Good morning!

I thought for sure staying home would afford me a “routine” to blog regularly and finish projects! Ha! We are settling in and adjusting and LOVING this new schedule but fortunately, photography has been very busy in August! This has been a HUGE blessing because this is how I can help supplement our one teacher salary. I am BEYOND grateful!

But, it’s also like I’m writing two blogs because the Sugar Snap website has a blog that I love adding to in order to share the sweet stories of the families I meet!

However, because of the time involved, I may get to it and not always post consistently here…but then I remind myself, that blog is what is helping us make it each month so I can be home with these wild boys!

I have been dying to share these planters Russ made though because they were easy and inexpensive, of course, but I’ve wanted them for a couple of years…ever since we spotted them at the beach when Kuy gave up his pacis. DIY Planter (2 of 8)

Our goal was having some sort of planter that would help close in this awkward space we have in the backyard.

See…I think residents that lived here prior to us parked back here, but we park beside the house and let the boys play back here! Plus, this is right beside where the treehouse is and I didn’t want cars blocking our view! This picture is before we had done ANYTHING to the backyard or deck! See where my dad’s truck is parked? That awkward pad has been such an eyesore and I’ve tried for two years to figure out what to do with it. Finally, this year, we had a little bit of vision, even though we want to do more!

(written by Russ)

Materials:

2 Sheets 4’X8’X15/32” Plywood
1 ½” Wood Screws
3 2X4X8’
8 Casters
1 1X2X8’ Cleat

The Process

Thankfully the good people in the Wood Cutting Area were able to take care of the first step by cutting 8 sheets of 24”X48” plywood. For each box, you will use all 4 strips of the plywood.

Part I. Making the Box

Measure to make sure that the length of the plywood is 48”. From there cut two 48” segments of your 2X4. Lay the 2X4 on the ground, placing the plywood sheet on top.
Make sure the plywood sits directly on the 2X4 with no overhang.
Using the 1 ½ screws, screw the plywood sheet into the 2X4’s.
Measure the distance between the 2X4’s on each open end of the plywood. Cut another segment of 2X4 to fit on each end. Just as in the step before, screw the plywood onto the 2X4.

You should now have one side of your box completed. Repeat the same steps with another sheet of plywood and 2X4. Once you have two sides completed, you are ready to join each side together.

Cut one sheet of 24”X48” plywood in half. This will serve as the end pieces of your box. Place the newly cut piece of plywood against the two sides of the boxes (always wear safety glasses!).
Place the sides apart from each other to the point where the 24”X24” piece of plywood fits perfectly at all four points.
Screw the plywood into the exposed 2X4 from the side pieces of the box.
Decide what side you will be using for your base. Measure the appropriate size 2X4 cut and screw this piece into place. It is important to have a 2X4 all around the bottom in order to support the casters.

After you have completed one side of the box, repeat the same steps above for the other end piece of the planter.

Part II. Making the Bed

The planters will be 24” deep once they have been completed. Most people would not want to pay the money to fill a box this large with dirt and potting soil. Decide where to place the bed of your planter. We decided 8” was deep enough for our planter but in hindsight, probably should’ve gone a little bit deeper.

Measure the width of the box. Make a cut in your 1X2 at the width of the box.
Using pre-drilled holes on the outside of the box, line up your cleat inside the box, using the pilot holes to help position the cleat.
Place one screw into each cleat from the outside of the box, through the pilot hole.
Repeat this step until you have placed three cleats, at 16” apart throughout the planter.
Measure the inside area of the planter. Using a 24”X48” sheet of plywood, cut to the inside area dimensions of the box.
Place the plywood down on the cleats. Screw the plywood into place on top of the support cleats.
Also, it is important during this step to take a 1/2 “ drill bit and drill holes in the bed you’ve created in your plywood. This allows the water to drain after watering your plants. It will also take some of the weight off the plywood and cleats.

Part III. Making it Move

Flip the box upside down so that the bottom of the box (the part with 2X4 all the way around) is showing.
Place your casters in each corner of the box. Using the same screws, put a screw into each caster support hole.
Repeat this step for all four casters.

Part IV. Making it Pretty

Once your planter box is completed add dirt, sand, potting soil and the plants, flowers, shrubs of your choice. Enjoy!