DIY Garden Box

All boards will have straight cuts throughout this project.

Using six 2” x 4” x 8’ boards measure out:

• 4 Legs - 2” x 4” x 34.5” each
• 2 Top Bars - 2” x 4” x 30” each
• 2 Battens - 2” x 4” x 18” each
• 4 Bottom Rails - 2” x 4” x 27” each

Using twelve 1”x 6” x 8’ boards measure out:

• 6 Long Slats - 1” x 8” x 53” each
• 6 Short Slats - 1” x 8” x 27” each
• 8 Bottom Slats - 1” x 8” x 27” each
  

For this next step, you will require a mitre saw and safety glasses. Lay your marked boards flat along your workbench and make straight cuts along the lines using a mitre saw.

Using a painter’s brush, apply two coats of your choice of sealer to your garden box. You will want to add a weather sealer to your wood pieces to improve durability and keep them resistant to outdoor elements. Once the sealer is dry, you can paint and style your garden box. We decided to paint the rails, legs and bottom slats black for extra style points.

For this next step, you will require a cordless power drill and the pocket-hole jig.

On the back of your twelve slats, drill two pocket holes on both sides, one inch in from the sides, to attach these pieces onto the legs. On the back of all four legs, drill two ½-inch pocket holes. Drill them close to the top to allow for easy attachment to the top frame pieces.

Now it is time to assemble your pieces and create the garden box.

First, you will start by creating the side frames. Take two pieces of wood (2” x 4” x 34.5”) and lay them on their side on a flat and stable surface. Using an extra piece of wood, prop up the first 1” x 8” x 27” piece so that it aligns with the centre of your frame piece.

Drill a 1 ¼-inch screw into the frame to secure the slat and repeat this two more times to complete the frame. Repeat this step to complete the other frame.

Next, prop both completed frames on their sides. Using an extra piece of wood, attach the back slats to your frames using the same technique. You should now have the two frames and your back side completed.

Attach the 2” x 4” x 18” to the centre of your back using 1 ½-inch screws. Next, add two 2” x 4” x 27” pieces on either side of this. This will act as your base for the bottom slats. You can prop up your three-framed garden box to then complete the front.

Once the front is assembled, use the same technique as before to attach the 2” x 4” x 18” piece and the two 2” x 4” x 27” pieces. Finally, add on your frame handles by screwing them into the top of your side frames. You should have a fully framed garden box. Now screw in the remaining slats to create the bottom of your garden box.

Your project is now complete. To add extra protection for your soil, add chicken wire and a liner to the inside of the garden box.