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.
Collections
Blog posts
What Keeps a Garden Growing: Simple Care That Makes a Big Difference Part 6 of our 7
By now, your garden is planted. Seedlings have been transplanted. Roots are settling in. And things are finally starting to grow. And if you’re anything like me, this is the point where you walk outside, look around… and think: Okay… now what? Because the work hasn’t stopped — it’s just changed.This Is Where Gardening Gets Quieter Earlier in the season, everything feels active — planning, planting, moving things around.Now, the pace shifts.This stage isn’t about doing more. It’s about paying attention to what’s already growing. Small, steady care makes the biggest difference here. This is where feeding, pruning, supporting growth, and preventing small problems come into play — not all at once, but a little at a time. Watering: Pay Attention, Not Just “On Schedule”Watering sounds simple — but it’s one of the easiest things to get wrong.Instead of sticking to a strict schedule, start noticing what your plants actually need. Check the soil, not just the calendar. Pay attention to heat, wind, and rain — all of which can change how quickly your soil dries out.Rain, especially, can be a bit misleading. A light shower might not reach the roots, while a heavy rain can leave soil overly saturated — depending on how your garden is set up. Most plants prefer deep, consistent watering, not frequent, light watering. This is one of the reasons I rely so much on self-watering elevated planters. They help take some of the guesswork out of watering by keeping moisture levels more consistent at the roots — which is exactly where it matters most.With CedarCraft self-watering planters, rain becomes part of the system instead of a problem. Excess water drains into the reservoir rather than sitting in the soil, helping prevent overwatering while still giving plants access to moisture as they need it.Everything feels more… steady. I’m not constantly wondering if I watered too much one day or forgot the next. The soil stays balanced, and the plants respond to that consistency. If you’re watering by hand, early morning is best, and your goal is simple: moist soil, not soggy soil. Consistency matters more than perfection.Pruning: Helping Plants Grow Better, Not Bigger Pruning can feel intimidating, but it’s one of the simplest ways to improve plant health once you understand what each plant needs. And that’s the key — every plant is a little different.A quick online or AI search can guide you on how a specific plant prefers to be pruned. Some thrive with regular trimming, while others need a lighter touch. Basil is one of the easiest examples. Pinching basil just above a set of leaves encourages the plant to branch out instead of growing tall and leggy. The more you pinch, the fuller the plant becomes — which means more leaves and a healthier plant overall. I didn’t always do this. There was a season I let my basil grow however it wanted. I assumed more leaves would mean more pesto. Instead, it grew tall, a little thin, and not nearly as productive as I expected. Once I started pruning it regularly, everything changed — fuller plants, stronger growth, and a lot more basil.Other plants follow similar patterns: Tomatoes benefit from removing lower leaves for better airflow Peppers may need light pruning to direct energy Herbs often respond well to regular harvesting and trimming If something looks crowded or shaded, it’s usually okay to trim. You’re not taking away from the plant. You’re helping it grow more intentionally. Supporting Growth Before It Becomes a ProblemSome plants grow faster than we expect. Tomatoes, peppers, and even some herbs benefit from early support — stakes, cages, or trellises that help guide their growth as they get taller.It’s much easier to support a plant early than to fix it after it bends or breaks. I learned this in a different way years ago when my kids were little — around two and three. We grew tomatoes, and they would run outside and pick them straight off the vine like fruit. I never even made it inside with a single tomato. To this day, they still eat tomatoes the same way. Those plants needed support early — not just to keep them upright, but to keep everything accessible, growing well, and able to handle a little attention from small hands grabbing, pulling, and reaching in. When plants are supported properly, everything from growth to harvest becomes easier — even when little helpers are involved.And just like watering, having the right setup from the beginning makes a difference. When your growing space is stable — whether that’s through structured planters or built-in support systems — plants are able to grow more naturally without constant correction.Preventing Problems Before They GrowAt this stage, you’ll start noticing little things — a yellow leaf, a small hole, a plant that looks slightly off. Not every change is a problem. But patterns matter.I’ve learned that small problems rarely stay small if you ignore them. A few yellow leaves or a bit of damage can spread if you’re not paying attention. Now I don’t panic — I just notice sooner and adjust when needed. Here are a few of the most common issues — and simple ways to handle them: Yellowing leaves (especially lower leaves):Often a sign of overwatering or natural aging. Check soil moisture before watering again and remove older leaves if needed. Holes in leaves:Usually insects. Inspect plants closely and remove affected leaves or gently rinse the plant to manage early damage. Wilting plants (despite watering):Could be inconsistent watering or heat stress. Check moisture below the surface and adjust your watering approach. Crowded or damp leaves:Limited airflow can lead to disease. Light pruning improves circulation and helps prevent larger issues. The goal isn’t to catch everything perfectly. It’s to notice early and respond simply. A small adjustment now is almost always easier than fixing something later.A Note on Feeding Plants don’t need constant feeding — but they do benefit from support during active growth. Simple is best: Healthy soil Light fertilizing Occasional nutrients More isn’t better. Consistency matters more than quantity.Where the Planner Still HelpsThis is where your Garden Planner becomes less about planning… and more about noticing. Use it to jot down what’s growing well, what seems slow, when you prune or adjust, and anything that surprises you along the way. These small notes become incredibly helpful next season. Because next year, you won’t be starting from scratch — you’ll be building on what you’ve already learned. Coming Up in Blog 7In our final post for this series, we’ll talk about harvesting, reflecting, and preparing for next season — because a good garden doesn’t end when the season does. It carries forward. Mischelle is the voice behind The Backyard Hopeful, sharing real-life lessons from her Texas garden — from seed starting to pesto-worthy basil harvests — so everyday gardeners can grow with a little more confidence.
Learn more
From Seed Tray to Garden Bed: Helping Young Plants Grow Strong (Part 5 of 7)
Your seedlings are growing fast — maybe faster than expected. Learn when to pot up, how to transplant properly, and how to give young plants the space and time they need to grow strong.
Learn more
From Seed to Strong: What Starting Indoors Really Teaches You (Blog 4 of 7)
Starting seeds indoors is one of the most rewarding — and misunderstood — parts of gardening. In Part 4 of our Garden Planning Series, we walk through when to start seeds, how to use grow lights effectively, why seed-starting mix matters, and how to avoid common mistakes — all grounded in one memorable basil story.
Learn more
