Raised RAISED Planter Bench

Build each wall of the planter as a separate flat panel before joining anything — flat panels are far easier to keep square than a box assembled in the air. The 48" leg measurement is to ground level; if you plan to sink the posts into the ground for stability, add length to each cut.

Join the wall panels into the raised box. A Kreg jig is very useful here for the concealed 2x2 joints. Build the whole structure, then set it in its spot and confirm it's level before you commit to the leg height — ground slope and surface vary, so leveling now saves a rocking, poorly-draining planter later.

With the assembled planter leveled in place, cut the legs to their final height. Doing this last, on site, is what lets the top come out level regardless of the ground underneath.

Build the bench from its 2x2 pieces — the long rail, cross piece, supports, and feet — and tie it into the planter structure so it reads as one piece. Keep it square and level with the planter.

Clad the planter and bench with the fence pickets, leaving a genuine gap between boards for drainage. Screw the cladding to the 2x2 framing with exterior screws.

Line the planter box with landscape fabric before adding soil to slow rot and hold the dirt in. Sand any rough spots and finish everything with an outdoor sealant or deck stain — untreated wood in constant contact with soil and weather won't last raw. Then fill with soil and plant.