You can always make your planter larger or smaller depending on your needs. For example, if someone in a wheelchair will be using the box, keep it small for easier access—e. g. , no wider than 3 feet (0. 91 m) for an adult or 2 feet (0. 61 m) for a child. On the other hand, you can go longer or wider if you want a large walk-up vegetable garden for your deck.
You may need to re-draw your line on top of the tape so you know exactly where to cut.
To get a smooth cut, look for a carbide-tipped blade. You may even be able to find a blade that’s labeled for use with plywood. Set the better side of the board face-down for smoother, easier cutting. Always wear safety goggles when using an electric saw! You might also wish to wear ear plugs and a dust mask. [4] X Research source If you don’t have a circular saw, a table saw or a high-quality hand saw will also work.
For instance, if you’re making a planter that’s 3 feet (0. 91 m) long, the long side pieces should each be 3 feet (0. 91 m) long. A circular saw will work best for making this kind of cut, but you can use a good handsaw if a circular saw isn’t available. Put the board on a stable surface, such as a sawhorse.
For a planter that’s 2 feet (0. 61 m) wide, make the short pieces about 22. 5 inches (57 cm) long.
You can also mark the spots where you want to drill with a piece of painter’s tape. If possible, use a clamp to hold the boards in place on a work bench or table while you drill them. This will add extra stability.
You should now have a small, box-shaped frame that will fit perfectly on top of the planter box base! In addition to wood glue, a couple of wide bar clamps will also help hold the frame together while you put in the screws.
To help secure the base in position while you drill it, add some wood glue to the outer edges of the base board before setting it on the frame. If you don’t have a drill driver or electric screwdriver, drill some pilot holes in the base and frame before putting in the screws.
You can purchase simple metal corner support brackets at any hardware store. They often come with their own screws.
Skip the legs altogether or make them much shorter if you plan to put the planter on a table or other elevated surface. To make the planter box wheelchair accessible, aim for a height of around 24 inches (61 cm).
So, to make legs that will be 36 inches (91 cm) after the planter is assembled, cut 8 pieces that are 46 inches (120 cm) long. Depending on how long you need the legs to be, you will need 3-4 boards, each about 8 feet (2. 4 m) long, for this.
If you prefer not to let the screws show, drive in the screws from the inside of the planter box instead of through the outside of the legs.
Fitting together 2 pieces like this will create a much more stable design than using a single board for each leg.
For example, for your 2 by 3 ft (0. 61 by 0. 91 m) planter box, the long pieces would be 3 feet (0. 91 m) each, while the short sides would be 22. 5 inches (57 cm) each.
The outer edges of these boards should be flush with the outer edges of the legs at each corner. Just like with the frame pieces, the ends of the shorter boards should fit between the ends of the longer ones rather than overlapping them.
This ledge will help prevent soil from spilling out over the edges of the frame.
Make sure the outer edges of the short and long boards in this top layer are flush with each other.
Your basic planter box is now complete!
Sanding blocks are easier to use for this kind of work than a loose sheet of sandpaper. If you don’t have a sanding block, just wrap a piece of sandpaper around any small, rectangular piece of wood to make your own. Use a medium-grit sandpaper, in the 60- to 100-grit range. [23] X Research source If you plan to paint or stain the wood, go over it again with a finer-grained sandpaper, such as 120- to 220-grit.
You can prevent soil from draining through the holes by adding a fabric lining or pouring a layer of gravel over the bottom of the planter box.
To give the wood a natural glow and help protect it from moisture, rub in a little raw linseed oil. [25] X Research source Make sure you use raw oil, as boiled linseed oil is sometimes mixed with synthetic solvents. [26] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source
Use nails or a staple gun to fasten the edges of the liner in place inside your planter box.
