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.

The planter is easy to build and is perfect for a patio, deck, or porch. Here’s how to go about building it.

Tools Needed:

  • Tape measure and pencil
  • Square
  • Hammer
  • Safety glasses
  • Circular saw, miter saw, or handsaw
  • Drill/driver (drill bits, countersink, screwdriver bits)

Materials List:

  • 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.

Watch the video above to find out more.

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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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