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A cedar picket planter with a dramatically taller back panel than front — built from two mirror-image leg frames, so the height difference is designed in, not trimmed in after.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front legs | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 22" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Back legs The tall-back shape lives entirely in this length difference from the front legs. | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 71 1/2" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Leg horizontal supports | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 16" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Side pickets, front | 8 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 19" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Side pickets, back | 8 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 20" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Back pickets Cut to fit the assembled frame rather than to this exact length. | 9 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 18 3/4" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft Long cuts first — the back legs are the longest pieces. | 3 each | ☐ |
| Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" wide (Cedar) Per one planter. If your pickets measure narrower than 5-1/2", space the gaps out evenly instead of forcing this spacing. | 9 each | ☐ |
| Self-tapping screws, 2-1/2" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Exterior fasteners, 1-1/4" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Exterior wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Self-tapping screws, 2-1/2"
Build two identical leg-and-support frames — one with the short front legs, one with the tall back legs — using 2-1/2" self-tapping screws, two per joint.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Self-tapping screws, 2-1/2"
Attach the upper support pieces to the outside of each frame. These mirror each other rather than mount identically — dry-fit both frames side by side and confirm the mirroring before you commit to screws.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" wide, Exterior fasteners, 1-1/4", Exterior wood glue
Attach the side cedar pickets to the outsides of the two frames with 1-1/4" exterior fasteners and exterior wood glue.
This plan expects 5-1/2"-wide pickets. If yours run narrower, evenly space the gaps across the actual width instead of forcing the plan's spacing.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" wide, Exterior fasteners, 1-1/4", Exterior wood glue
Attach the front cedar pickets to the fronts of both frames, keeping the outside edges flush.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Random Orbit Sander, Tape Measure. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" wide, Exterior fasteners, 1-1/4", Exterior wood glue
Measure your assembled frame and cut the back pickets to fit — the tall-back panel is a cut-to-fit step, not a fixed length. Attach with 1-1/4" fasteners and exterior wood glue.
Sand and finish before planting.