Guide to Container Gardening /Building Wood and Cedar Containers

1. Standard Square Cedar Box

2.Cedar Window Box.

3. Rectangular Cedar box

How to Build Cedar Planters

Cedar planter boxes can add curb-appeal and structural emphasis to your yard, patio or windows. Building your own cedar planters is relatively cost-effective and can be done quickly and efficiently with the proper resources. Cedar is a softwood lumber typically used in outdoors projects because of its natural ability to resist insects and decay. A planter box's basic rectangular design consists of two end pieces, two side pieces and a bottom piece.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Measuring tape
• Hand saw or circular saw
• Wood glue
• Level
• Galvanized screws
• Drill
• Planter liner

1. Measure the space where your planter box will be located.
2. Cut the box's side and end pieces to fit the measurements of the space. The side and end pieces should be the same height and width. The two side pieces should be identical in length and longer than the end pieces to give the planter its rectangular shape. The two end pieces should be identical in length and short compared to the side pieces
3. Affix the side pieces to the end pieces using wood glue to create the planter frame, and use a level to confirm the planter's angles and measurements are correct. Adjust if necessary.
4. Secure the side pieces to the end pieces using galvanized screws.
5. Measure and cut the bottom piece to fit the existing frame.
6. Drill drainage holes in the bottom piece to allow excess water to flow out of the box.
7. Affix the bottom piece to the frame using wood glue and use a level to confirm the angles and measurements. Adjust if necessary.
8. Secure the bottom piece to the frame using galvanized screws.
9. Cut a vinyl or nylon liner to fit the interior bottom of the box and insert it into your planter. This liner will prevent dirt and debris from leaking out of the drainage hole

Be sure to insulate your Cedar Containers with foam insulation before filling with potting soil so that your trees and shrub specimens can over winter in the box or containers After lining the container with the foam insulation , then put a layer of burlap material to separate foam from potting soil. Insulate with 3/4 inch Styrofoam material as shown below.

Cut the foam to line the interior of the container or box.

What I do, is break up the foam for the bottom so that the broken pieces of foam completely cover the bottom surface to allow for drainage.