D.I.Y. fence planters

D.I.Y. fence planters

Jess, Team member
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Project Overview

A fence planter is an easy way to breathe new life into an old fence and make the most of the space in your backyard. This step-by-step guide shows you how simple it is to build your own and add a splash of colour with plants and flowers.
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Writing measurements
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Easy tip for writing measurements

When you are working on a big job, it’s important to write down your measurements as you go. To save yourself time, write each measurement where you are working with a pencil. That way you will always know which number is which and where you can find it when you need it.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Have the timber pre-cut
2 Measure and mark for the holes
3 Make the holes for your pots
4 Measure and mark for the support ropes
5 Drill the holes for the support ropes
6 Drill holes for the securing screws
7 Thread the support ropes
8 Work out the lengths of the support ropes
9 Secure the support ropes with screws
10 Hang the wall planter

  • Step 1. Have the timber pre-cut

    To make this D.I.Y. job even easier, once you’ve worked out how long you want your fence planters to be, you can have the wood pre-cut at selected Bunnings stores. Check your fence and make some measurements. We cut our 150mm x 25mm treated pine into two 880mm lengths.

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    wall planter equipment

  • Step 2. Measure and mark for the holes

    For the first planter tier, measure out your piece of timber and mark where the three pot plants will sit in the timber. Make sure they’re evenly spaced. According to our plans, we measured 190mm in from either end of of the timber. Draw a straight line between your marks, making sure this is in the middle of your timber. Then evenly space out some marks for your pots on the line and draw the holes, which in our case were 250mm in diameter.

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    measure-and-mark-holes

  • Step 3. Make the holes for your pots

    Pre-drill three pilot holes in each piece of timber. Then use a hole saw to cut out the holes, which in our case was 120mm. If you don’t have a hole saw you can use a jigsaw to cut them out but make sure you draw around your pots to get the size of the hole right. For more planter tiers, simply repeat Steps 2 and 3. We made two tiers.

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    cut holes for pots

  • Step 4. Measure and mark for the support ropes

    Measure the width of the timber and mark the middle spot at each end of your timber, leaving some space at each end, which in our case was 30mm.

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    mark the support ropes

  • Step 5. Drill the holes for the support ropes

    Place the timber with the markings on, on top of the other piece. Clamp them to the workbench so that they’re flush. Drill holes at each end that are large enough for the support rope to pass through.

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    person-drilling holes for support ropes

  • Step 6. Drill holes for the securing screws

    Drill a hole in the ends of the timber that intersects with the hole for the supporting ropes. This is where the screws will be inserted to hold the ropes in place. For any other planter tiers, repeat Steps 4 to 6.

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    person drilling holes for securing screws

  • Step 7. Thread the support ropes

    To make it easier to thread the rope through the holes, tape it near the end and then cut it. This will stop it fraying. Thread the rope through both the top and bottom planter. Repeat this at the other end of the planter.

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    thread support ropes

  • Step 8. Work out the lengths of the support ropes

    The distance between your top and bottom planter tiers will depend on the height of the plants you want to sit in the bottom planter. We left 350mm between planter tiers and 350mm from the top planter tier to the top of the fence. Make sure you pull enough rope through the top planter to be able to secure the planter to the fence at the height you want. Tie a loop at the end of the rope to make it easier to hang the fence planter.

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    person tying a loop at the end of the rope

  • Step 9. Secure the support ropes with screws

    Get someone to help you with this step. While someone holds the top planter, use a square to measure the correct height and that the planters are square. Use the drill and screws to secure the rope through the pre-drilled hole in the side. Repeat this to secure the other three support ropes. Tie a knot in the ropes below the bottom planter. Cut the ropes so they’re the same length.

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    person securing the support ropes with screws

  • Step 10. Hang the wall planter

    Secure two roofing screws to your fence, the same distance that the support ropes are apart, which in our case was 350mm. Hang the support ropes off the screws. Now it’s time to add the colourful pot plants to your fence planter, then sit back, relax and enjoy.

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    D.I.Y. wall planter

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • Drill
  • 12mm drill bits
  • 120mm hole saw (or jigsaw)
  • Measuring tape
  • Pencil
  • Sawhorses
  • Square tool

Materials

  • 150mm x 25mm x 880mm treated pine x 2
  • 10mm rope sisal
  • Roofing screws

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