Workbench Ideas

How to Build Wooden Planter Boxes

Patio gardening has become a popular hobby, motivating many homeowners to create a fabulous outdoor décor by building a few planter boxes. It is a simple woodworking project that can be completed in an afternoon.

You can use cedar, pine or pressure treated lumber to construct your planter boxes, each type of wood offering a different look. To build a box approximately 24” tall, you will need the materials listed below and a few simple tools.

Materials
1 – 4x4x8ft. piece of wood
2 – 5/4x6x16ft.
8 – 1x6x5ft.
1 – 1x6x4ft.
1 – 2x2x8ft.
1 to 2 lbs of #8 x 3” deck screws
1 to 2 lbs of #8 x 2.5” deck screws
Staples and finishing nails
Landscape fabric or tar

Instructions

Step 1 – Cutting
Use your table saw to crosscut the wood as follows:

Cut the 1x6x5ft. boards into thirds to create twenty-four 20” long pieces

Rip the 1x6x4ft. piece in half, creating two pieces 2 1/4" wide and cut them both at the 32” mark, creating two 32” pieces and two 16” pieces.

Cut the 4x4 lumber in quarters to create four 24” long pieces

Cut the 5/4x6ft. boards to create eight 32” long pieces and eight 16” long pieces.

Cut the 2x2 piece into two 32” long and two 16” long pieces.

For easy handling, sort the lumber into same-sized piles.

Step 2 – Pre-drilling
Use your tape measure to mark the 4x4’s at the following spots:

1” in from the edge x 2 1/4” down from the end;

1” in x 6” down from the same end;

1” in x 6 1/4" down from the opposite end; and

1” in x 2 1/4" down from the opposite end.

Use your drill press to create holes 3/8” wide x 1 3/4" deep in each 4x4 piece of wood at the marked spots. This will allow your 3” screws to be countersunk into the lumber, producing a smooth finish. Alternatively, you can use 5” long screws and skip this step.

Step 3 – Side Walls
Lay out one piece of 5/4x6x32” long horizontally. On top of that piece and running vertically, lay out six pieces 1x6x20” long. Using 2.5” deck screws, attach one piece of 5/4x6x32” horizontally on top to make a sandwich – 5/4x6 boards on the outside and 1x6 boards in the middle. Create another sandwich on the other end of the 1x6 board. This makes up the side of your planter box. Repeat this step to build the opposite side.

Step 4 – End Walls
To build the ends of your box, use the same method described in Step 4 with the piece 5/4x6x16” long and three pieces of 1x6x20”. In both the side and end walls, you should space out the boards uniformly to produce an even finish.

Step 5– Attach Legs
Use the 3” deck screws in the pre-drilled holes to attach the side and end walls to the legs, forming a rectangle.

Step 6 – Flooring
Fit the 2x2x32” at the bottom of the box in the interior of the side walls and attach with 3” screws. Do the same with the 2x2x16” pieces on the end walls and attach. Using the remaining six 1x6x20” pieces, trim and fit along the bottom of the flower box at about 1/2” spacing, using the 2x2 as a frame. Attach from the top using the 2.5” screws.

Step 7 – Top Trim
Attach the 2 1/4” wide trim pieces to the tops of the walls with 2.5” or shorter deck screws.

Step 8 – Lining
Cut to size and attach the landscape fabric or tarp with staples or finishing nails to the interior of your planter boxes. This lining will not only keep the soil from seeping out of the boxes, but will also provide some insulation for your plants.

Step 9 – The Finishing Touch
Sand the planter boxes until all the edges are smooth and apply a stain for a natural look, or paint them to suit your taste. You can add decorative post caps or stencil designs on the sides for a personal touch. You can now expect your beautiful patio to become a regular meeting place and an interesting topic of conversation.

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