Getting the most from these Maxi Manger Trough Planters isn't difficult and even though quality raised beds and planters are - pardon the pun - a huge growth area as gardeners realise the benefits of growing their own vegetables, fruit, salad and herbs in waist height comfort with little or no maintenance and free from certain pests, we're still rather pleased with the stylish Maxi Manger Plant trough we've both researched and designed.
Standing 79cm off the ground, 83cm wide and available in 3 lengths (4ft/1.2m, 6ft/1.8m & 8ft/2.4m - image shows 4ft trough planter) these wooden troughs provide growing options that single level raised beds can't dream of offering. Plant your salads and shallow rooting crops round the perimeter of the vegetable trough and let the plants (including carrots and parsnips) which require extra depth really stretch their legs in the centre, where 45cm of soil is available.
Manufactured from Scandinavian softwood sourced from sustainably managed forests, the planed timber used in the planters is 2cm thick and has been pressure treated using a safe preserve. The timber is kiln dried and selected to a structural standard to ensure high quality
These stylish wooden planters are also proving popular as flower troughs, ideal for creating a stunning floral display in your garden, perfect on the patio for a splash of summer colour.
Carrying a 3 year structural guarantee, you can be sure the Maxi Manger Raised Planter won't let you down and your patio will be grateful for the thick, fitted, non-woven polypropylene fabric liner which aids water retention, contains fine sand and compost and helps prevent leaching.
We've also added a smaller version of the Maxi Manger Trough Planter - the Mini Manger which is also available in 3 lengths and are ideal for the patio or courtyard.
And you can turn your Maxi Manger Raised Planter into the ultimate patio vegetable growing system with the new Hoops and Cover Kits - designed exclusively for all lengths of Maxi Manger!
- Manger Raised Planter manufactured from 2cm thick planed timber
- Made from Scandinavian softwood sourced from sustainably managed forests.
- Timber is kiln dried and selected to a structural standard to ensure high quality
- Stands 79cm High
- Measures 83cm wide
- Available in 3 sizes - 4ft/1.2m, 6ft/1.8m and 8ft/2.4m - image shows 4ft trough planter
- Timber is high pressure treated with a safe preserve following consultation with Garden Organic
- Provides a hefty 45cm growing depth in the centre
- Strengthened with internal supports and leg braces
- 3 year structural guarantee
- This product is supplied as a kit for self assembly
- Comes complete with thick, fitted, non-woven polypropylene fabric liner specially tailored for the bed
- Ideal for both shallow and deep rooting vegetables
- Enables you to work at a comfortable height
- Thwarts some ground-dwelling pests
- For the ultimate in crop protection try our new Hoops and Cover Kits
- Liner helps prevent residue leaching onto patio or courtyard and protects timber even further
- Opens up growing options on patios, balconies and terraces and in courtyards
- Ideal for town or city gardens with limited space
- Allows gardeners with back problems to carry on growing
- Supplied with full assembly instructions
- Recommended two person assembly
- We strongly recommend the use of an electric screwdriver with a clutch for assembly and a Pozidrive (PZ2) screwdriver or screw bit to make assembly of the Manger Raised Planter much quicker and easier
- Mini Manger Trough Planter & Micro Manger Trough Planter also available
- Replacement Liners are also available separately
How Much Compost?
When working out the amount of compost required to fill your Maxi Manger Raised Planter, use the following simple guide - each 60cm (2ft) length requires approx 120 litres of material. Don't forget to add plenty of organic matter to improve both soil structure and water retention!
Product Reviews
After much research into other brands on the market and the expense involved, I decided to buy the Harrods Manger, the top of the range 8' version. It was relatively easy to put together and for belts and braces, I applied several coats of a quality wood preservative to all the woodwork in order to extend its life. All has been fine over many years I've had it until this spring when a longitudinal crack appeared in the surface of the soil within. Over recent weeks it's got worse and on closer inspection at the hidden side next to my wall, you could see that the wooden side had given way and only the tough liner was retaining the soil within. I've removed the soil over that half of the manger and upon peeling back the liner you could see that all woodwork was rotten. I'm therefore hugely disappointed with the purchase and although it has performed for several years, with no sign of distress, I question the return I've had for the initial financial outlay. The supporting legs and liner seem fine at the moment but it will need a new cradle, with the inevitable hassle of removing the plants and soil from within and reinstating them. Perhaps I've been unlucky with the quality of the timber (it is a natural product after all) but hopefully Harrods Horticultural will step in now and do the right thing. Thank you.
Thank you for your honest review and sorry to hear of your disappointment with the wood deteriorating. We provide a 3 year structural guarantee on the mangers and can see you purchased the manger in 2017, so it has lasted well beyond the guarantee we offer. Unfortunately, even with the high quality timber we use and the treatment applied, being exposed to moisture and soil for extended periods of time will eventually result in the timber decaying. The liners do help as an additional barrier to help slow down this process, but do not prevent it entirely.
Had to rate it less than 5 star but that is due to damaged items on delivery. After speaking to customer service they replaced the damaged items on an overnight delivery.Overall they are a good size and well made,. We previously purchased the mini mangers but opted for the larger ones this time. Quality was same, comes with a good liner too!, i left it out in the rain the night before positioning to its final spot and the liner held all the rain in !. I painted inside and out with a water protection to aid longevity. Yes we would buy again.
I spent some time researching the market in Trugs before choosing one from Harrod. It was more expensive but noted that its cheaper competitors were criticised for poor manufacture and quality of products. I have shopped from Harrod before and was impressed with quality but also its customer service. These qualities remain. The wood is high quality and well machined and the instructions clear and complete.
Product Videos
MAXI MANGER RAISED PLANTER HELP AND ADVICE
Filling Your Maxi Manger
We've given you an idea of how much soil you'll need to fill your Maxi Manger Raised Planter above, but it's the quality that counts - that's why we're proud of our tie-up with Rolawn, recognised as the market leades when it comes to topsoil and soil improvers.
We recommend you use the Rolawn soils to fill around 75% of your Maxi Manger planter, and make up the missing quarter with some good old organic matter in the form of well rotted manure, garden compost or even some garden centre-bought bags of farmyard manure (FYM). If you are intending to plant the beds up almost immediately after filling, you must make sure any manure is well-rotted down as the fresh variety will release ammonia as it decomposes, and this can harm plants.
Adding this bulky organic matter - Strulch is another alternative - will help with water retention and soil structure in general as light raised bed soils are notorious for rapidly drying out. After your first season of growing, you can think about applying stronger manures which will have the winter to break down – or even grow a green manure crop.
Maxi Manger Crop Protection
Protect your Maxi Manger grown crops with our NEW range of Hoops and Cover Kits, designed specially for the Maxi Manger.
Choose from galvanised steel 19mm hoops, Fitted Insect Mesh covers, a tailored and seam stitched Butterfly Net or the heavy-duty PVC Mesh Vented Cover for all year growing.
Buying the hoops and your choice of cover in kit form is the easiest option but we've also made the covers available separately should you wish to move with the seasons and keep your crops protected all year long!
What The Press Say
Houzz Article by Kate BurtJuly 2020
Which planters will look best in my garden?
Ramp up rustic credentials A trough-style planter works well in a rustic setting, conjuring up, as it does, the idea of farm animals at feeding time. These wooden designs, by Harrod Horticultural, function like raised beds, so would also be a good, space-saving way to grow suitable fruit and vegetables or herbs outside the kitchen door, as well as looking wonderful – as here – with flowers spilling out of them.
Grow Your OwnJuly 2014
The Year Round Potager - Planting a manger bed
Add a statement border to your plot that's easy to access, productive and attractive too!
