Simple Planter Box (& Cheap)

Here my version of Steve Ramsey’s “Planned Obsolescence” planter box.

The frame is all pine. I laminted (2) 2×4’s together for each leg. The horizontal pieces are 2×3. I wasn’t able to find bender board at the garden center, but I did find cheap 1×6x6’ rough sawn cedar slats in the fence aisle for $1. It took about 1 1/2 of these slats. That made the sides and mitered top. The floor is made from junk treated pine I have laying around. I left gaps between these boards for drainage. I also stapled some wax paper on the inside around the sides to keep muddy water from running out through the side slats. I want all the water to drain out the bottom.

Although this is a cheapo outside project, I wanted to continue to practice mortise and tenon. I thought if I screwed it up… so what.. its outside!!

Once all glued up, I hit all with a couple coats of spar… inside and out. Maybe that will extend the life of the pine… a little.

I lined the bottom of the planted with some old leaves from my fenceline. Next, in went some ashes from the burn pile. Next, I added some old potting soil recycled from last summer. Finally, it was topped off with fresh top soil.

I hope you like it.

Thanks for the cool project ideas Steveo!

-- Eric