How to Build a Basic Wooden Flower Box
You’ll first need to figure out what size your flower box will be. Naturally, it will look the best if it’s the length of the window you’re going to fasten it in. You’ll also need to choose a pressure-treated type of wood to build it with. Pine wood, for example, is easy to work with, but it’s soft, and it doesn’t hold up well in the weather even if it’s painted or stained. Your best bet is to choose pressure-treated Cedar, or another type of hardwood to build with.
Remember, as you build your own wooden flower box by using these instructions, you’ll need to make it as large or as small as your window is. For the purpose of writing this article, the example that will be built will measure 26X13 inches in diameter. Scale down, or add to these measurements to build your own size by remembering that the length will be twice the width.
To build a basic wooden flower box, you’ll need four strips of pressure-treated wood that measure 26″ long and are 1-2 inches around. You’ll also need four 13″ long strips of wood the same size around. Lay the pieces of wood out into a rectangular shape; the shorter pieces are the ends. They will need to be inside the longer pieces so the box retains its measurements.
Then, use an electric drill with a bit that’s designed for wood to bore a hole into each corner. Use galvanized wood screws to fasten the pieces together at the corners. (Galvanized screws won’t rust when they’re exposed to the elements.)
Repeat this process with the other two 26″ and 13″ pieces of pressure-treated hardwood. You now have the top and the bottom frames to build your basic wooden flower box with.
Now, the next step is to secure the wooden side panels to the flower box. The two panels will need to measure the same 26X13 inches. They will fit over the wooden frame, and not inside. Position the first side panel of the wooden flower box in place across the top of the first frame. Line the top and the sides up so the side panels don’t extend past the edges of the frame.
Use an electric drill and galvanized wood screws to secure the panel to the frame. Repeat this process with the second side of the basic wooden box as well.
Stand the flower box on one end so you can continue to build it. The two end pieces of pressure-treated wood for your flower box will measure 13X13 inches square. They too will need to be positioned over the end of the frame so their edges don’t extend past the edges of the frame. To secure the ends of the flower box to the frame, again use an electric drill and galvanized wood screws. Repeat this process with the second end of the wooden box as well.
The final piece of the basic flower box will be the bottom. Before you attach it to the frame, you should use the electric drill to bore several holes in the perimeter of it. Position the holes so they are approximately an eighth of an inch in size and are three to four inches apart. These holes will allow rain, melted snow, and excess water from giving the plants a drink to drain out of the bottom of the wooden flower box. This will help prevent standing water that adds to deterioration of the wood.
Once the drain holes are bored, place the bottom piece of pressure-treated wood on the frame. Align it, then attach it by using galvanized wood screws.
To finish building the basic wooden flower box, you should sand any rough edges of the wood. Use a small broom to remove any wood dust. Then, you can either paint or stain the finished box to your liking.
To jazz up your flower box, you can also use stencils to add designs to the front side.
And finally, to attach the basic wooden flower box to your house, make sure you use support brackets that will support the weight of the box, plus the contents. Visit your local home supply store to find suitable brackets.
Once you attach your basic wooden flower box to your house, you can add a layer of small-sized gravel to the bottom before you add your plants. The gravel will help provide adequate drainage.
