DIY Wood Planter Boxes

Have you noticed that plants and flowers look super vibrant in wood planters?  Maybe it's the combination of natural elements working together - the green plants, warmth of the wood, and the texture of the compost/mulch, all highlighted by the burst of color from the flowering plants.  And, planter boxes are surprisingly easy to make ....




For this project, we used salvaged pressure-treated fence boards from our stockpile.  Along with being pressure-treated, they have been out in the elements for quite some time and are naturally weathered.



To begin, we bought black plastic rectangular planters (similar to the one below) to use as liners - two for each wood planter.  We found them at Home Depot for $10 each and they are 24" long.


Assembling the wood planter boxes was super easy - they are basically a topless box with an open framed bottom. 

We started with the two ends made with 2x4's as supports.  



Then attached the long horizontal boards and 2x4's to the bottom to support the black liners, turning the planter upside down to determine the placement of the supports.



To serve as "feet," we attached 2x4's to the underside of the planter, allowing the 2x4 to extend beyond the bottom of the planter.   Everything was secured with long decking screws.





A light dry brushing with Minwax Jacobean wood stain on the cut ends was all it took to make the fresh cuts look old and weathered.





These two planters are now on the patio of our oldest son's home.  He has a major green thumb (it skipped a generation!) and the planters are filled with beautiful, thriving plants!





The finished dimensions are over 4' long and 18" wide (each planter).    




Hubby and I really enjoyed making these with materials we already had on hand.  Was a great way to spend a sunny Saturday in our "workshop" (a.k.a. garage)!   




Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!  



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7 comments:

  1. What a great project! So well made and they look lovely, too, especially when all planted up. Thank you for sharing the "how to"s.

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  2. Your planters look great Carolyn! Can't beat that price to make them either. Pinned to share 👍🏻

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  3. What a great idea! I love this. Thanks for sharing at My Flagstaff Home!

    Jennifer

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  4. That's a great idea!I want to actually get something similar done but in time for next winter to store hats, mitts, and scarves and make them distresses as I hate my makeshift boxes right now lol.

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  5. These are amazing! The hubs literally has a truck full of reclaimed wood that he got at work. I'm going to see if he can use them for this project. We have limited balcony space at our apartment so things like planters are a must so we can enjoy growing our own veggies and herbs in the summer months.

    I would love it if you would share this and more on my weekly link party : )

    http://www.twentysomethinginthe2010s.com/peace-love-linkup-005/

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  6. You did a wonderful job!
    Now the growing begins!
    Thanks for sharing this at Thoughts of Home-

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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  7. Thanks mom for my planters! All my neighbors compliment them and I have the best looking balcony around! I refer them to your blog to build their own. You're so talented!!! Love always, your oldest son! :)

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