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This one flips the usual material relationship: instead of wood walls with a stone accent, concrete paver caps ARE the walls, and the 2x2 cedar frame is just the structure that holds them upright and in place. It's a fast build and an unusual, genuinely modern look for very little lumber.
Measure your actual blocks before cutting the frame. Paver dimensions vary by manufacturer and even by batch, and the frame's slot width has to match your blocks with a small amount of clearance — about 1/8" to 1/4" — to slide them in without forcing them. Landscape adhesive between the wood and the blocks is what actually holds the assembly together long-term, and it needs a full cure (usually overnight) under light clamping pressure, like a ratchet strap, before the planter can be moved or loaded.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 8x16x2 concrete cap blocksThe planter's actual walls — measure yours before cutting the frame. | 4 each |
| Cedar, 2x2, 8 ftPressure-treated works too if it's for exterior use. | 3 each |
| 2-1/2" exterior deck screws or pocket hole screws | 1 box |
| Landscape adhesive (concrete and wood compatible) | 1 tube |
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.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| LegsCedar 2x2 | 4 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 23 3/4" |
| Slot railsCedar 2x2Measure your blocks first and adjust — cut a little long to allow the blocks to slide in with about 1/8"–1/4" clearance. | 8 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 15 3/4" |
Buy 3 boards at 8 ft.
3 boards
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 →
Build two identical side frames from the legs and rails, either with predrilled 2-1/2" exterior deck screws and glue, or with pocket holes set for 1-1/2" stock and 2-1/2" exterior pocket hole screws. The top rail needs to sit down from the leg tops by a distance matching the width of your paver blocks — this is the slot they'll sit in.
Join the two side frames with more 2x2 rails using the same joinery method, forming the full box shape.
Repeat the process to add a few more 2x2 rails inside for extra rigidity, especially if your blocks are heavy or your frame spans a long side.
Apply landscape adhesive to the wood where each block will sit, then slide the blocks into place. Wrap a ratchet strap or rope around the whole assembly to hold everything tight while the adhesive cures — check the product's instructions, but expect to leave it overnight. Once cured, line the inside with landscape fabric, add soil, and plant.
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