Make a Planter Bench

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1. Glue four of the 24 1/2" long 1x6 pieces together for the front panel and four for the rear panel. After the glue cures, cut the panels to 24"x22".

2. Glue four of the 23" long 1x6 pieces together for the left side panel and four for the right side panel. After the glue cures, cut the panels to 22 1/2"x22".

3. Glue five of the the 23 1/2" long 1x6 pieces together to make the box's floor panel. After the glue cures, cut the panel to 22 1/2"x22 1/2".

4. Prepare a second set of panels using steps 1 through 3. You should have four front and rear panels, four side panels and two floor panels.

Use 3/4"x3/4" strips and screws to secure the panels.

1. Secure two 15" long 3/4"x3/4" strips to the inside face of the front panel. The strips should be positioned 3/4" in from each end of the panel, with the top end of the strip 2" below the panel's top edge. Drive the screws through the strips into the panel so they aren't visible from the box's exterior. Secure strips to the back panel in the same manner.

2. Secure the side panels by driving screws through the 3/4"x3/4" strips on the front and back panels into the inside faces of the side panels.

3. Construct the second box in the same manner.

Use 21" long 3/4"x3/4" strips to support the floor.

1. Position the floor panel inside the box.

2. Install a 21" long 3/4"x3/4" strip on the inside face of the front panel. Position the strip so it is centered from left to right on the panel with its bottom edge 1/4" up from the panel's bottom edge. Install a 21" long 3/4"x3/4" strip on the back panel in the same manner. Screw through the floor panel into the 21" long strips to secure the floor panel in place.

3. Bore several 1/4" holes in the floor for drainage. Place a piece of screen over the floor to keep your planting medium from falling through the holes.

4. Install the second floor panel in the same manner.

Underside of seat frame.

1. Counterbore through the faces of the interior long aprons and screw the long aprons to the short aprons. The ends of the long aprons should be flush with the outside faces of the short aprons.

2. Check the base for square and adjust as needed.

3. Measure from left to right on the long aprons and mark each apron at 10", 20" and 30". Counterbore two holes in the aprons at each mark. Position a bench support centered on each mark and screw the aprons to the supports with 1 1/4" screws.

4. Face glue the exterior long aprons to the outside of the interior long aprons to hide the screws. Drive screws through the interior long aprons into the exterior long aprons for added holding power.

1. Place the two outside seat slats on top of the base. The outside edges of the slats should be flush with the front and back of the seat frame.

2. Glue the front and rear slats in place. Use finish nails to hold the slats while the glue dries.

3. Glue and nail the rest of the top slats in place, evenly spaced between the two outside slats.

1. Bore two 1/4" diameter holes through the short aprons on the seat frame. Locate the the holes 4" in from each end of the short aprons.

2. Position the seat so its top is 1" down from the top of each planter box and mark the boxes for 1/4" holes to match the ones in the the seat frame. Bore holes in the planter boxes.

3. Use 1/4"x3" carriage bolts to secure the the bench to the planter boxes.

You can paint or stain the bench with any exterior grade finish. If you prefer to use a clear-coat, one of the best exterior, protective finishes for a project like this is exterior varnish. Varnish provides an excellent protective film for any surface that is used heavily or exposed to the elements. It flows well and has a relatively long curing time so it has time to self-level. With its above-average leveling qualities you can easily achieve a professional finish with varnish.