How to Make a Planter Box

Whether you’ve got a lot of land or a small patio for a backyard, gardening doesn’t require a lot of space. This DIY planter box is a fun project and can be moved anywhere – making it a great garden, no matter what your yard looks like!

Materials:

For the FRAME

• Wood Pieces (we used reclaimed wood, but all of these materials can be purchased at home improvement stores)
• 2”x 2” wood pieces, you will need the following lengths:
• 33” – quantity 4
• 16.5” – quanity 4
• 11” – quantity 4

For the FRONT & SIDES

• 37”x 4.5” wooden slats – quanity 6 (this makes the front and back of the planter box)
• 13.75” x 4.5” wooden slats – quantity 6 (this makes the sides of the planter box)

For the interior BOTTOM

• 13.75 x 4.5” wooden slats – quantity 9 (this makes the bottom of the planter box)

Other

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Framing square
• 1 small box 3” exterior screws
• 1 small box 1 ¾” exterior galvanized nails
• Hammer
• Cordless Drill

Directions:

1. Gather materials.
2.  Assemble frame using exterior screws. Building tip: pre-drill the holes before screwing pieces together to avoid wood splitting.
3. Assemble both sides of frame, finished frame measurements are as follows: side pieces – 16.5” high including 3” for feet. The total width after assembly is 14” wide.
4. Once side frames are complete attached 4 – 36” 2×2 to complete frame assembly. Make sure that when predrilling holes to not hit existing screws.
5. Build the front of planter box by attaching 37”x 4.5” wooden slats to the front of the planter frame using exterior galvanized nails.
6. Build the sides of the planter by attaching 13.75” x 4.5” wooden slats to the sides of planter box using exterior galvanized nails.
7. Place wooden bottom slats inside planter box to form the bottom of the box. Leave ¼” inch between slats to allow for drainage. Secure each wood piece with one small nail per board.
8. Fill with potting soil!

Tutorial and Photography by Heather Kinkel