Every Choice Tells a Story
I used to think buying a planter was just about picking a size and hoping I didn’t kill the basil. But somewhere along the way, I realized that every backyard choice we make—every material, every design—has a ripple effect. That’s why at CedarCraft, we don’t just use cedar. We believe in it. Deeply.
Cedar isn’t just beautiful and durable—it’s also the heart of our sustainability mission. And as it turns out, that mission is shared by some pretty big names… including Costco, and our other retail partner. More on that in a bit.
The Roots of CedarCraft: BornFrom a Road Trip and a Really Good Idea
Let me tell you a little story. In the early 2000s, our founders, Glen and Carol, found themselves at a crossroads. Literally. Unsure of what came next, they hit the road in search of meaning, wood, and maybe a better way to make a living.
Carol had noticed cedar grilling planks popping up at places like Williams-Sonoma. What if they could make those planks more accessible—and ensure they came from responsible, sustainable sources?
Their search led them through the forests of the Pacific Northwest, eventually landing at Gorman Bros. Lumber, a sustainable mill in British Columbia known for its commitment to forest stewardship. The match? Perfect. The mission? Clear.
Repurposed With Purpose: From Smart Sourcing to Stunning Design
At CedarCraft, sustainability doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means making smart, intentional choices—like sourcing solid cedar from responsibly managed forests and working with partners who prioritize forest health over fast profits.
While our story began with finding ways to use rescued wood, today we proudly use sustainably sourced cedar to craft our signature pieces—including our self-watering elevated cedar planters and the beautifully designed Bali Pergola.
What hasn’t changed is our commitment to reducing waste, maximizing material use, and creating products that honor the forests they come from.
Why Western Red Cedar?Sustainability You Can See—And Smell
We choose Western Red Cedar for a lot of good reasons. It’s naturally rot-resistant, chemical-free, and weathers like a dream—making it ideal for outdoor planters, pergolas, and raised beds. No pressure-treated mystery materials here. Just real wood that’s built to last (and smells amazing)
But cedar isn’t just a pretty face. It’s part of a bigger promise. Our cedar is sourced from responsibly managed forests across North America, primarily in Canada and the northern U.S. Working with trusted partners like Gorman Bros.—a leader in FSC® and PEFC-certified practices—means our supply chain stays close to home and focused on forest health.
CedarCraft supports local jobs in Canada and the US, reduces transportation emissions, and keeps quality at the forefront. When you grow vegetables, flowers, or herbs in one of our self-watering elevated cedar planters, or lounge under a Bali Pergola, you’re not just investing in your outdoor space—you’re backing a whole system built on responsible forestry and thoughtful design.
GrowingForests, Not Just Tomatoes
Our Partnership with the National Forest Foundation - Here’s something we’re truly proud of: CedarCraft supports the National Forest Foundation’s reforestation efforts across the U.S. to helps restore ecosystems, fight climate change, and bring life back to damaged lands.
Further, we believe in third-party accountability. That’s why our materials are PEFC-certified—a globally respected sustainability standard.
PEFC Quick Guide
- Forests are managed to the highest environmental, social & economic standards
- Materials are traceable through the entire supply chain
- PEFC products meet procurement and sustainability expectations
- Supports the long-term health of forest ecosystems globally
Look for the PEFC label—it’s more than a symbol, it’s a promise.
Honored to Be Aligned: OurShared Values with Costco
CedarCraft is proud to be an honored seller at Costco, and not just because they have great snacks.
Costco partners with brands that meet high standards for sustainability, quality, and integrity. We’re proud to be one of them. This partnership is about more than shelves and barcodes—it’s about shared values. Values that put people and the planet first.
Direct From Us, Direct From the Source
When you shop with us online, you get the full CedarCraft experience—stories, sourcing, impact, and all. From our Bali 8x8 Cedar Pergola to our best-selling self-watering elevated planters, we make it easy to bring sustainability home.
