Pine Sleeper Planter Box

Before:                                                                    After: 

Planter box

I wanted a planter box with 1m width, 400mm depth and around 400mm height that has wheels so that it can be moved easily.

Here's how it was made...


1. Cut timber according to the following lengths:

10 pieces of 1m length pickets
25 pieces of 400mm length pickets
4 pieces of treated pine of 325mm length
2 pieces of treated pine of min. 900m length (to be measured and cut prior to fixing)

I used cypress pine pickets which I find better than standard pine decking timber, and also has the beautiful natural wood grain. For the 65mm by 22mm x 1.5m they cost $3.40, while the merbau pickets (pre-oiled) 70mm x 19m x 0.9m costs $3.45.

2. Place 5 front pieces of 1m length across the 325mm treated pine. Pre-drill & countersink before screw in.

Make 2 of this, i.e. for the front and back of planter box.


3. Place length-wise vertically and fix 400mm pickets.

4. Place the other planter box front piece and fix the 400mm sides onto it

5. Turn over and fix the other 400mm side pieces.

6. Measure the inside and cut treated pine pieces to be fixed as support for the base

7. Fix pickets as slates across bottom

8. Install wheels (optional), with at least 2 wheels with brakes.

9. Staple soil liner to the inside.  (This prevents soil from coming out through the sides of the planter box.). For this I used 900mm x 1.5m.

That's it.

Canvas painting frame and canvas stretching for artworks

1. Measure and cut wood using mitre angle at 45°

2. Apply wood glue and use a clamp to hold pieces together until glue dries

3. Use a staple gun to nail wood pieces together

Fix corner wood pieces to add extra stability to the frame.

4. Now the frame is done, staple canvas on one end then stretch it before stapling other end

5. The final step is to fix a string or wire for hanging

So that's it. Easy.

Planter box for bamboo

Many types of bamboo are known for excessive growth leading to challenge of maintaining and preventing overcrowding  other plants. 

One option is to plant your bamboo in a large planter box. 

For this project,  I wanted a planter box with the dimensions:

1500mm width
400mm height
300mm depth

1. Timber supplies 

I used Treated Pine Fence Paling (100mm  x 1.5m) as they are cheap and easy to work with.  So i worked out i needed:

4 x 2 planks for front and back
3 planks for bottom
8 x 300mm for sides

I bought a total of 13 fence paling at $1.47 each. 

For the 4 posts as support (400mm length), i also bought 2 pieces of 1m treated pine offcuts at $1 each. 

Total cost for this planter box is $21 plus screws.

2. Measure and cut to size

3. Fix the pieces of timber together

First put together the front and back using galvanised screws.

Then fix the sides. 

Consider fixing weed mat or any plastic on the sides to prevent soil from coming out.

Lastly turn it upside down to nail in the bottom.  Drill some holes at the bottom to allow excess water to flow out. 

4. Add soil and plant the bamboo

I only needed to plant one bamboo as it will very quickly multiply. 

Rainwater tank installation

1. Get a water drum or rainwater tank. (The Maze 100L MiniTank costs $80 while a new 60L water drum costs around $30). Used 220L water drums are sold on Gumtree for around $20.

2. Drill two 25mm holes, one near the top for an inlet and another near the bottom for a tap.

3. Buy the Maze water tank downpipe diverter set ($15). 

This set comes with inlet connection fittings that is inserted from inside the water tank/drum. (As my water drum was sealed, I used a coat hanger to insert the inlet connection fitting inside the tank - see pictures below).

4. Fit a tap at the lower hole. (A plastic tap costs $5). Remember to apply threadseal tape and sealant to prevent leaks.  

5. Using a hacksaw, cut a 30mm gap in your downpipe at the correct height, as per the Maze product's instructions. 

6. Place the diverter in the gap of the downpipe. 

7. Connect the hose that was included in the Maze water diverter set and "Voila !"

Retaining wall and steppers

1. Use shovel to dig up soil to form/levels required

2. Prepare sand cement and apply cement as base foundation





3. Lay bricks and pavers as required

Fence decoration

Before:

Recycling an old table top: