D.I.Y. stackable wooden planters

D.I.Y. stackable wooden planters

Jess, Team member
View the video

Project Overview

A vertical garden made from stackable wooden planters will create a fantastic feature in any size garden. Easy to build, you can use them to add a splash of colour to your backyard or even grow fresh herbs for the kitchen. 

Continue to step-by-step instructions
removing bent nail
View the video
00:07
×

How to remove a bent nail

If a nail bends as you hammer it in, don’t try to straighten it, just remove it. The easiest way to do this is to place a thin piece of timber beside the nail to support the hammer and protect the surface. Fit the claw of the hammer under the nail head and pull the handle towards you until the nail comes out. Keep the handle as close to vertical as possible so you don’t make the nail hole wider.

Step by Step Instructions

1 Cut your timber to size
2 Build the front of the planter
3 Glue and fix the front of the planter
4 Build the side and base panels
5 Put the planter together
6 Insert the base
7 Finish off the planter

  • Step 1. Cut your timber to size

    We’ve designed our planters in two different sizes – 600mm and 300mm wide. The lengths of 84mm x 19mm blackwood decking timber for both are listed below. You can either get the 600mm timber pre-cut at Bunnings, or for the 300mm option just measure and mark the pieces and cut them with a drop saw. Label each piece and put them in their groups, so you remember where they go. Keep at least eight off-cuts to use as spacers.

    600mm box:

    600mm (front & back) x 6
    560mm (base) x 3
    275mm (sides & bottom blocks) x 8
    219mm (internal blocks) x 8

    300mm box:
    300mm (front & back) x 6

    260mm (base) x 3
    275mm (sides & bottom blocks) x 8
    219mm (internal blocks) x 8

    Previous Step Next Step
    cutting wood drop saw

  • Step 2. Build the front of the planter

    Prepare your workbench by clamping a 750mm wooden block along the back to use as a square. Lay the three pieces of timber for the front of the planter horizontally on the work bench. Place your 10mm plastic packers in between these horizontal pieces to make sure they are spaced evenly apart. Then place two internal pieces over the top, 300mm apart. Place two spacers against the wooden block at each end of your vertical pieces. Square up the horizontal pieces with another piece of wood. 

    Previous Step Next Step
    Build the front of the planter

  • Step 3. Glue and fix the front of the planter

    Apply PVA wood glue to the horizontal pieces of timber, to attach the vertical piece. Put the vertical pieces of timber in place. Use the nail gun to secure the vertical pieces to the horizontal pieces of timber. Mark where the top of each panel is after you have finished them. Repeat the above steps to build the second front for the planter.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Glue and fix the front of the planter

  • Step 4. Build the side and base panels

    To build the first side panel, just follow the same process as before. The only difference is in the spacing between the internal timber blocks, which will need to be closer together. Repeat this process to build the other side panels and base.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Build the side and base panels

  • Step 5. Put the planter together

    Apply wood glue to the vertical blocks where they will be joined to the side panel. Put the side panel in place and use the nail gun to secure the panels together. Repeat this process until all the sides are attached.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Put the planter together

  • Step 6. Insert the base

    Once the front and sides have been secured, turn the planter over. Apply glue around the edges of the planter and put the base into position. Use the nail gun to secure the base to the front and sides of the planter.

    Previous Step Next Step
    Insert the base

  • Step 7. Finish off the planter

    You can paint, stain or oil your planter, depending on the look you want. Remember, before you put any soil in, place weed matting down to protect the timber from rotting.
    Previous Step Next Step
    DIY stackable wooden planter boxes

Tools and Materials

Tools

  • 400mm clamps
  • Compound mitre saw
  • Earmuffs or ear plugs
  • Hammer
  • Hand stapler
  • Measuring tape
  • Nail gun
  • Pencil
  • Safety glasses with side shields
  • Scissors
  • Square tool

Materials

  • 84mm x 19mm timber decking
  • 32mm nails
  • 10mm plastic packers
  • Masking tape
  • Paint or stain
  • PVA exterior wood glue
  • Sandpaper
  • Staples
  • Weed mat

More D.I.Y. Advice

How to build a garden bed 05:37

Planting & Growing How to build a garden bed Transform your outdoor area by learning how to build a garden bed. It’s easy to do, just follow our step-by-step guide.

philodendron

Planting & Growing Discover 12 plants that are the best for indoors Striking foliage and stunning colour isn’t just reserved for the garden. There’s a wide variety of indoor plants you can use to bring colour and life to your home explains Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katrina Gatt.

Person planting spinach 03:11

Planting & Growing How to grow vegetables Watch our step-by-step guide and find out everything you need to know about how to grow fresh vegetables in your garden.

Person trimming the hedge with battery shears 01:28

Planting & Growing How to trim hedges Hedges are an excellent way to add shape to your garden. Here are a couple of tips to effectively trim and maintain a hedge.

Person putting on protective edging on the raised garden bed 01:38

Planting & Growing How to build a raised garden bed Building a raised garden bed is a simple project you can do yourself. Learn how to build a raised garden bed with this guide from Bunnings Warehouse.

Person adding compost and manure to the soil 02:01

Planting & Growing How to improve sandy soil Good soil is the foundation for any healthy garden. We can show you how to improve sandy soil to retain more nutrients and water.

succulents

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for succulents Succulents come in a huge range of colours, shapes and sizes, will grow just about anywhere and don’t need much looking after, making them a plant that’s perfect for even the most novice gardener. If you’re new to succulents, here are some tips from...

Person cutting the corrugated edging 03:08

Planting & Growing How to install garden edging Garden edging can help to make your garden beds look neat and tidy. We’ll show you how to install plastic or corrugated garden edging around your garden.

hydrangea

Planting & Growing How to create an allergy-friendly garden If you suffer from hay fever or other allergies, then being out in the garden can, at times, be less than enjoyable. But there are some steps you can take to create an allergy-friendly garden so you can spend more time gardening and less time sneezi...

pallet coffee table

Outdoor Living Five D.I.Y. ideas to update your outdoors Autumn is a great time of the year to tick off a few D.I.Y. projects from your to-do list. Here are a few good ideas to get you started.

pot

Planters How to choose the right plant pot Pots are a great way to add colour, interest or texture to your outdoor space. Tuscan Path’s Elaine Foster shares her top tips on how to choose the perfect pot.

sunflower

Planting & Growing How to plant and care for sunflowers Sunflowers are a great way to add colour to your garden, and they’re easy to grow and care for. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Katie explains the basics of how to grow sunflowers and shares some tips on how to care for them.

orchid

Planting & Growing How to care for orchids Orchids are a low-maintenance flower that can be grown indoors or outside in a protected location. And, with a little care, they will provide you with lots of colour.

paint

Guides & Projects How to upcycle almost any piece of furniture with paint Rather than throwing out old household items, you can restore them with paint. It’s a quick, easy and affordable way to give anything from furniture to fences a new lease on life. Learn how to paint and prepare different surfaces to get the finish y...

DIY balcony and courtyard garden

Planters D.I.Y. balcony and courtyard garden Even if your outdoor space is limited to a balcony or courtyard, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on having a garden. The team at Tuscan Path, who have been supplying pots to the Australian marketplace for over 40 years, share some ideas on how ...

kitchen benchtop materials

Benchtops & Cabinets A guide to kitchen benchtop materials The perfect benchtop will add style to any kitchen. It’ll also see the most action, so choosing the right benchtop for your kitchen – and budget – is an important decision explains Bunnings Kitchen Designer Ben Carey.

Top of the content