Everyone has their own preferred medium when it comes to crafting, but sometimes it’s fun to try something new for a change. Although I’m usually a big fan of creating collages out of pages I find in magazines, I’ve been on a woodworking kick lately and have been really enjoying learning how to make creative projects out of wood. It turns out it’s quite easy to work wood, even without any training. One of my first real projects was a birdhouse that was a big hit, so this week I’m continuing on the outdoor trend and making a raised planter box. This simple project uses basic woodworking tools and gives you a box you can use to plant just about anything.
Materials and supplies needed:
- Cedar or redwood, 1-inch by 12-inch by 8-foot piece (or two 1-inch by 12-inch by 4-foot pieces)
- Hand saw
- Hammer
- 40 2-inch galvanized nails
- Power drill, and a screwdriver attachment
- Four 2-inch by 2-inch by 2-foot pieces of wood
- Four 3-inch wood screws
Step 1: Use a little elbow grease
You’ll need to cut your long piece of wood into smaller pieces for the parts of the project. Use a hand saw to cut the wood into three pieces that are each 2 feet long, along with two pieces that are 1 foot long. The three pieces will be the bottom and long sides of the planter, and the shorter pieces will go on the ends.
Step 2: Keep your thumb green, not red
Use a hammer and nails to construct the bed of the planter. Stand the two longer pieces upright and lay the shorter pieces of the planter across them. Hammer a nail every 4 inches or so along both sides. Turn the planter so it’s on its end and hammer on one of the end panels, again with a nail every 4 inches. Repeat with the other end panel.
Step 3: Give your plants room to breathe
Planter boxes need to have drainage at the bottom so the soil doesn’t get too wet, which can drown many types of plants. Put a 1/2-inch bit on your power drill and create two rows of holes along the bottom of your planter, leaving about 6 inches between each hole.
Step 4: Raise the bar (well, really the planter)
Although you can set your planter on the ground, it won’t drain very well. So you’ll want to add legs. Position one of the 2-by-2 legs under each corner and use a power drill with a screwdriver attachment to put a long screw down into each leg from inside the planter box.
Now that you’re finished with your planter, it’s time to put it to use and grow something. Some low-maintenance options include herbs, gourmet lettuce or summer flowers in your favorite color. Make sure your planter is in a sunny spot so the plants will grow, and enjoy the fruits of your handiwork!
Danielle, who blogs on behalf of Sears and other prestigious brands, enjoys practicing her woodworking skills by making beautiful things to put in her yard. Read her work at eatbreatheblog.com.
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net