How to Build a Patio Planter
DIY Projects, Decks and Patios, Featured, Furniture & Accessories, Lawn and Garden by Danny Lipford
This outside planter is made entirely from pressure treated pine, so it will last for years. The sides are 17¾” wide on the front and 20¾” wide on the side, and the planter with mitered top measures a total of 24¾” high. It’s easy to build and is perfect for a patio, deck or porch. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
Tools:
- Tape measure and pencil
- Square
- Hammer
- Safety glasses
- Circular saw, miter saw, or handsaw
- Drill/driver (drill bits, countersink, screwdriver bits)
Materials:
- 3 – 2” x 4” x 10’ pressure treated pine
- 6 – 1” x 4” x 8’ pressure treated pine
- Landscape fabric
- Corrosion resistant deck screws and nails
Cutting List:
- Legs: 8 – 1½” x 3½” x 24”
- Top and bottom inner frames, front: 4 – 1½” x 3½” x 11½”
- Top and bottom inner frames, sides: 4 – 1½” x 3½” x 17½”
- Mitered top, front: 2 – ¾” x 3½” x 18½”
- Mitered top, sides: 2 – ¾” x 3½” x 21½”
- Front and side boards: 12 – ¾” x 3½” x 20½”
- Top and bottom rails: 8 – ¾” x 3½” x 10½”
- Bottom: 4 – ¾” x 3½” x 17½”
Note
Pressure treated wood is often slightly thicker and wider than standard dimension lumber and may require minor adjustments to the cutting list.
Building the Planter
Follow these steps-by-step instructions to make the patio planter.
Measure the legs and cut to length, making sure both end are square.
Nail or screw the legs together at a right angle, using a scrap as support.
Measure and cut the pieces for the two inner frames. Assemble the inner frames, so that the outside dimensions of each frame measure 14½” x 17½”.
Attach the 1” x 4” bottom pieces to the bottom the inner frame. Screw the legs to the frame, supporting it with scrap, so the frame is 3½” from one end of the legs.
Turn the planter over, and attach the other frame flush with the end of the legs. Next, attach the front and side boards to the top and bottom frames so they’re flush with the ends of the frames.
Attach the top and bottom rails so they are flush with the top and bottom front and side boards.
Miter the four top pieces so the inside of the miter is flush with the inside of the inner frame and attach to the top of the planter.
Drill several holes in the bottom to allow for drainage, line the planter with landscape fabric, fill with potting soil and plant.
7 Comments on “How to Build a Patio Planter”
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May 26th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Thank you for posting the directions for the Patio Planter. I am nearly finished with the planter. It would have been helpful to have a schematic drawing, in addition to the photos, of each step.
Ben Erickson Says:May 26th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Hi Nancy,
Glad it helped. We hope to post plans for the planter with it in the future but wanted to get it up as soon as possible since we have had several requests for it.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:21 am
The planter is finished and it looks great on our patio! Could you suggest any alternatives for the landscape fabric? I can only find the fabric in very large quantities.
Ben Erickson Says:May 28th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hi Nancy,
Glad to know the planter worked out. You could use plastic sheeting (black holds up better), just be sure to punch holes in the bottom corresponding to the drain holes. Another option would be to place a large pot or bucket inside the planter to hold the soil and plant.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Due to water drainage from our neighbor we cannot plant in our dirt and would like to create raised planters. We are seniors and my spouse is disabled. How large could this planter be made supports needed etc. Thanks
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
Do you have a different photo of the patio planter? The photo on the web site isn’t a very good representation of the item.
Ben Erickson Says:October 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Hi Bonnie,
I added another photo of the finished planter at the end of the article. Hope that helps!