Don't let drab plastic planter pots drag down the colours of your backyard blooms. These quick and simple cedar planters offer an alternative. They replace those ugly nursery-grade containers that plants come in, and can be made to straddle whatever thickness of deck or fence you have at home. If you don't have a railing that could use some floral pick-me-ups, the planters can easily stand on their own. I made both a long and a short version to suit anyone's needs.
Select a size
The materials list gives dimensions for two sizes of planter: a 12"-long model and one that is 24" long. Pick the size that best suits your needs. One measurement that you must pay special attention to is the width of your deck or fence railings. The planters described here are built to fit over a railing made out of standard 2x4-size material. You'll need to adjust the width of your planter to match the railings of your own deck.
Download the illustrated cedar planter project plans here!
Materials list for the long planter:
| Legs Size (TxWxL*): 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" x 8" Qty.: 8 | Ends Size (TxWxL*): 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" Qty.: 4 |
| Long sides Size (TxWxL*): 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 24" Qty.: 2 | Long base Size (TxWxL*): 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 24" Qty.: 1 |
Materials list for the short planter:
| Legs Size (TxWxL*): 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" x 8" Qty.: 8 | Ends Size (TxWxL*): 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" Qty.: 4 |
| Short sides Size (TxWxL*): 3/4" x 5 1/2" x 12" Qty.: 2 | Short base Size (TxWxL*): 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 12" Qty.: 1 |
*Length indicates grain direction; all wooden parts are made of cedar
Material ease
Most building centres are well stocked with cedar deck and fence boards. These supplies are perfect for this outdoor project. Two 6'-long 5/4 cedar deck boards provide enough material for one planter box. And two 2x2 cedar balusters will create the legs. Later, as you cut your boards to size, you should be able to position your cuts to avoid the largest of the knots, leaving you with a project of predominantly clear cedar.
Plant a seed
Plane your wood down to a 3⁄4" thickness for the side, end and base parts. If you use ready-made 2x2 balusters, give them a good sanding with 80- to 100-grit paper to eliminate mill glaze and remove any splinters.
Cross cut the balusters into 8"-long pieces for the legs, then cut a decorative kerf 1⁄16" deep around the top and bottom of each one. I find a cross-cut sled on my tablesaw is a safe way to do this work.
Clamp a stop block to the sled, set it 3⁄4" away from the blade, then make the repeated cuts. Mark the bottom ends of each leg, then chamfer the top ends with a block plane or sander.
The ends and base pieces come next. If you're making your planter to straddle a 2x4 railing, rip the ends and base to 31⁄2" wide.
A wider fence or railing demands wider base and end parts. Cut a piece of scrap first and check the fit over your actual railing before completing any final cuts.
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