DIY Window Planter

You can grow a garden even if you don't have a backyard.

If you ever stare longingly out the window of your 19th-floor apartment and wish you had a backyard with a garden, don't despair; your dream of cultivating a bit of land and growing your own plants can still come true. Installing a window planter dresses up any window, be it on the first or the 40th floor, and creating it requires only a few tools. Whether you want to grow herbs like basil and thyme or a row of decorative snapdragons, you can do it from the comfort of your own window.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum gutter
• 1-inch sheet metal screws
• Electric screwdriver
• Hammer
• Nails
• Silicon caulk
• Soil
• Plant seeds

Instructions

1. Poke a few small holes into the bottom of an aluminum gutter using a hammer and nails. The gutter should be no longer than the width of your window; otherwise, it may be difficult to access the ends of it. Use a gutter that is as short as or shorter than the width of the window.

2. Position the gutter so that the lip is on the inside of your windowsill.

3. Screw the gutter into place on the inside of your windowsill using sheet metal screws and an electric screwdriver. Place the screws about three inches apart, screwing into the inside of your windowsill, not your actual wall.

4. Cover the screw heads with silicon caulk for extra reinforcement. The caulk helps seal the screw in place and prevents you from snagging clothing on the head of the screw.

5. Fill the gutter with soil and plant your seeds. Water them regularly, as plants in containers require more water than those in the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the drainage holes you poked with the hammer and nails are at least 1/2-inch from the wall of your building. This prevents water from dripping down the wall of your building and damaging its finish.

• Dress up your gutter with embellishments like paint or driftwood.

• Be careful not to overfill your gutter; if it's too heavy, use potting mix instead of genuine soil. Watch to see if your gutter sags or the aluminum bends; these are signs that the gutter is too heavy. A gutter that is too heavy may break, pull out the screws holding it in place or splinter the windowsill.

References

• Southern Living: Window Box Basics
• Apartment Therapy: Look! DIY Windowsill Planter
• Country Living: Creative Window Boxes

Resources

• Martha Stewart: Window Boxes