Build a wooden flower box yourself: DIY instructions

Flower boxes can be quite expensive to buy, but these are relatively easy to build yourself. In addition to the low costs, there are other advantages in favor of a DIY flower box, because it can be perfectly adapted to your own ideas both in terms of shape and color. One possible variant is an elongated flower box, which is ideal for planting on the balcony or terrace.

material

Which equipment is required?

A wooden flower box can be built quickly and easily, provided the necessary equipment is available. This primarily requires the wood and the appropriate material for the interior cladding. A wire mesh or mole screen are great for keeping the drain hole from getting clogged. This also prevents the soil or the drainage layer from escaping. A film, such as a commercially available dimpled film, provides additional protection. In addition, the following material is required to build the planter:

• Cordless screwdriver / drill
• Wood screws (about 60-70 pieces)
• Glaze brush
• Sandpaper or sanding sponge
• Screw clamp
• Tool stapler

tip: Instead of a glaze brush, an ordinary flat brush is also suitable.

Which types of wood are suitable?

Since the flower box will most likely have a place outside, it should be made of sturdy and durable wood. A good choice would be larch or Douglas fir, for example, as these types of wood have a relatively high resin content. The wood itself is best in a regional wood or Sawmill acquired. Here it is worthwhile to sift through the "leftover wood corner", as you can often find good bargains here. Many specialist dealers also offer free cutting when purchasing the wood. For a flower box with the dimensions 80x40x40 the following is required:

• 12 linear meters of wood
• 12x long pieces: 80 cm long, 10 cm high
• 8x side parts: 40 cm long, 10 cm high
• 4x square timbers: 40 cm long, 10 cm high
• 4-6 feet (height about 15 cm)

Note: The size of the flower box should always be adapted to the future planting! Perennials need a container that is at least 35 to 40 centimeters high and wide. A bucket for evergreen trees, on the other hand, should have a height and width of at least 50 centimeters.

DIY wooden flower box: instructions

If the boards have already been cut to size at the local dealer, you can continue directly with step 1 of the instructions. If not, the boards must first be cut to size. Inexperienced craftsmen should take enough time for this, because the boards should best be cut to the millimeter. Otherwise, it may be necessary to visit the specialist retailer again, which of course increases the time required. If the wooden boards have already been cut to size, you can now continue with the DIY instructions as follows:

1. Prepare wooden boards

The wooden boards are already available in the correct dimensions, but they should not be processed directly. It is better to first sand these with sandpaper or a sanding sponge. To do this, simply pull the respective utensil roughly over the wood so that any splinters are sanded off. This step not only makes further work with the wood easier, it also beautifies it at the same time. On top of that, the wood can also absorb paint and glaze better thanks to the sanding process.

2. Mark and drill holes

The best thing to do is to use something that can act as a template for the holes. This ensures that the holes are always in the same place. A simple drilling template can be made from a piece of cardboard, for example. It is best to use two different templates for this step, as the holes in the side parts should be slightly offset.
The holes are marked as follows:

• 4 holes in the corners of the longitudinal parts
• 4 holes in the corners of the side panels
• Always hold the template by the corner
• Mark the drill holes for the squared timber slightly offset

Note: The wood drill should be a little thinner than the screws. If the wood screws are 4 millimeters in diameter, the wood drill bit should be at least 2.5 millimeters in diameter.

3. Squared timbers

To ensure that the flower box is also stable, square timbers are installed inside. Because this wood is characterized by its resilience and load-bearing capacity. Ideally, the square timbers have also been prepared and the holes have already been drawn. Attach the boards for the outer frame to the square timbers, ideally with a screw clamp. You mount them in the inner corners of the flower box. However, if you don't have a screw clamp on hand, you can carry out this work step without it if necessary.

4. Screw the construction together

After the holes have been prepared, the lower part of the structure can be assembled. To assemble the lower frame of the flower box, two lengthways and side parts are taken and assembled as follows:

• Screw the lengthwise boards to the square timbers with wood screws
• Hold the side panel and screw it on as well

5. Mount the floor and feet

The frame is now complete, so the floorboards and feet can be installed in this step. It is important that the boards always end neatly with the edge. In the middle of the floor, however, you should leave enough space, because this distance will function as a water drain in the future and prevent waterlogging. The boards are best assembled as follows:

• Draw in feet and pre-drill
• Mount feet
• Attach floor boards and screw in place

tip: To prevent the feet from turning, it is best to fix them additionally. For this it is sufficient to simply screw in a second screw.

6. Completion of the flower box

The lower part of the construction has already been completed, now you are practically working upwards. To do this, simply mount the remaining wooden boards on the construction, as already described in points 3 and 4. Don't forget: You must always attach the side parts to the square timbers. For the last board, it is advisable to first place it on the squared timber and only then screw it on.

7. Apply protective glaze

The flower box is made of weather-resistant material, but additional protection cannot be harmful. So that the construction is even more robust and durable for a few years, a Protective glaze be applied. To do this, take the glaze brush and proceed as follows:

• Only paint the inside area at the top
• paint everything on the outside
• best to paint twice
• Allow around 24 hours between coats

Note: The protective glaze is available in different colors so that it can be ideally matched to the balcony or terrace.

8. Dress up the interior

In the center of the floor there is now a slot that serves as a water drain. However, not only excess water, but also the substrate and drainage can escape through this. However, this can be avoided with a simple work step by incorporating a wire mesh or a mole screen as well as a film:

• Staple wire mesh over the water drain
• Cut 4 pieces of foil
• if this has no holes, then work them in
• the pieces of foil should be big enough to go around the corner
• Tack the film from the inside as well

9. Work in drainage

Before you can plant the flower box, you should always install drainage. This prevents waterlogging and ensures that the roots of the plants do not rot. The height of the drainage depends on the size of the planter; a height of around four centimeters is sufficient for our DIY planter. The drainage itself can consist of the following materials, among others:

• Expanded clay
• crushed pottery shards
• gravel