How do I Build a Planter Bench for Dummies?

You can create a planter bench for your garden with simple woodworking skills.

A planter bench is a bench as well as a planter. The bench sits between two containers that hold plants. The plants that the bench contains may include trees or shrubs, or it may contain smaller, decorative plants such as petunias. Although the idea of creating a planter bench may seem daunting, you can create a planter bench simply with a few woodworking skills.

Things You'll Need

• 1 piece of 4-by-8 foot, treated ¾-inch plywood
• T-square
• Compass
• Pencil
• Heavy cement planters
• Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Trim
• Wood glue
• Paint or stain
• Potting soil
• Plants

Instructions

1. Measure and divide the 4-by-8 foot plywood into four quadrants. Cut the plywood into quarters with the jigsaw.

2. Place the planters face-down on top of the plywood. Trace around the edge of the planters. Trace a second set of lines 2 inches inside the planters using the T square or a compass.

3. Cut along the inner lines with a jigsaw. Sand the plywood to ensure that all parts are smooth.

4. Measure and cut trim so that it fits exactly along all edges of the plywood. Glue the trim to the plywood with wood glue.

5. Stain or paint the wooden plank with a protective stain or outdoor paint.

6. Fill the planters with potting soil and place them in the location where you want your bench to sit.

7. Place the bench onto the planters so that the holes in the wooden plank are directly over the openings in the containers. The plants will grow through the bench.

References

• Sunset: Modern Planter Bench
• Ron Hazleton: How to Build a Planter Bench
• Adams All Natural Cedar: Planter Benches

Resources

• Plans Now: Garden Accessories Woodworking Plans