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

Written by Mindi

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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!

This DIY elevated planter box is raised up off the ground, so you can have your fresh foods AND save your back and knees this summer!

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.

other optional featured image of planter with legs, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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:

Dimensions for Elevated Planter Box, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

DIY Elevated Planter Box
by Mylove2Create

 This post may contain some affiliate links. Please see our full privacy policy and disclosure here.

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)

wood before, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

wood cut for planter box, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

building sides of planter box with legs, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

adding long boards with pocket hole screws, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

planter box frame built, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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

add slat supports, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

adding slats to garden bed, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

adding hardware cloth, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

top trim for planter box, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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!

close up of strawberry plants in planter, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

full front of elevated planter box, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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

side view of planter on legs, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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!

Top view of elevated planter box, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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.

planter with strawberry sign, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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

strawberry plants in DIY planter, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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

top front view of elevated strawberry planter, MyLove2Create for Remodelaholic

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 Raised Garden Bed

DIY custom raised garden boxes
custom raised garden boxes

build a tall wooden planter
How to Build a Tall Wooden Planter with metal screw accents

indoor and outdoor planters
25 DIY Planters for Indoors and Outdoors via Remodelaholic

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

Vegetable Garden Arbor DIY Plans-49

C

 

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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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Comments

  1. Krafty Fix says

    July 14, 2016 at 12:45 am

    Just the job! Is there a knack to drilling those ‘pocket’ holes? I have visions of getting the angle wrong and either getting to close, or going right through the other side!

    Reply
    • James says

      May 20, 2017 at 12:04 pm

      Use a pocket hole jig!
      Cheap and easy!!!!!

      Reply
  2. Murat Tosun Sutunc says

    March 5, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Doesn’t the bottom wood rot fast and easily, and you have to empty it all to fix just one plank. It seems to be improved…any ideas people?

    Reply
    • Ron says

      May 3, 2019 at 11:07 pm

      Most of the big box home improvement stores carry ground contact lumber now. One of them uses a color coded system for their exterior wood products. Green is approved for outdoor use and brown is approved for ground contact. Not anymore expensive than the typical green tinted exterior wood. I know I’m a couple days late with this comment but I didn’t see this article until now !

      Reply
  3. Kim says

    May 16, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    What did you line the box with before adding soil?

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    April 10, 2020 at 10:11 am

    If you used untreated lumber, how long has the box lasted?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      April 10, 2020 at 8:39 pm

      I have a box I built out of douglas fir back in 2013 that is starting to rot where it constantly has water on it. So I would say 7 to 10 years depending on your climate.

      Reply

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