How to Make Patio Flower Boxes
Patio flower boxes are used to grow flowers or plants that accent the perimeter of a patio. Flower boxes can be made of wood, metal, terra cotta or ceramic. These boxes can be attached to the front of a closed-in patio, or they can sit on platforms around an open patio. Homemade patio flower boxes are fun to make and are a great gift idea. Here are two ideas for making patio flower boxes. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- For wooden patio flower box:
- One piece of 1/2 inch plywood, 24 by 8 inches
- Two pieces of 1/2 inch plywood, 24 by 5 1/2 inches
- Two pieces of 1/2 inch plywood, 8 by 9 inches
- One plastic flower box liner
- Miter saw
- Wood glue
- Wood screws
- Screwdriver
- Enamel paint and paintbrush
- Drill with 1/4 bit
- Wood clamps
- For metal patio flower box:
- Three large coffee cans
- Four small 1/2 inch long bolts with washers and nuts
- Drill with 1/4 inch bit
- Spray paint
Instructions
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Wooden Patio Flower Box
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1
For drainage, drill ¼ holes every 2 inches in the 24 x 8 inch piece of plywood, forming the bottom of the flower box.
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2
Using the miter saw, cut a 60 degree angle on each edge of the bottom. Cut the same angle in the edges of the 24 x 5 ½ inch pieces (the sides of the flower box). When you put the three pieces together, the sides should be angled out from the bottom.
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3
Cut the 8-by-9-inch pieces on the 9-inch sides at a 20 degree angle, then cut 60 degree angles on these two edges and the narrower edge. After cutting, the pieces should look like trapezoids (a four-sided figure that is wider on one end than the other---the wider end is the top of the flower box).
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4
Glue the five pieces of plywood together, using clamps to hold them.
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5
Use six screws, evenly spaced on either side of the bottom to tighten, and three on either side of both ends, making sure there is a screw at each corner. Let the glue dry.
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6
Paint the box inside and out with enamel paint to help provide a weather resistant finish.
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7
To help prevent wood rot and make transplanting easier, place the plastic liner inside the patio flower box and plant flowers or plants in the liner.
Metal Patio Flower Box
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8
For drainage, drill four ¼ inch holes in the bottoms of the 3 coffee cans.
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9
Drill a ¼ hole through the side near the top and bottom of two of the cans, lining the holes up in each can.
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10
Drill ¼ holes through both sides near the top and bottom of one of the cans, lining the holes up with the holes in the other two cans.
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11
Lining holes up between the three cans, push the bolts through from one hole on the inside of one can to the inside of the can in the middle and tighten with washers and nuts. Do the same for the other can. When finished, the three cans should be bolted together with the washers and nuts facing the inside of the middle can.
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12
Decorate the cans with spray paint appropriate for metal, such as paint used for vehicles.
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1
Tips & Warnings
The slant of the sides in the wooden patio flower box does not have to be 60 degrees. You can use any angle from 46 degrees to 89 degrees. You can experiment with scrap pieces of wood until you get the angle you want.
Use safety glasses when using any power tools, especially when drilling metal.
