Building a window planter box not only shows off your wood working skills, but also lets everyone see your gardening skills as well. It’s an easy project with the right tools and advice. This article outlines the details and gives tips to creating the perfect display for your flowers or vegetables.
The most difficult part of this project is cutting the bevels and angle pieces which make up the sides and front of the box. Using a table saw will make it much easier, but if you don’t have access to one, then a circular saw with a guide will do just fine as long as you have a steady hand.
With a miter box or circular saw, cross cut a 1×6 to 16 inches. The sides are smaller than this, but it will make it safer to cut on a table saw or with the circular saw. Now with the table saw, rip a 2×6 down to 4 ½ inches wide. Use a push stick to prevent your hands from getting to close to the table saw.
From right to left on the front of the board, make a mark 4 ½ inches and at 10 ½ inches. From right to left on the back of the board, the part facing you, make a mark at 6 inches and also at 10 ½. Square the 10 ½ inch mark across the board and connect the 4 ½ inches and 6 inches to make an angled line. Cut on the marks with a circular saw. Repeat this step again. These are the sides of your box.
Cut three 1×6’s to a length of 36 inches. If you want a longer or shorter widow box, then cut to any length you wish, but since dirt is heavy, you probably shouldn’t go over 4 feet long. Take one of these boards and set your table saw to rip at 4 ½ inches. Using a T-bevel, place one of the boards against the side of the angled side pieces you cut earlier, and make a mark so you transfer the angle cut from your side to the other board. Now align you table saws blade with the angle you made and make your rip.
This piece you just ripped down to 4 ½ inches will be the bottom piece. Pre drill two holes in each end and attach with spiral shank galvanized 6d nails. Make sure the bevel on the bottom board lines up with the angle on the side piece and attach them flush. Align the front board and the back flush with the bottom piece. Attach with the spiral ring shank nails. Now you have a window box.
Drill several small holes in the bottom to allow for drainage. ½ inch to ¼ inch should be sufficient. Line the bottom of the planter window box with 5 mil or greater plastic to help prevent water rot to the wood. You then need to poke holes into the plastic where you previously drilled before. Secure the plastic with a few staples or thumbtacks.
You can attach to your window sill using three, 3 inch tapcons if you have a concrete wall, periling for the screws. Or if you have a wooden frame sill, attach using 3 ½ inch decking screws or lag bolts, pre-drilling to prevent splitting the wood. With any luck, you should have a great looking window planter box to show off your carpentry skills and gardening know how!
