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Flower Box

Category: 
Lawn & Garden

Ahh, finally... spring has sprung!  It's time to get back outside and let the gardening season begin. With that in mind, why not create a 'home' for your soon-to-bloom flowers and plants?  All you need are a few materials, some common tools, and a little inspiration. Then just follow these simple steps for a quick and inexpensive way to construct your own flower box. It's a great weekend project—and a great way to get outdoors again!

Lumber Required:
 

  • Two 12” x 60” pieces
  • One 10 1/2” x 58 1/2” piece
  • Two 10 1/2” x 12” pieces
  • One 12” x 60” piece
  • One 4x8’ sheet of plywood (3/4” thick)
  • Six 18” posts (4x4’s or decorative railing)

 

Materials List:
 

  • Wood glue (waterproof)
  • Wood filler (paintable and/or stainable)
  • Sandpaper
  • Primer and exterior paint/stain
  • 6d and 3d finishing nails
  • Galvanized brad nails

 

Tools Needed:
 

  • Hammer
  • Mitre box (and saw)
  • Tape measure
  • Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • Paint brushes
  • Circular saw

 

Construction Steps:

Step 1:
Begin by cutting your frame to size:  two 12" x 60" pieces for the front and back, two 10 1/2" x 12" pieces for the ends/sides, and one 10 1/2" x 58 1/2" piece for the bottom.  Assemble these with wood glue and nails.

Step 2:
Cut six legs to 18" each. You can use patterned fence posts, decorative railing or simple 4' x 4's—whatever suits your tastes. After ensuring that all six legs are exact, nail and glue them to the bottom of your box.

Step 3:
From your piece of plywood, measure and cut the 12" x 60" shelf. Then, with your jigsaw, cut six notches for the legs and glue the shelf in place. (Your notches can be at any height you desire, but 6-8" is a safe spot.)

Step 4:
For the top of your box, measure and cut the 1x2' trim, mitering the corners. Now, simply adhere it to the inside edges with wood glue and galvanized brad nails.

Step 5:
Your 2 1/4" decorative moulding should be added onto the front face and both ends/sides of the box. Measure it to the appropriate lengths with mitered corners, then nail or glue into place.

Step 6:
On the bottom of your box, drill six 1/2" diameter holes. This will ensure proper drainage once the box is filled with soil and flowers.

Step 7: 
After covering all nail holes and knots with wood putty, sand your entire box with medium-to-fine grade sandpaper. Finally, prime and paint/stain to your desired colour.