How to Build an Off-the-Ground Planter

Raised planter boxes prevent soil erosion and promote optimum water drainage. Take your raised planter box a step further and elevate it above the ground. Create your aboveground planter box by adding table-like legs to a standard wooden planter box. The table legs bring the box up to a more comfortable level and eliminate the need to bend down or work on your knees. Make the legs as high as you need for optimum accessibility.

Tape measure
Saw
1-inch by 4-inch boards
1-inch by 2-inch boards
3/4-inch plywood
220-grit sandpaper
Wood glue
Drill
Wood screws
Finish nails (optional)
Hammer (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Calculate the dimensions of your planter box, including the width, length and height. Use measurements that are divisible by 4. The depth of the box itself will measure 14 inches.
- 2
  Saw eight 1-inch by 4-inch boards to lengths equaling the planned width of the planter box. Saw eight more boards to lengths equal to the planned length of the planter box, for a total of 16 boards for the planter box walls.
- 3
  Make the planter box legs. Cut two 1-inch by 4-inch boards for each leg, for a total of 8 boards. Cut the boards to a length equaling the planned height of the planter box.
- 4
  Cut four 1-inch by 2-inch trim boards to line the lips of the planter box. Cut two of the boards to equal the width of the planter box minus 3 inches, and two of the boards to equal the length of the planter box plus 3 inches.
- 5
  Cut a bottom for the planter out of 3/4-inch plywood. Cut the bottom with dimensions measuring 2 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the planter box dimensions. The plywood bottom will fit on the bottom of the finished planter, not inside of it. Drill several large drainage holes through the bottom piece.
- 6
  Align the boards for each wall, “stacking” each set of four boards in horizontal orientation. Place the leg boards vertically along the outer edges of each wall section with the tops of the leg boards flush with the top edge of each wall. Glue and screw together the wall boards and the leg boards.
- 7
  Sand all cut edges with 220-grit sandpaper.
- 8
  Assemble the wall sections with the table legs facing out into a box formation. Screw the bottom board to the underside of the box, between the legs. Drill corresponding pilot holes and screw the corners together.
- 9
  Stand the planter box up. Center and place the trim boards along the top edge of the planter box. Drive screws or nails through the trim and into the top planter box boards and leg boards.
- 10
  Line the inside of the planter with black plastic to prevent leakage. Poke holes in the plastic that correspond with the holes in the plywood bottom.

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