How to Build Wooden Planter Boxes

Wooden planter boxes can be used throughout the garden for various different types of fruits, vegetables and plants. These wooden planter boxes are pretty costly to purchase from the garden supply store and they don’t always come in the size or shape that I desire so I like to build them myself now. Not only do I save tons of money by building my own wooden planter boxes but I get to make them the exact size that I want for my garden ideas. Here’s a look at how to build wooden planter boxes that are the perfect addition to a garden.

Wooden Planter Boxes Materials:

2 x 4s
2 x 6s
1 x 8 boards
Nails
Hammer
Saw

To Build Wooden Planter Boxes:

Begin by determining which size planter box you want to build. You can build large or small boxes and you can also build a series of large and small wooden planter boxes to create a dramatic look in the garden.

Using a 1 x 8 board, cut a board the length of the desired wooden planter box for your garden. I like to use large planter boxes that are square or rectangle shaped so the remaining instructions will be for how to build square wooden planter boxes. For a square planter box that is 4 feet you will need 4 boards of the same 4 foot length. Cut the 1 x 8 board into 4 equal four foot pieces to build the box.

You also need to cut equal length 2 x 4s to be nailed to the 1 x 8s. Using the nails, nail along the bottom of the 1 x 8 boards the matching length 2 x 4 boards to create a base for the wooden planter boxes to have bottoms attached to.

Once you have nailed the 2 x 4s to the 1 x 8s you can begin building the wooden planter boxes. Nail together two 1 x 8s to form an L-shape. Do this two times and then nail the two L-shapes together to form a square wooden planter box.

Attach 2 x 6 boards along the bottom of the box running across the entire bottom. These will be nailed to the 2 x 4s to create a bottom of the wooden planter box. For open wooden planter boxes there is no need to attach 2 x 4s or these 2 x 6s to the bottom.

Leave some open space in between the 2 x 6s on the bottom of the box to create a drainage area. For each board that you attach, leave about 1 inch in between that board and the next board so that there is plenty of drainage available for the plants once they are in the wooden planter boxes.

Place the wooden planter boxes in the desired locations throughout your garden and fill with compost, potting soil or fill dirt. Plant plants in the wooden planter boxes and enjoy!