D.I.Y. stackable wooden planters

D.I.Y. stackable wooden planters

Jess, Team member
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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. 

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removing bent nail
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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

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    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. 

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    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.
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    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

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