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Hi all
I'm working how to go about creating an outdoor planter box with seating. Got a few questions. I'll attach a pic of the space and what I hope to achieve.
Plan is to build with narrow besser blocks and rebar with 2 separate footing leaving sand ground between, filling with rocks, landscaping mesh and then soil for planting.
1. Will this be sufficient drainage?
2. How do I waterproof the exterior as I want to butt it up close to the garfen shed and fence?
3. What can I use to fill the gap between the fence and concrete so it doesnt fill up with leaves, nuts etc and create moisture against the wall?
First question
Good Evening @michy81
Wooooo 
Now that opens up options for sure! 
If you are considering that I would really suggest to sit down with a sketch pad and start scrolling through pages like this and cruise through some pages just to get ideas. The forms you could make, especially with reo inside might change what you have planned.
For instance I saw some bench seats at work that were made from poured concrete with styrofoam in the large foot at one end (to save concrete and keep the seat lighter I presume) and slatted timber boards on top. It looks stylish and functional.
Ive only ever done some concrete repair and concrete footings for lamp posts but for sure the other members will have some brilliant ideas
Mind is running off with ideas! Just rem if you are going to have a garden bed make sure water can exit
Dave
Hello @michy81
In regards to the overall construction of your planter box, I would encourage you to build it as free standing with four walls to keep the soil inside the planter and not touching your fence. I recommend sealing the inside of the planter, this will prevent hydrostatic pressure from occurring on the outside of the planter. This will allow you to paint the outside of the planter with whatever colour you want, and it won't peel off.
Building it out of poured concrete pretty much allows you to almost create it in whatever shape you want. But as @Dave-1 said make sure you provide a drain point for the water.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Evening @michy81
Will try and remember to take a pic of the benches at work tomorrow so I can explain easier
Dave
Hi @michy81
When soil and water area placed in a container, the soil absorbs the water and usually flows down in all directions. The trapped moisture in the soil now needs to evaporate or get out somehow and it will find every exit available. This includes the porous surface of the poured concrete. When water passes through the wall of the concrete any paint product you have on top of the planter will literally get pushed off. But by sealing the inside walls of your planter moisture can only evaporate through the top and your paint is preserved.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Morning @michy81
These are the "concrete" seats or bases for garden beds I was describing.
The fat end is 1/3 to a half of styrofoam in the middle. You save on the amount of concrete needed plus its lighter. (No way could you move these bty, they are heavy!) They made the seats insitu with formwork. and I saw them using styrofoam to fill the voids.
For your instance you could go the same route and have the fat end taller to enclose the garden beds?
at leats half is styrofoam on the inside.
Even the short leg had styrofoam within it.
They have been there for at least 5 years.
Dave
Hi @michy81,
You can use the Bastion Exterior Waterproof Membrane. An extension pole paint roller would likely be the best applicator tool for your project. The long pole will allow you to get to where the waterproofing is needed.
Please note that you'll need to use the primer since the surface is porous.
I'm not aware of any waterproofers in spray form that would be suitable for your project.
Mitchell
