How to Construct a Planter Box Caddy

A large wooden cart

Planter boxes are a great way to plant and display flowers around your home. They look beautiful attached to windowsills and along walkways. They are easy to maintain and can be moved around the yard as needed. Planter boxes allow people who may have difficulty working the soil to enjoy the many pleasures of gardening more easily. One disadvantage to a soil-filled planter box is that they can be heavy. A planter box caddy is a good way to move a soil-filled planter box from one place to another.

Things You'll Need

• 2 2-by-4-by-24-inch boards
• 2 2-by-4-by-45-inch boards
• 1 3/4-by-24-by-48-inch hardwood plywood panel
• 2 4-by-4-by24-inch wood posts
• 1 box, 2 1/2-inch coated deck screws
• Screw gun
• Drill
• 3/8-inch drill bit
• 4 3/8-by-4-inch lag bolts
• 3/8-inch wrench
• 4 6-inch utility wheels
• 2 2-by-4-by-10 ¼-inch boards
• 1 2-by-4-by-48-inch board
• 1 2-by-4-by-6-inch board
• 1 3/8-by-6-inch hardwood dowel
• Wood finish of your choice

Instructions

1. Position the two 2-by-4-by-24-inch boards parallel to each other on a work surface. Space them approximately 24 inches apart. Place the two 2-by-4-by-45-inch boards on the ends of the two 2-by-4-by-24-inch boards to form a box. Fasten the boards together using a screw gun and 2 ½-inch coated deck screws. Place the 3/4-by-24-by-48-inch hardwood plywood panel on top of the box. Fasten the panel to the box using a screw gun and screws. This is the box assembly of the caddy.

2. Fasten the 4-by-4-by-24-inch wood posts on each 24-inch end of the under side of the 3/4-by-24-by-48-inch hardwood plywood panel box assembly. Use a screw gun and 2 ½-inch coated deck screws to screw through the top of the panel into the posts.

3. Drill one inch deep into each end of the 4-by-4-by-24-inch wood posts. Align each of the wheels up to the holes. Fasten the wheels to each end of the posts with 3/8-by-4-inch lag bolts and a 3/8-inch wrench.

4. Center the 2-by-4-by-6-inch board on one end of the 2-by-4-by-48-inch board. Fasten the boards together using a screw gun and screws. Drill the opposite end of the 2-by-4-by-48-inch board with a 3/8-inch drill bit and drill up one inch from the edge. This forms the handle assembly of the caddy.

5. Drill a three inch deep hole in one end of each 2-by-4-by-10 ¼-inch board using a drill and 3/8-inch drill bit. Position each 2-by-4-by-10 ¼-inch board on the edge of one end of the caddy box assembly. There should be a 3 ½-inch space in between the boards. Slide the hardwood dowel into one end of the boards. Slide the dowel through the hole in the handle assembly. Slide the end of the other board into the dowel. Reposition it on the end of the caddy box assembly. Fasten the boards in place using screws and a screw gun.

6. Apply a wood finish of your choice to the planter box caddy. Follow the application instructions that came with the wood finish. Allow to dry fully before using the planter box caddy.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the caddy larger to make the caddy more versatile in other yard-related tasks.

• Always wear eye protection when woodworking.

• Follow wood finish safety precautions for safe use.

References

• Canadian Home Workshop: Rolling Plant Stand
• Vintage Projects: Home Garden Cart
• Garden Cart Blog

Resources

• Backwoods Home Magazine: Build a Homestead Copy Cart