How to Make Cement Garden Planters

Design your concrete planter. Make a rough sketch of the dimensions.

Create a wood frame of the appropriate dimensions out of the plywood. You will need a bottom piece and four sides, but no top. Nail the frame loosely together so that it is easy to disassemble when you are finished. This will be your outer frame.

Measure the inner dimensions of your frame. Create a second frame that is 4 inches shorter on each side, and 2 inches shorter in height. This will be your inner frame. Again, nail this frame together only enough to hold it together so that it too can be disassembled.

Coat both forms with the form oil. This will allow the frame to be removed easier.

Prepare the concrete mix in accordance with the directions on the bag of mix. Pour concrete into the outer frame to a depth of two inches to form the base of your planter.

Smooth the concrete with the trowel. Press the inner form down into the center of the concrete. Continue to pour the concrete into the area between the inner and outer form to create the planter walls. Tamp the concrete down as you pour.

Remove the forms from the bed after 24 hours and let the concrete set for one week. Keep the concrete damp while it is setting. Clean the form pieces immediately after removal so that they may be reused for future planters.