Everyday Sustainability: Tips for a Greener Backyard
Sustainability doesn’t stop at checkout. Here are five simple ways to keep the mission going at home:
- Collect rainwater to hydrate your garden naturally
- Compost leaves and veggie scraps to feed your soil
- Mulch your clippings to keep soil cool and hydrated
- Look for certified products (like PEFC or FSC) when shopping
It’s not about perfection—it’s
about momentum.
From Mischelle: Beauty With Purpose
I have two teenage boys. I’d love to leave them a world that’s not so polluted they need an inhaler to play tennis—that’s assuming I don’t strangle them before they graduate. So yeah, sustainability matters to me. Not just as a feel-good buzzword, but as a way of pushing back—one planter, one pergola, one conscious choice at a time. If you’re here for beauty and purpose, you’re in the right place.
Blog posts
Best Plant Apps for Gardeners: When Your Ghost Peppers Ghost You
My Pepper Plants Have Commitment Issues This season, my ghost peppers completely ghosted me—big leafy plants, but no fruit at all. My banana peppers were a little more generous, sending out plenty of flowers, but only a handful ever turned into actual peppers. Raised beds make gardening easier, but they don’t explain why your peppers play hard to get.That’s when I turned to plant apps. Whether it’s figuring out why my peppers won’t perform or identifying that mystery sprout in the corner of the bed, these apps act like a pocket garden coach—ready whenever I need a second opinion. Top Plant Apps Worth Downloading App Name Rating Free or Paid Approx. Cost Standout Feature PictureThis 4.8/5 Freemium → Paid ~$30/year Identifies plants instantly, flags pests/disease, and gives tailored care tips PlantNet 4.4/5 Free Free Community-powered ID, perfect for flowers and veggies iNaturalist 4.0/5 Free Free Connects your finds to global citizen science projects PlantSnap 4.6/5 Freemium → Paid In-app purchases Large database, great for ornamentals and edibles alike Planta 4.7/5 Freemium → Paid ~$35/year Creates customized care schedules based on your climate and sunlight For a deeper dive into how these apps compare head-to-head, GrowIt BuildIt ran extensive tests and shared their full results. Why These Apps Are Great for Pepper Problems PictureThis: Snaps a photo of your plant and helps diagnose common issues (like poor pollination or nutrient needs). PlantNet: Great for quick ID when you’re not sure if that’s a volunteer pepper sprout—or an ambitious weed. iNaturalist: Not just peppers—connects you with a community of gardeners and scientists who love troubleshooting. PlantSnap: Broad coverage across veggies and ornamentals—useful if you’ve got more than peppers in your beds. Planta: Tailors watering and fertilizing reminders to your local conditions, which is especially helpful for peppers that are sensitive to heat and timing. Extra Tips for Choosing the Right App Check for troubleshooting featuresSome apps go beyond plant ID and actually suggest care solutions. PictureThis will flag pests, nutrient deficiencies, and stress symptoms—helpful when peppers look fine but aren’t producing fruit.Ease of photo uploads mattersPeppers can look very similar at different stages. Apps with strong AI, like PictureThis and PlantSnap, quickly analyze photos and reduce misidentifications.Look for regional accuracySome apps adjust advice to your climate zone. Planta is especially strong here, creating care schedules based on your local weather, daylight, and humidity—great for peppers that demand consistent warmth and pollination.Try before you buyMany apps start free with limited features. Test them before committing to an annual subscription—especially if you just want ID versus detailed coaching.Use app journalsTracking bloom time, fruit set, and soil conditions makes patterns easier to spot. Both Planta and PictureThis include journaling features, which is perfect for comparing this season’s pepper success (or struggle) and prepping for a fall garden—more on that in an upcoming post. Pairing Apps with CedarCraft Raised Beds Raised and elevated beds already give peppers a head start with warmer soil, better drainage, and easy access for care. Add in an app that reminds you when to water, fertilize, or troubleshoot—and you’ve got a recipe for a stronger harvest, without the guesswork. Wrap-Up Ghost peppers that ghost you, banana peppers that flirt with flowers but won’t commit—every gardener has been there. Plant apps can’t guarantee fruit, but they can help you figure out why things aren’t going as planned and what to try next. Combined with raised-bed planters that give your crops the best growing environment, they’re the kind of backup every gardener needs. Mischelle, the Backyard Hopeful Mischelle is a writer, former chef, and the proud survivor of many, many houseplant casualties. While most greenery in her care has met a leafy end, she’s found her redemption in CedarCraft’s self-watering planters—where her herbs actually thrive. Basil is her crown jewel; her kids eat it like lettuce, and she turns it into a killer artichoke hummus pesto. She loves warm weather, outdoor BBQs, and believes you don’t need to be an expert gardener to create something beautiful—just the right tools, a little sun, and a whole lot of hope
Learn more
From Planter to Plank
This holiday, ribeye may be off the menu ($19.99/lb—ouch), but that doesn’t mean the grill will be empty. My CedarCraft self-watering planter is still overflowing with basil, so I turned it into creamy cashew pesto and stuffed it inside a pork tenderloin. Grilled on a True Fire Cedar Grill Plank, it’s smoky, herby, and budget-friendly—a backyard feast that even made my neighbors jealous.
