Specifications
The PlantLock offers a robust and aesthetically pleasing solution for bicycle parking, seamlessly integrating security with urban greening. Designed to accommodate 2 bicycles, the PlantLock has dimensions of L900 W400 H520 (mm). The planter top edge stands at a comfortable 400mm height. When filled, the PlantLock weighs in excess of 75kg/165lbs, providing substantial weight for security, and even more when wet after rainfall or watering. For permanent installations, fixing holes are incorporated into the base for ground anchoring.
Constructed from steel, the planter body is paired with formidable 19mm solid boron steel round locking bars. These bars are case hardened and tempered, achieving a level of robustness that surpasses nearly all commercially available bicycle locks. See the Strengthtest video for a visual demonstration of its resilience. The PlantLock is finished with an active anti-corrosion coating and a durable polyester powder top-coat, ensuring longevity and resistance to the elements.
Unrivaled Security for Your Bicycles
PlantLock leverages its considerable weight when filled and super-tough locking bars to provide exceptional bicycle security. Cyclists utilize their own standard bicycle locks to secure their bikes to the integrated locking bars of the PlantLock. The strategic positioning of these bars is designed to encourage best security practices, allowing users to secure both wheels and the frame of their bicycle – a recommendation supported by Design Against Crime research.
For optimal security, consider these best practices: Position PlantLocks in well-illuminated areas that are easily visible to building occupants or passersby. Avoid placement in blind spots or areas obscured by trees or hedges. It is also highly recommended to use high-quality bicycle locks, ideally two of differing types for layered security. For maximum protection, ensure both the bicycle frame and both wheels are secured to the PlantLock’s locking bars.
While the PlantLock’s weight typically provides sufficient security without bolting, it can be easily and discreetly fixed to the ground without the need for extensive digging or concrete work. As a truly ‘Immovable Object’, securing your bicycles to a PlantLock may qualify them for coverage under certain bicycle and home insurance policies.
Planting Guide: Cultivating Beauty and Biodiversity
PlantLocks are versatile planters, adaptable to a wide range of planting schemes, from vibrant floral displays to productive herb gardens. Successful PlantLock plantings have included everything from strawberries and flowering crab apple trees to fragrant lavender and culinary herbs.
Autumn is the ideal season for planting bulbs that will bring early year color, such as crocus, grape hyacinth, and snowdrops. Spring and summer months offer endless possibilities with annual flowers, perennials, and kitchen herbs like thyme, marjoram, and tarragon.
Enhancing Biodiversity: For those seeking to support local ecosystems, PlantLocks can become havens for pollinators. Nearly all flowering plants provide nectar for insects. However, to specifically attract butterflies, hoverflies, and bees, consider planting native flowers. These provide crucial food sources and habitats, particularly valuable in urban environments where they may be scarce. A wildflower seed mix, including varieties like birds foot trefoil, fox and cubs, yellow horned poppy, small scabious, greater knapweed, and cornflowers, is an excellent choice. Keep in mind that these types of plants may require watering during dry periods and, as annuals, will naturally die back in autumn, requiring replanting for continued seasonal interest.
Low Maintenance, Drought-Tolerant Options: For year-round greenery with minimal upkeep, Hebes are an excellent choice. These delicate-looking yet robust shrubs are evergreen with a dwarf growth habit. Varieties like Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’, Hebe Pascal (which displays reddish leaves in winter), and Hebe ‘Carl Teschner’ (with a more sprawling growth) offer varied textures and seasonal interest.
Rainfall-Only Planting (Minimal Attention Required): For the lowest maintenance planting scheme, consider Sedums. These hardy, evergreen plants feature succulent, water-storing leaves, making them exceptionally drought-tolerant. Often used for green roofs, Sedums thrive in poor, free-draining soil conditions. They are available as small seedling plugs or pre-grown seedling mats for easy installation. Suitable Sedum varieties for PlantLock and the UK climate include Sedum acre, album, album ‘Athoum’ and ‘coral carpet’, ‘spurium tricolour’, ‘fuldaglut’, and ‘green mantle’, sarmentosum, sexangulare, and ewersii. A pre-mixed ‘green roof sedum mix’ is often readily available. For optimal drainage, use a planting mix of compost, sharp sand, and crushed aggregate or gravel. Until plants are established, some watering may be needed during prolonged dry spells.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors are PlantLocks available in?
Our standard PlantLocks are stocked in two colors: “Dark Mulberry Red” (RAL 3005) and “Spring Forest Green” (RAL 6025). Both of these colors have been carefully selected to complement a wide variety of plantings and maintain an attractive appearance over time. While we can accommodate special color requests for PlantLocks, please note that custom colors can be more expensive, especially for small orders.
How do I fill my PlantLock planter?
Our recommended filling method is to start with a drainage layer at the bottom of the planter using approximately a 25kg bag of 20mm gravel. Then, top this with about two 60-70 litre bags of compost, ideally peat-free. However, you can adjust the soil/compost mix to best suit the specific plants you intend to grow. A more detailed filling and planting guide is included as a leaflet with each PlantLock purchase.
Do you sell bicycle locks?
We do not currently sell bicycle locks ourselves. However, we strongly advise using two locks to secure your bicycle to a PlantLock. We recommend locking each wheel to the frame and then to the PlantLock itself. A combination of a high-quality D-Lock and a curly cable lock is often a very effective deterrent. The majority of bike theft is opportunistic, and thieves are less likely to carry tools to defeat multiple lock types. For excellent advice on bicycle security, we recommend visiting Carl’s guide at BestBikeLock.
