How to Build a Deck Railing Planter Box

For the most integrated way to grow your plants and have them connected to your deck, you can easily and quickly build a deck railing planter box. It's so easy you can build several in one day, and each one of them will be solid, sturdy and ready for planting. Then, when you are sitting on your deck and enjoying the scenery, you can also enjoy your "hanging" garden. We will use a basic design size of 3 feet by 1 foot, but you can vary this size according to your needs.

Things You'll Need

• 1 3-foot by 8 foot cedar board, 1 inch thick
• 2 3-foot by 6-inch cedar boards, 1 inch thick
• 2 6-inch by 6-inch cedar boards, 1 inch thick
• A screw gun
• A box of 2 inch self threading screws
• A drill with a ¼ inch wood bit

Instructions

1. Create the first angle of your box.
   Place your 3-foot cedar boards on the edges of the 3 foot by 8-inch cedar board. Make sure the edges are flush along both sides, then using the screw gun and screws, attach the boards from the bottom. You will now have two sides of a 6 inch wide box.

2. Screw in the two 6-inch by 6-inch cedar boards on the open sides. First attach them to the base, and then to the sides of the 3-foot boards. You now have a 6-inch wide by 3-foot long cedar box.

3. Drill holes through the bottom of the box for drainage. Stagger these holes across the entire bottom. They should all be about 2 inches apart.

4. Attach the box to the deck in the location of your choice. Using the 2 inch screws and screw gun, attach this box to any part of the railing you want, making sure it is flush with the top. After that, fill with dirt and plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on what you plan to plant, locate your box in the appropriate place for the plant -- either full sun, partial sun or mostly in the shade.

• Always use cedar boards for planter boxes like this, because treated boards can poison your plants.