The Planter Box Plan · Free Plan Nº 05

Sheet 2 · The build

An 18-inch cedar box for herbs or flowers, cut from a single 1x6 with only straight crosscuts. The bottom is a little narrower than the opening, so water drains out along both edges.

The finished cedar planter box on a sunny deck railing beside a window, planted with basil, thyme and parsley — What you're building: the finished planter box.

Tools

Saw and speed square
Drill with countersink bit
Clamps
Tape measure, pencil, sandpaper

Materials

One 1x6 cedar board, 6 ft
16 exterior screws, 1-1/4"
Waterproof wood glue
Landscape fabric (optional)

Cut list

Name	Qty	Size
Side	2	3/4 × 5-1/2 × 18
End	2	3/4 × 5-1/2 × 6
Bottom	1	3/4 × 5-1/2 × 16-1/2

Sizes in inches: thickness × width × length

Steps

Square one end of the board, then cut the two sides, the two ends and the bottom in that order, measuring each from a fresh square end.
Glue and clamp one end between the two sides, flush at the top and outer edges. Drill, countersink and drive three screws through each side into the end.
Fit the second end the same way. Check that the box is square by measuring both diagonals; they should match.
Turn the box over and set the bottom in 1/2" up from the lower edge, centered so there's a 1/4" gap on each side. Screw through the sides into it, two screws per side.
Drill three 1/2" holes through the bottom for extra drainage, then sand all edges to 120 grit.
Leave cedar bare to weather silver, or use an exterior oil. Line the inside with landscape fabric before you add soil.

Shop note

Setting the bottom 1/2" up keeps it off the windowsill or deck, so it dries between waterings and lasts years longer.