Build an Elevated Planter Box (and save your back!)

Hello!  My name is Mindi and I blog at MyLove2Create, the last post I shared here was my DIY Antique Cutting Boards, today I am sharing my Elevated Planter Box!

Isn’t it so fun!?  I am so happy with it, and the fact that I won’t have to bend over to do my weeding…THAT is the biggest bonus!

Square version of an Elevated Garden Box

Here is square version of an elevated garden box, you can watch, if you are looking for something bigger and taller.

This is a very simple and sturdy build, and you can complete it in just one day, so if you don’t have plans for the weekend…this just might need to be your next project!  Speaking of projects…can you spy my Old Chairs into New Bench?  It is still one of my faves. 🙂

How to make your own Elevated Planter Box:

DIY Elevated Planter Box
by Mylove2Create

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Click here to get the printable building plans over at Mylove2Create

Supplies:

• 2- 2x4x8 boards
• 4- 1x2x8 boards
• 5- 1x6x8 boards
• Hardware cloth
• Pocket Hole Jig/and screws
• Circular Saw
• Drill/Driver
• Sander
• Nail Gun
• Staple Gun
• Wire cutters

Cut List:

• 4- 2×4’s @ 35” (legs)
• 4- 1×6’s @ 41” (front and back boards)
• 4- 1×6’s @ 21” (side boards)
• 2- 1×2’s @ 41” (slat support boards)
• 2- 1×2’s @ 21” (slat support boards)
• 6- 1×6’s @ 22” (inside slats)
• 2- 1×2’s @ 21” (side slats)
• 2- 1×2’s @ 48” long point to long point ends cut at 45 degrees, ends not parallel (top boards)
• 2- 1×2’s @ 24” long point to long point ends cut at 45 degrees, ends not parallel (top boards ends)

For my elevated planter box I was able to used scrap wood that I already had on hand, so I didn’t need to purchase any wood.  The 2×4’s actually came from my son’s wall that I tore out when I redid their bedroom, you can read all about it in my Teen Boys Bedroom Reveal.  The long 1×6 boards were given to me from my father-in-law when he helped a friend redo his deck.

Video of building the elevated planter box

Building Tutorial

Start by cutting your 2×4 legs to 35”, then cut the sides and front and back boards out of your 1×6’s.  You will need to cut the sides to 21” and the front and back boards to 41”.  Of course you can adjust the sizes to fit your needs.

Next, you will need to drill 3/4” pocket holes into each end of all 8 of the 1×6 boards.  You can see the top boards are flipped over revealing the pocket holes.  Also make sure to sand the wood before you build.

Start building, by attaching the sides to the legs as shown, using wood glue and 1 1/4” pocket hole screws.  Make sure your top board is flush with the top of the legs.  I used my Kreg Right angle Clamps to help secure my boards while I drilled in the screws.

Please note in the top photo you can see my 1×6 board resting on top of some 1×4 scrap wood.  I choose to use this to inset my boards slightly on the legs.  The scrap wood allows me to do it without measuring.  This is optional.

Next up I attached my long front and back boards.  I attached these the same way with wood glue and 1 1/4” pocket hole screws.

With one side done, I flipped it over and attached the other long boards to the legs.  It is coming together!

Now I needed to attach my inside slat support boards.  I used scrap wood, but in the cut list I listed 1×2’s — either will work, you just need to make sure they are all level if you use different sizes.  If you use 1×2’s place them flush with the very bottom 1×6 boards.  The screw them in place.  I also added a small scrap of 1×2 to support my 1×3 slats.

Next add the slats.  You can see on the ends I used some scrap 1×3 boards, In the cut list I say to use 1×2’s, either is fine.  Once the slats are evenly placed I nailed them into the support boards.

To help the soil from slipping through the cracks I added hardware cloth to the top of my slats.  I used some tough metal scissors, or wire cutters, to cut it to size.  Then I stapled it onto my slats.

At the last minute I decided it really needed a top, I don’t need anything topless in my yard! hee hee.  I would have preferred to use 1×3’s like I did on the top of my X Planters, but I didn’t have long enough scraps.  Since I had 1×2’s I used those instead.  They are flush to the edges of the legs, but that is ok, if you used 1×3’s you could have a nice little over hang.

I cut the ends at 45 degrees, and made them the length of the planter.  They measure 48” long point to long point for the front and back, and 24” for the sides.  Then I glued and nailed them on.  It really made the planter look more finished, so I am glad I decided to put the top on!

I added my soil and planted my strawberries, and that was it!!  Oh wait, I did add some newspaper on top of the hardware cloth, but I don’t think it is necessary, you could also put rocks on top of the hardware cloth as well.  I did purchase some potting soil, and strawberries. 🙂  I am guessing it would take about two of the largest bags of soil to fill this bad boy.  I used one large bag, and what I had left over from some almost empty bags, and a lot of soil from an old planter.

I love the contrasting colors of the wood.  Of course you can stain or paint your planter any color you choose.

Here is a side shot.  What you can’t see in this shot, is that it is raining outside, you can see my stones are wet though.  It poured ALL DAY LONG, and of course this was the only day I could build this, which is why I was in my kitchen most of the time!  Brrr!

You could plant so many things in this planter!  I am tempted to build a few more and put some herbs in one and some veggies in another!  I have never done strawberries, so I hope these do well, my kids are super excited…and me too.

I thought a fun sign would be perfect for the front, and I whipped this one up really quick.

I think it might need the word “fresh” in cursive on top…

Or maybe I will just leave it as is…who knows.

Regardless, I am loving it!!

Now get going and make yourself an awesome elevated planter box, save your back and knees this season!  Thanks for reading!

Hugs!
Mindi

More DIY planters:

Here is a bigger elevated garden bed for more space.

DIY custom raised garden boxes

build a tall wooden planter

indoor and outdoor planters

plus, doesn’t your garden just need a lovely arbor like this?

C

Published: July 6, 2016Filed Under: Build, Contributor, DIY, Gardening, How To Tagged: building plans, container garden, Garden, planter

About Mindi

I have a great love to DIY, repurpose, and create! I am constantly seeking to make things more useful, effective, and beautiful in my home one project at a time. My projects are done in tutorial form so I can inspire others to create too!
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