How to Build a Kid's Vegetable Planter Box

A planter box can be a simplified way to introduce children to the basics of vegetable gardening. As the children explore growing their own produce and learn about the life cycle of plants, they can harvest fresh vegetables and take pride in having grown them. By building a small kid's vegetable planter box, the children in your life can start a hobby that can last with them for a lifetime.

Things You'll Need

• 2 boards, 1-by-10 inches, 2 feet long
• 2 boards, 1-by-10 inches, 4 feet long
• 4 stakes, 2-by-2 inches, 10 inches long
• Galvanized screws
• Drill
• ¾-inch plywood 2-by-4 feet
• ¼-inch drill bit
• Sandpaper
• 4 cubic feet of garden soil

Instructions

1. Arrange the boards so that they form a 2-by-4-foot rectangle that is 10 inches tall. Position the cut ends of the 2-foot boards to run flush along the sides of the 4-foot boards. Have someone hold the boards in place to maintain the box shape.

2. Hold a 2-by-2-inch stake upright and position it into one of the inside corners of the rectangular box.

3. Insert three evenly spaced screws with an electric drill through both the 4-foot and 2-foot boards into the stake.

4. Screw the three remaining stakes into each of the three remaining corners until the frame is secured.

5. Place the plywood sheet over the box and align its edges with the sides of the box.

6. Drill screws through the plywood sheet and into the frame of the box every 6 inches all the way around the frame.

7. Using a ¼-inch drill bit, drill four to six randomly placed holes in the middle and sides of the plywood sheet; these will serve as water drainage holes.

8. Flip the box over so that it rests on the plywood bottom. Sand the upper edges and corners of the box to smooth away any splinters.

9. Move the box to an area of level ground that is in full sun and easily accessible to children.

10. Fill the planter box with garden soil to within 1 inch from the top of the box and begin planting.

Tips & Warnings

• Use cedar wood for the frame of the planter box to take advantage of the wood's natural rot resistance.

• Encourage older kids to partake in building the planter with you; younger children should wait for the box to be completed.

References

• "Vegetable Gardening: Your Ultimate Guide"; Robert J. Dolezal; 2000
• "Growing Fruit and Vegetables"; Richard Bird; 2003