Tools and Materials

Note

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Instructions

Building a raised planter box is like adding a flower bed to your patio. A raised planter makes it easier to care for plants and can act as a privacy screen for your outdoor space.

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Build the Base

Cut pressure-treated 4 x 4s for the six legs (A) (Project Diagram, Cutting Diagram and Cutting List). Apply a solid-color deck stain to the lower 15 inches of the 4 x 4 legs and allow the stain to dry (Project Diagram, Drawing 1). Cut the cedar 1 x 2s for the lower slats (H), lower end slats (I), and the door parts (N, O, and P). Lightly sand the parts, focusing on the corners and edges, to remove any splinters. Preparing and applying stain to these parts now will make for a speedier assembly later. Set the parts aside and allow the finish to dry.

Good to Know

Why is pressure-treated lumber wet? Boards are cut to size and dried at the mill. The dry lumber is placed in a large vessel similar to a pressure cooker and the preservative is added. Under pressure, chemicals are forced inside the dry wood. When working with wet treated lumber, allow the treated boards to dry for a week before applying the stain. Stain doesn't trap the remaining moisture inside the lumber like paint, which would blister and peel. For painted finishes, allow the wood to dry for approximately one month.

Cut the plywood front/back panels (E) to size, measuring for the actual length and set aside.

Good to Know

Construction materials have slight variations - that's always a dilemma when building a woodworking project. Once you start, always measure for the exact size of the parts that follow. Parts that were meant to be a specific dimension may come up short or long, and then you have to recut the part, make another one, or leave an unsightly gap.

Add the center legs to the assembly. If you stand the case up on four legs, you can rest the middle legs on the floor to ensure all six legs will touch the floor evenly. Cut the two hinge rails (F) to fit between the legs and secure them to the rails with 3-inch deck screws. The bottom of the hinge rail and the bottoms of the rails (C) are flush. The side of the planter with the hinge rails will become the back of the cabinet where the doors will be located.

Add the Trim

Check the end position of the slats, and create the gaps with a spacer.

Retrieve the lower slats (H) and lower end slats (I). Secure the slats to the lower portion of the legs (Project Diagram, Drawing 4 and Drawing 5). There should be a 1-inch space from the end of the slats to the outside face of each leg. Start with the slat closest to the plywood panels (D) and (E). Space the slat 3/4 inch down from the plywood using a scrap of wood to create an even 3/4-inch gap. Then add the remaining slats using the spacer scrap to keep the parts aligned (Photo 7). Check the space at each end of the slats as you proceed to be sure the slats are even on each end. When the front slats are installed, repeat at each end for the lower end slats.

Caution

Wear a dust mask and eye protection when sanding or cutting wood. You may need hearing protection when using some power tools.

Make the Doors

Door cleats are secured to the slats with screws.

Retrieve the door parts (N, O, and P). Attach the door slats (N) to the door cleats (O) with stainless-steel screws (Project Diagram, Drawing 6). Note that the doors have a different offset for the cleats. The smaller overhang goes toward the center leg, and the larger overhang is on the end closer to the outside legs. Use a square to help keep the doors aligned properly and a spacer to keep the gaps even (Photo 9).

After the plastic is secure, run a utility knife across the bottom between the two center slats -- this will give the water a place to escape. To keep the dirt from running out the opening you just cut, add two layers of landscape fabric to the bottom of the planter, folding it up the sides and secure with staples.

GoodToKnow

As wood decays over time, it can become toxic to plants, always add a plastic liner to wood planters.

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Raised Patio Planter Box

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Instructions

Build the Base

Add the Trim

Make the Doors

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