Window box planting in Exeter
Professional window box planting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Window boxes set up and planted properly - drainage sorted, good compost, plants arranged to look nice from the street. Takes the hassle out of doing them at height or if bending's difficult.
When Window Boxes Feel Like Hard Work
Window boxes are brilliant - instant kerb appeal, flowers at eye level, brightens up any house front.
But filling and planting them is awkward. Especially if they're mounted up high (working off ladders with compost bags), or you've got a bad back and bending over planters isn't fun.
Get someone to do the physical setup while you enjoy picking the plants.
💡 Pro tip: Window boxes dry out fast in summer - they're small volumes of compost in full sun. Water-retaining gel mixed into the compost helps massively.
Why Proper Setup Matters
Bad planting = dead plants by August. Good setup = thriving all season.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Drainage holes or layer of crocks | Plants sitting in water, roots rotting |
| Right compost level (room for watering) | Soil washing over sides when it rains |
| Plants spaced with growth room | Everything crammed, struggling |
| Secured properly at height | Box falls off in first storm |
What's Involved
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Check drainage, add crocks if needed |
| Fill | Compost to right level, not too high |
| Plant | Arrange plants for display, water in |
| Secure | Check mounting if at height |
📦 What You Provide
- Window boxes/planters
- Compost (multipurpose or specific if you prefer)
- Plants you want in them
- Crocks/gravel if boxes have no drainage
Pricing Guide
| Job | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 standard window boxes | 1 hr | £60 |
| Boxes at height (ladder work) | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Multiple boxes + securing | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Includes basic setup - if boxes need mounting from scratch, that's a separate job.
Perfect For...
✅ Front of house displays - kerb appeal matters
✅ High window boxes - ladder work needed
✅ Bad back / mobility - bending's difficult
✅ Seasonal changeovers - summer to winter displays
Why Choose Us for Window box planting in Exeter?
Drainage sorted so plants don't drown
Right compost for the situation
Plants arranged properly for display
Secured safely if it's high up
What to Expect
Step 1: Check & Prep
Make sure boxes have drainage (drill holes if needed and possible), add crocks if not. Check they're secure if mounted already.
Step 2: Fill & Plant
Compost to the right level (not too high), plants arranged for best display. Typical arrangement: upright plants in middle, trailing ones at edges.
Step 3: Water & Secure
Water everything in well, double-check mounting brackets if at height. Finished display ready to grow.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to do your window boxes yourself:
🔧 What you'll need
- Enough compost (boxes take more than you think)
- Drainage material (gravel, crocks, polystyrene chunks)
- Drill with masonry bit (if adding drainage holes)
- Watering can or hose
- Step ladder if boxes are at height
📏 Compost levels
- Drainage layer (2-3cm for window boxes)
- Fill to about 3-4cm below rim
- Plant, then top up around them
- Final level: 2cm below rim (room for watering without overflow)
🌱 Planting arrangement
Classic window box style:
- Tall/upright plants in the middle
- Bushier plants around them
- Trailing plants at the edges to cascade down
- Odd numbers look better than even (3 or 5 plants not 4)
Seasonal examples:
- Spring: Daffodils/tulips centre, primroses around, trailing ivy edges
- Summer: Geraniums centre, petunias around, trailing lobelia edges
- Winter: Small evergreens centre, winter pansies around, trailing ivy
💧 Keeping them alive
- Water regularly - daily in hot weather
- Feed weekly in growing season (liquid feed)
- Deadhead flowers to encourage more
- Replace plants that give up
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- No drainage = dead plants in weeks
- Compost too high = washes everywhere
- Overcrowding = everything struggles
- Wrong plants for sun/shade situation
- Forgetting to water (they dry out fast)
💡 Pro trick: Mix water-retaining gel crystals into your compost before planting. They absorb water when you water, release it slowly when soil dries. Means boxes cope better between waterings - game-changer for summer.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Mounting boxes safely: If your window boxes aren't mounted yet, that's a separate job (bracket fitting). For boxes that just sit on window sills, make sure they're stable and can't blow off in wind.
Seasonal displays: Most people do two changes per year - spring/summer (April-September) and autumn/winter (October-March). Keeps them looking fresh and interesting.
Trailing plants are essential - that's what makes window boxes look good from the street. Without trailing plants, they just look like pots sitting on a shelf.
Front-facing houses on busy roads: Get better displays than back gardens - you'll actually see them every day and visitors notice. Worth making them look good.
Exeter's climate: Mild winters mean you can have winter displays that actually flower (winter pansies, heathers, ornamental cabbages). Not every area can do that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does window box planting include?
Setting up the box with proper drainage, filling with the right compost, planting and arranging your plants nicely so they look good from the street. If the box needs securing at height, I can do that too - you don't want it falling off.
Can you plant window boxes that are already mounted up high?
Yes - I've got ladders. As long as it's safely accessible (not third floor on a dodgy wall), I can plant them in situ. Sometimes it's easier to plant them at ground level first, then mount them, depending on the setup.
What plants work best in window boxes?
Depends on sun/shade and whether you want seasonal (bedding plants that you change) or permanent (trailing evergreens). I'm a handyman not a garden designer, but I know the basics. If you've already bought plants, I'll arrange them nicely. If not, I can advise on practical choices.
Do I need to provide the compost and plants?
Yes - you provide the box, compost, and plants. I do the physical setup and planting. If you want advice on what compost or how many plants, I can help with that when you book.
How many window boxes can you plant in a session?
Depends on size and complexity. 2-3 standard window boxes usually takes 1-1.5 hours. If they're large or at height (requiring ladders), might take a bit longer. I'll estimate when I know your setup.
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