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A little chair-shaped planter from four dog-eared pickets — the dog ears become the back slats' finished tops, and the 'seat' is where the flowers sit.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outside back legs Dog-eared end up — cut these first. | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 26" | Fence picket | ☐ |
| Inside back slats Dog-eared end up. | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 20" | Fence picket | ☐ |
| Box bottom, front, and back | 4 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 22 1/2" | Fence picket | ☐ |
| Box ends | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 12 1/2" | Fence picket | ☐ |
| Front legs | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 14" | Fence picket | ☐ |
| Arms | 2 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 14" | Fence picket | ☐ |
| Box bottom supports | 2 | 5/8" × 1 1/2" × 11 1/2" | Ripped picket scrap or 1x2 | ☐ |
| Back slat support | 1 | 5/8" × 1 1/2" × 20" | Ripped picket scrap or 1x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72" (Cedar) The dog ears are used as the finished slat tops — cut those pieces first. | 4 each | ☐ |
| Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized | 100 each | ☐ |
| Exterior wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
| Plastic liner pot or landscape fabric | 1 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Speed Square. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized, Exterior wood glue
Attach a front leg and an outside back leg to each box end piece. Build the two assemblies as MIRROR images — lay them out facing each other before a single brad goes in, because two identical assemblies make half a planter twice.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized, Exterior wood glue
Nail each arm across the top of its front leg and into the back leg. The arms are decorative structure — glue them well; they tie each side into a rigid triangle.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized, Exterior wood glue
Nail the side assemblies to the box front and back pieces with the 1-1/4" brads — and if you have the 3/4" brads loaded, pin through the legs into the front and back as well for extra grab.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized, Exterior wood glue
Nail the two ripped 1x2-ish strips inside the box at the bottom, fastened from all four sides with 1-1/4" brads. These little rails carry the soil load — the glue matters here more than anywhere else in the build.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized
Set the bottom pieces onto the supports inside the box, nailing from the outside if you want them fixed. Leave small gaps for drainage either way.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Level, Tape Measure. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized
Stand the two dog-eared inside slats between the outside back legs, even gaps, ears up — check them plumb, then pin through the box back with the 3/4" brads. The ears across the top are the whole charm of the piece; step back and check the line they make before committing.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 5-1/2" x 72", Brad nails, 3/4" and 1-1/4", galvanized, Plastic liner pot or landscape fabric
Nail the 20" support strip across the back slats from the front with 1-1/4" brads — it ties all four verticals together so the back never fans.
Sand lightly (it's decor, but splinters aren't rustic), line the box or drop in a pot, and plant something that spills over the little arms.