t finish my cedar projects at all. Over time, it develops a beautiful gray color naturally and is really tough against the elements. If you really want to maintain that deeper look, maybe go for a spar urethane or a marine wood treatment. Just my preference!
You might want to consider using a penetrating oil finish, like Messmer's UV Plus or Penofin. They work great and just need a refresh every few years—easy peasy! They don't form a film, so you won’t have to strip anything off. Perfect for outdoor projects like this!
Great advice! Someone mentioned a deck finish to me since I’m not putting soil directly inside. I’ve never worked with that kind of stuff before, so I appreciate the tips!