A durable, portable planter box can help you grow plants even when weather and soil conditions aren’t ideal. Follow our step-by-step guide and supply list to build your own DIY planter box.
Planting containers allows you to enjoy your favorite spring plants while the ground is still too wet or too cold. Overly wet, freezing, or compacted soil is unfriendly to growing plants. The soil in planters is not only warmer but also drains more quickly, making it excellent for gardening.
If you choose fast-growing plants, you can enjoy vibrant colors and even fresh produce within weeks.
Ready to kick off your spring planting season, but don’t have plant containers? Use our guide to quickly and easily build a beautiful DIY planter box. This design can be easily reproduced to expand your gardening space.
Build a planter box with the following steps.
1. Gather materials and tools: You will need:
- A strong construction adhesive – Loctite PL Premium Max
- Wood stain/paint (optional)
- Two 6-foot-long 1x6-inch pieces of lumber per box
- One 6-foot-long 2x2-inch piece of lumber per box
- Power saw
- Sandpaper
- Anything from 4 mil to 10 mil plastic sheeting
- Steel mesh
- Staples
- Garden soil
- Screws or nails (optional)
- Caulking gun
- Pencil
- Utility knife
- Wire cutters (optional)
- Safety goggles
- Tape measure
- Scissors
- Safety gloves
2. Prepare the wood: Take your 1x6-inch lumber, measure, and cut it into equal pieces (each one foot long for smaller planters or longer for larger ones). These dimensions will give you a cube-shaped planter, though you can adjust for different shapes. Cut 10 pieces for each box. Each side is made of two pieces stacked on edge. For the bottom, use two pieces laid flat side-by-side.
3. Sand the boards: After cutting the wood to size, you will notice rough edges. Use sandpaper to smooth them out. To achieve the best outcome, be sure to use the right sanding sequence. You can start with 60-grit sandpaper and finish with 120-grit.
If you are using extremely rough lumber, consider running it through a planer before sanding with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth it out.
4. Putting the box together: Start by assembling the bottom, then move on to the sides. Join the two bottom pieces by applying a bead of Loctite PL Premium Max along the length of the two adjoining surfaces. The adhesive is repositionable for 20 minutes, ensuring that you can perfectly position each piece. More importantly, you achieve a clean finish because it reduces the need for nails and screws.
Create a U-shaped piece by attaching two opposing side pieces. Apply a bead of this strong adhesive along the outward-facing edges of the assembled base piece. Once the U-shape is stable, attach the two final pieces to close the box. Apply adhesive along the opposite outward-facing edges of the U-shape and attach two more pieces of wood.
Ensure that you press the glued pieces together firmly for a strong bond.
Pro tip
Glue without clamps or nails: If you don’t have clamps or nails, you can still hold the wood pieces together firmly with super glue until the adhesive cures. To clamp the joints together, apply globs of adhesive, leaving tiny gaps between them. Fill the gaps with Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control and press the pieces together firmly. Super glue dries within seconds and cures in minutes. You can rely on it to hold the joints together until the adhesive cures fully (in 24 hours).
5. Add reinforcements: With the first layer complete, add 2x2-inch supports to each inside corner of the box. Each piece should be 2 feet long. Apply construction adhesive to 2 adjacent edges of a 2x2-inch, then glue it in place. Repeat for the remaining supports. You can use finish nails from the bottom and both sides to firmly hold the reinforcements in place.
6. Install the upper pieces: Finish the box by installing the upper level. Apply adhesive to the surfaces that the finishing pieces will contact. Allow the adhesive to cure completely by leaving the planter undisturbed for about 24 hours.
7. Line the box: Install a fine steel mesh along the bottom of the box and secure it with ½-inch staples. You can use a pair of wire cutters to trim the mesh to the correct size before installation. The mesh provides added support and prevents soil from leaking out if the plastic lining breaks.
8. Add a layer of plastic lining: Use a pair of scissors to cut the plastic sheeting to fit the bottom of the planter. Consider a double layer of lining (especially if you are using something thin like 4 mil sheeting) to ensure it comfortably holds the weight of wet soil. After the plastic is in place, secure it with some staples. Make several holes in the plastic to ensure proper drainage.
9. Smooth the edges: Once the box is complete, wipe away any excess adhesive. Then lightly sand the box to smooth out any rough spots. Focus on the corners and top edges to achieve a sleek finish.
10. Finishing: If you would like to stain or paint your planter, now is the time. You can paint the exterior of the planter with your preferred paint color to achieve the desired look.
Optional:
Elevate your planter: For a DIY raised planter box, consider attaching a pair of one-foot-long parallel 2x2-inch pieces of wood to the bottom side, spaced several inches apart. Use Loctite PL Premium Max to join the pieces of wood to the base of the planter.
11. Add soil: After completing the DIY planter box, fill it with soil, and it will be ready to hold your chosen plant(s) such as pansies, miniature lupins, and snapdragons.
For the best results, follow these tips:
- Safety first: Be cautious when using power tools, strong adhesives, and nails. Before you start building your planter box, wear safety goggles and gloves.
- Boost drainage: If you intend to plant something that requires a quick-draining medium, drill a few holes into the bottom section of the box.
- Use the best adhesive: PL Premium Max is Loctite’s strongest adhesive. In addition to being waterproof, this product is a great fit for outdoor projects, including landscaping.