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I have been asked to go into a bit more detail about planting garden boxes. If your planter is empty ( and deep ) then you will need to fill the bottom two thirds with a mixture of broken stones about fist size. The soft sandstone and limestone used as building material is ideal, because they absorb and retain moisture. Then top up with garden soil and a little peat moss. Make sure the mixture is not too compact, add some sand if necessary. If on the other hand it is full of building rubbish you will need to empty some of this out and then top up with a good soil mixture.

Then you need to visit your local garden center and talk to somone there about some protective membrane and ask advice as to the plants you will use. Succulents, cacti and low growing herbs like hanging rosemary in areas where you do not wish to block out the view. Yuccas, oleanders etc. on the ends or to screen off the neighbours. If you explain where your planters are situated - full sun, some afternoon shade..... the assistant will be able to guide you with your selection. Just make sure not too buy anything that will grow too high and do not plant too many plants too closely. You will also need your pebbles or stones to finish off, take the measurements of the plater with you so the assistant can help work out how many sacks of stones you will need.

Now, back to the the garden - cut the protective membrane to fit the size of the planter and place it over the soil, leave a very small border of soil showing all the way around, this allows extra water to soak in when you are watering.
Then after drawing up a plan for planting, lift the membrane and dig small holes where you plan to place your plants. Replace the membrane then using a sharp knife cut a hole in the membrane (cut away some of the membrane if you need a big hole) and place your plant through it into the hole you have prepared in the soil. Try to keep the membrane clear of soil, you want the soil under the membrane not on top.  Once you have all your planting done, then spread the stones all over the membrane, out to the walls of the container and up as close to each plant as possible. The stones keep the membrane in place, the membrane keeps the moisture in the soil and also stops any seeds from sprouting and cluttering up the garden with weeds. Water well, making sure each plant has received sufficient water to enable the roots to settle. It is advisable to do your planting out in the afternoons, not during the hottest time of the day. 
If anyone needs assistance with planting or more information or please e-mail me - pamelassolutions@gmail.com

I must say I'm very pleased with the garden boxes that I planted at the beginning of the summer. Spending every evening watering is a great time consumer not to mention impossible if you aren't there on a regular basis but something has to be done when you step out onto the patio and stare straight out a miserable dead weedy fringe. So armed with some tips I'd remembered from my Australian gardening days, I ripped out all the weeds at the root and laid a wide strip of protective membrane over some new potting mix. Then through it, I planted succulents, cacti and Oleanders, all resistant to our summer heat. To finish off I spread white pebbles over the membrane. I've only had to water every other week and the membrane acted as a barrier to stop all the wind born seed sprouting up. I'm very pleased, no weeding and a quick watering - an attractive terrace border and very low maintenance!