Gardening enthusiasts are always looking for ways to spruce up their green spaces. One easy DIY project that adds charm is building your own planter boxes.
With the right materials and a little carpentry skill, you can create custom planter boxes perfect for your patio, porch, or yard. In this guide, we’ll explore different design options using lattice, trellis, and other materials.
Benefits of DIY Planter Boxes
Constructing your own planter boxes has many advantages:
- Customize sizes perfectly for the space
- Match your unique style with paint or stain colors
- Save money compared to purchasing pre-made planters
- Make use of recycled wood and other scrap materials
- Add decorative touches like lattice and trellis inserts
- Fun weekend DIY project using basic tools and skills
- Tailor planter boxes to specific plants and lighting conditions
Building planters yourself lets you create the ideal vessels for your flowers, veggies, or herbs.
Planter Box Materials and Construction
For the frame, 3/4-inch plywood or 2x lumber are common choices. Opt for rot-resistant cedar or redwood if using wood.
Metal brackets on the corners help reinforce the shape. Make sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom before assembling.
Lining the inside with landscape fabric helps contain the soil while allowing drainage. A liner also protects the wood from moisture damage.
For elevated planter boxes, attach legs or casters to the bottom for easy mobility. Add wheels to larger boxes so you can move them around your yard.
Incorporating Trellis and Lattice
Adding a trellis insert is a gorgeous way to incorporate climbing vines or trailing plants. You can build a trellis from 1×2 furring strips or other thin lumber.
Cut the pieces to size and assemble into a lattice pattern inside the planter box frame. This adds beautiful texture perfect for climbers like beans, cucumbers, or morning glories.
For a more open and airy feel, use ready-made vinyl lattice panels. Just cut to fit and secure inside the sides of the planter box with adhesive and/or screws.
Paint the lattice a fun color to make the planter really pop. Try light blue, mint green, or even metallic gold spray paint.
Hanging Planter Boxes
Create vertical gardening space with hanging planter boxes on walls, fences, or railings. Make a simple box from 1x lumber, leaving one side open for easy planting access.
Add lattice or trellis panels along the backside for plants to climb up. Install heavy-duty hooks on the back of the box to hang securely in place.
For smaller spaces, use a set of old wooden crates or even plastic buckets. Drill drainage holes in the bottom and attach hooks to hang along a balcony or porch.
Elevated Planter Boxes on Legs
Elevated planters are great for yard paths, patios, or along foundations. They provide planting space without taking up ground footage.
Build short planter boxes, then attach legs made from 2x4s, dowels, or 4×4 posts. This raises the soil level closer to eye view for easier access and care.
Add wheels or casters to the bottom of the legs so you can move the planters around seasonally for sunlight exposure.
Using Recycled Materials
Don’t forget to check construction sites, salvage yards, and online classifieds for used materials when building planter boxes.
Old pallets make perfect ready-made sides for small planters. Just remove a few slats for drainage. Stain them or leave the weathered wood patina.
Reclaimed barn wood has gorgeous worn textures. Use the boards to construct rustic, charming planter boxes.
Repurposed items like old dressers, cabinets, or drawers also function great as unique planters. Just line them with a plastic liner before filling with soil.
Fun Painted Planter Box Ideas
Paint adds personality to DIY planter boxes. Try these creative color ideas:
- Chalkboard paint – use liquid chalk markers for fun messages
- Metallic gold or silver – glamorous and eye-catching
- Ombre blend – transition from light to dark color
- Faux wood grain – make inexpensive plywood look like rich wood
- Blackboard paint with chalk – great for kids’ gardens
- Vintage distressed hues – chippy, timeworn character
Stencils, patterns, and different colors on each side also help customize planter boxes.
Decorative Touches
Beyond paint, you can embellish basic planter boxes with trimwork, hardware, and other decorative accents:
- Attractive corner trim or molding
- Casters with pretty metal wheels
- Vintage door hinges as corner braces
- Wood appliques along the top edges
- Faux shutters attached to the sides
- Sunburst mirror inserts or tiles for reflectivity
Let your creativity run wild to design one-of-a-kind planter boxes!
Get Inspired and Start Building
With so many possibilities, it’s easy to create DIY planter boxes that enhance your landscape with personalized charm.
Hopefully these ideas using lattice, trellis, and other unique materials have sparked inspiration for your next garden project. Just grab some scrap wood and tools, and let the creativity flow!
Citations:
[1] https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-planter-box-with-trellis/
[2] https://www.anikasdiylife.com/diy-lattice-planter-box/
[3] https://youtube.com/watch?v=OzIiGWY9rDc
[4] https://centsationalstyle.com/2022/02/diy-privacy-planter-trellis/
[5] https://youtube.com/watch?v=s3pOZE021CM
[6] http://www.workday.upenn.edu/http%3A%2F%2Famlongauhealth.tk/wor32GQqUen4/
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