3 Drawer Wooden Pastel Box

How to Build a Wooden Planter Box

An simple planter box that's all curves and circles

man inspects plants hanging in a wooden planter box

This stripped-down window planter can be built in less than an hour, yet the simplicity of the design resists rot far better than traditional window boxes.

Draw the circles, then cut

Photo 1: Holes for pots

Mark the 6-in.-diameter holes with a compass. Then drill 1/2-in. starter holes and cut out the openings with a jigsaw.

Photo 2: Wood brackets

Mark the notch for the hanging strip and both 1-1/4-in. ends on the brackets. Draw the curve and cut the openings with a jigsaw.

Photo 3: Hanging strip

Predrill and screw the hanging strip to the brackets. Then center and screw the shelf to the brackets and to the hanging strip.

You can put together this simple window planter in less an hour. For each planter, you'll need three 6-in. clay pots, 3 ft. each of 1×10 and 1×3, and 2 ft. of 2×8.

Cut the 1×10 and 1×3 to length (see photos for dimensions). Pot diameters vary, so size the holes by scribing and cutting out a 6-in. circle from cardboard to ensure that the pot will rest on its rim (Photo 1). Keep testing until you find the size. Then lay out and cut the openings.

Use a 5-gallon pail lid to scribe the bracket curves (Photo 2). Make sure the grain runs parallel to the shelf for strength. Smooth off the rough edges and paint the parts before assembly—especially if you want the two-tone look. Then screw the parts together with 2-in. exterior screws.

Mount the shelf to the wall by screwing through the hanging strip into the wall framing.

Required Tools for this How to Make a Wooden Planter Box Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you'll save time and frustration.

You'll also need a compass, along with the top of a 5-gallon bucket as a template for the brackets.

Required Materials for this How to Make a Wooden Planter Box Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.

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