With spring right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about all of those outdoor projects that are going to make your backyard into an oasis. One of those projects might be adding more planters with flowers to your deck, patio, or backyard in general. These DIY planter box plans will show you how easy it is to build your own planter boxes with just a few simple tools.
Materials Required
- 1 – 1×6 deck board @ 10′
- 1 – 1×3 @ 8′
- 1 – 1×2 @ 8′
- 2 – 1×2 @ 6′
- Landscape fabric
Tools Needed
- Table saw or circular saw
- Nail gun
- 1 1/4″ nails
- Sander & sandpaper
Step 1: Cut your wall boards
We’ll start these DIY planter box plans by cutting the wall boards to length. We designed these plans to use 5/4″ thick deck boards for these plans since that’s what we happened to have laying around after doing some deck work. You can use a standard 1x6s, but your measurements will be slightly different (about a 1/2″ shorter) for the side molding since 1x6s are only 3/4″ thick. Cut all ten pieces to 10″ in length. If you want to make the entire box from a single 8′ board instead of a 10′ board, just reduce the pieces to 9 1/2″ long.
Step 2: Add the trim
Next we’re going to cut and add trim, which will actually hold the planter box together. Cut four 1×2 boards to 18″ long, with 45%deg; miters on each end. Then cut four more 1×2 boards to 15″ long with 45° miters on each end. Remember, if you used 1x6s instead of 5/4″ thick deck boards you will need to cut the 15″ trim boards at 14 1/2″ instead.
Step 3: Add supports and false bottom
Next up on these planter box plans is to add the false bottom. Start by gluing and nailing a 14″ piece of 1×2 onto the inside of each long side, 6″ down from the top. Once the shelf supports are in place, add seven pieces of 1×2, spaced roughly 1/2″ – 3/4″ apart across the supports. Nail these supports in place.
Step 4: Add landscape fabric and top
In order for the dirt to not just fall through the gaps between the slats, you need to add some landscape fabric. Lay an oversized piece in your planter box, and wrap the edges over the top. We’ll hold it in place with the top trim boards, and then trim off the excess.
The top trim boards are made from 1x3s, and are desigened to overhang 1/4″ on both the inside and the outside in these planter box plans. Cut all four pieces and then use wood glue and your finish nailer to secure them together into a frame. Then nail onto the planter box.
Step 5: Add feet to your planter box
The last part in these planter box plans are the feet to raise it off of the ground. To make these, just cut 2 1/2″ pieces off of the excess of the 1×3 you used for the top in the previous step. Then glue and nail them to the bottom of the planter, inset 1/2″ from each edge to provide a nice shadow line.
Step 6: Sand, paint or stain
Time for the finishing touches on your new planter box. Use at least 120 grit sandpaper to sand the entire piece. Then finish with a few coats of stain or your favorite exterior grade paint. Now it’s time to enjoy.
If you have any questions or comments about these DIY planter box plans, leave us a note in the comments section below.
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