Learn more
Surviving the Summer—Without Losing Your Garden or Your Sanity
The other afternoon, I stepped outside and the heat radiated off the pavement so fiercely it felt like it was coming at me from all directions. If you’ve gardened here in Texas, you know that feeling—when your plants practically wave a white flag by noon. Most years, by the time August rolls around, my yard looks like a crime scene for potted plants. I call it “The Great Annual Plant Massacre” — victims include tomatoes, peppers, basil, and pretty much anything that dared to leaf out in June. That was until I set up my CedarCraft Self-Watering Raised Planter. Now, even in extreme heat, my garden keeps going—and my family and I get fresh pesto all summer long. I also get something I’d been missing for years: my life (and my weekends) back. My Real-World Routine in Extreme Heat Here’s how I keep my plants happy when the thermometer is working overtime: Refill the reservoir every 3–4 days during the worst heat (longer if temps dip below 95°F). Mist plants every couple of days for a quick refresh on the leaves. Let the self-watering system do the rest—steady root-level moisture means no more midday wilt panic. Why Self-Watering + Raised Height Is a Game-Changer It’s not just about healthy plants—it’s about a happier gardener. Here’s what it’s done for me: Travel without guilt – Head to the beach, take a weekend trip, or escape to Alaska without coming home to crispy, lifeless plants. (That's me in Puerto Rico :). Keep those backaches at bay – Raised height means no crouching marathons or awkward stretches. Steady, stress-free plants – No more “flood or famine” watering cycles that leave roots stressed. Sip, don’t sweat – Bottom watering means less evaporation and less time standing in the sun with a hose. Cooler, happier plants – Roots stay calm, collected, and ready to grow even when the air feels like an oven. Tips for Keeping Plants Thriving in Summer Heat Shade during peak hours – A little afternoon shade can mean the difference between thriving and frying. 2. Misting – Gives plants a quick boost without overwatering the soil.3. Mulch the top – Keeps soil temperatures lower and slows evaporation.4. Prune regularly – Encourages airflow and reduces stress on plants.5. Group heat-tolerant plants together – So your watering schedule stays simple. From Heat-Stressed to Hands-Free Enjoyment Before I had a self-watering raised planter, I was chained to my hose all summer. Now, I get to: Sit on the porch with a glass of iced tea instead of dragging hoses around. Enjoy fresh basil for pesto all summer instead of watching it wither away. Avoid the “August Garden Funeral” where I pull up crispy, lifeless plants and pretend they “moved to the country.”It’s still Texas. It’s still hot. But now, the heat doesn’t win.Ready to beat the summer burnout?Your garden—and your back—will thank you. Check out our CedarCraft Self-Watering Raised Planter and make this the summer you thrive alongside your plants. Mischelle, the Backyard Hopeful Writer, former chef, and reformed plant neglecter. These days, her herbs actually thrive—thanks to CedarCraft’s self-watering planters. She loves cedar-scented projects, summer BBQs, and believes anyone can create a beautiful space with the right tools and a little hope.
Learn more
