Outdoor

Angled Cedar Planter

Turn simple 1x2s and fence pickets into a beautiful new planter.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 3.3–6 hours
Cost: $$

About this build

Turn simple 1x2s and fence pickets into a beautiful new planter. The slight angle on the front and back of the planter give it added style without making it challenging to build. The planter is large enough to plant bigger plants, vegetables or small trees.

Tools

Essential

Brad Nailer
Circular Saw
Drill / Driver
Impact Driver
Miter Saw
Pocket Hole Jig
Staple Gun

Optional / nice to have

Bar / Pipe Clamps
Tape Measure

Materials

Item	Qty
Board, 1x2 96"	3 board
Fence picket, 1x4 72"	3 board
Board, 1x4 36"	1 board
1 1/4" Kreg pocket hole screws	52 each
Outdoor wood glue	1 each
1" finish nails	100 each
Landscape fabric	1 each
Staples	30 each

Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L
Legs	4	3/4" × 1" × 15"
Front/back bottom rail	2	3/4" × 1" × 11"
Front/back top rail	2	3/4" × 1" × 14"
Side rails	4	3/4" × 1" × 10"
Top front/back	2	3/4" × 1" × 17"
Top side	2	3/4" × 1" × 9"
Cedar panels	14	5/8" × 3" × 12"
Bottom slats	3	3/4" × 3" × 10"

What to buy

Buy 6 boards at 8 ft.

3/4" × 3"

1 board

10"10"10"

3/4" × 1"

3 boards

17"17"15"15"15"15"
14"14"11"11"10"10"10"10"
9"9"

5/8" × 3"

2 boards

12"12"12"12"12"12"12"
12"12"12"12"12"12"12"

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

1Cut 1x2 boards
Cut the 1x2 boards for the planter according to the cut list. The legs need to be cut so each edge is at an 8 degree angle with the ends parallel to each other. The front/back top and bottom rails need to be cut so each angle is cut at an 8 degree angle with the angles opposite each other.
2Assemble front/back
- Set your pocket hold jig for 3/4" material.
- Drill 2 pocket holes in each end of the front/back top and bottom rails. Using wood glue and 1 1/4" pocket hole screws, attach the bottom rail so it is 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the legs and the top rail is flush with the top of the legs. Make sure the legs angle toward each other at the bottom.
3Assemble planter frame
- Drill 2 pocket holes in each end of the side rails.
- Attach them between the front and back frame so the top rails are flush with the outside of the front and back. The top rail will not be flush at the top, but this will be hidden later. The bottom rail should be 1 1/2" up from the bottom.
4Attach bottom slats
- Drill 2 pocket holes in each side of the bottom slats.
- Attach them between the front/back bottom rails so they are flush with the bottom. Use 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
- Leave a bit of a gap between the boards and the side of the planter for drainage.
5Add panels to sides of the planter
- Add the fence picket panels to the sides of the planter first.
- Set the panels so they are 1/4" below the top of the planter. Use wood glue and finish nails to secure them to the inside of the planter frame.
6Add panels to the front/back
- Center 3 panels inside the front of the planter. Secure as above.
- Measure the space remaining and using a circular saw or jig saw, cut the triangle piece off one of the remaining panels to fit. Use the other side of the cut off panel to cut a piece for the other side of the planter.
- Repeat for the back.
7Add landscaping fabric
- Cut a piece of landscaping fabric to fin inside the planter. It needs to sit flat on the bottom of the planter and against the sides. Staple the fabric to the top of the slats not the frame.
- Trim the excess fabric.
8Add top frame
- Build the top frame by drilling pocket hole screws in both ends of the top side boards.
- Attach them between the top front/back boards with 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
- Lay it on top of the planter frame and center.
- Attach with wood glue and finish nails making sure to cover the edges of the landscape fabric.
9Fill with soil and enjoy!
Now you can fill your new planter with soil and get to planting. For more outdoor projects to build make sure to visit me at Housefulofhandmade.com and say hi!