Add some curb appeal to your home with this DIY cedar planter box. These cedar planter box plans use a SnapFence frame that literally snaps together, making this a simple build even for new DIYers. If cedar isn’t your thing, you can easily customize the frame with a different material.
I am always a sucker for a great planter or flower pot. I couldn’t snatch up a swan planter quick enough at a yard sale the other day even though the guy selling it made sure to point out how badly the paint was chipping. I’ve also been on the lookout for a donkey flower pot ever since I spotted the most adorable one at a yard sale, but sadly they weren’t for sale.
I also love a great planter box that can pull double duty as an address marker.
This post is sponsored by SnapFence. All opinions are 100% mine.
Isn’t this one great? This DIY cedar planter was made using SnapFence components, which are rails and connections made of PVC that is built to withstand the elements and make outdoor building projects a whole lot easier.
Cedar Planter Box DIY
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For reference, the overall dimensions of my cedar planter box is 24″ high x 18″ deep x 36″ long.
Materials and Tools Needed:
- 6 – 20 1/2″ SnapFence Posts
- 4 – 14 /12″ SnapFence Rails
- 8 – 15 3/8″ SnapFence Rails
- 2 – Tees
- 4 – Four Way Tees
- 4 – Three Way Elbows
- 2 – Five Way Crosses
- 6 – SnapFence Ground Pilings (optional)
- Cement Board
- Rubber Mallet
- 10 Cedar Fence Pickets
- Clamps
- Liquid Nails Fuze It
- House Numbers (if desired)
- Cedar Planter Box Plans and Assembly Instructions – click here to download.
Steps
Step 1: Assemble the SnapFence frame.
Use the instructions found here to assemble the SnapFence frame for the planter. Working from the bottom up, use a rubber mallet to secure all the rails into the connectors. The video below shows how easy it is to build the frame.
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If you aren’t a video person, then you can use the photos below as a guide.
Literally, the instructions lay out exactly how to connect the frame. It took me less than 10 minutes to assemble the frame.
If you’re curious about how well the rails and connections truly stay snapped together, well I can assure you, they are pretty darn tight. In order for me to get both the video and photos of the process for you, I had to put the frame together, then take it apart and put it together all over again. (Yes, if I were a smart person, I would have stopped to take photos the first time around, but I forgot.) Anywho, I had to really bang on some of the rails and connections with my rubber mallet in order to get the frame broken down. This stuff is very well made and very secure when it’s put together.
Step 2: Attach the cement board.
Once you have your frame in place, use the included screws to attach the cement board (concrete board / backer board / whatever you want to call it) to the SnapFence frame.
Step 3: Finish the Planter Box.
At this point, you can choose to stucco the planter box, paint it or whatever else your little heart desires. I opted to clad mine with cedar planks.
You’ll want to start with the short sides of your planter box.
Place two uncut cedar planks along the bottom of each long side, flush against the cement board.
Measure the distance between the two planks and cut five cedar planks down to this size. For each cut, use a new cedar picket. Don’t cut again from the same picket. Instead, set these pickets aside and they will be long enough for the long sides of the cedar planter box.
Lay the planter box on the opposite short side you are working on.
Lay one of your cut cedar planks on the bottom of the short side. You want it to go past the cement board but not extend past the SnapFence PVC feet. Think of the cedar planks as “floating” just above the ground. Make sure there is roughly the same amount of plank hanging over on each side where the long side planks will eventually be placed.
Put Fuze It on the back of the cedar plank, then clamp into place.
Take the rest of your cut exterior wood boards, apply Fuze It to each of those, then line them up and lay them out across the rest of the exposed cement board on this side, pressing each firmly in place as you go.
Once you have them all in place, place a few heavy objects on top to help the glue get a good bond with the cement board.
Step 4
After a few hours, repeat Step 3 on the other short side of the cedar planter box.
Step 5
After both short sides have been clad with cedar planks, use the same process to cover the long sides of the planter box with cedar. This time when measuring to cut the cedar planks, you’ll just measure from end to end of the cedar boards on either short side, rather than between them.
Attach house numbers to the front of the planter if you wish.
Place the planter wherever you wish. I think it would look great beside a mailbox, on the front porch or near a garage.
Related: 10+ Creative Flower Pot Ideas
Fill with plants and enjoy! I opted to go with tall boxwoods for our planter. With big planter boxes like this, I like to always have something in them that will stay green all year long and then add in annuals as the seasons change. This cedar planter would also be great for planting bulbs in. If you don’t want to fill the entire planter with soil, then fill the bottom of the planter with plastic bottles and jugs to take up space.
If you want to protect the wood, then apply a coat or two of exterior water seal.
You can also use Snapfence post ground pilings that can be attached to the bottom connections and anchored into the ground. I opted to forgo those as after I got the entire thing put together it was pretty heavy as is – I couldn’t lift it by myself. I knew that filling it with dirt was only going to make it even heavier and keep it in place, so I didn’t think I needed those.
I love DIY planter boxes because you can customize them to your home’s exterior. This one is no different. If the cedar look isn’t your thing, you can absolutely go another route! Just think of the SnapFence frame as your blank canvas. 😉 SnapFence also makes lots of other Snap n Build kits like pet enclosures, garden walls, fence kits and more. And yep, you just snap ’em together. 🙂
What would you cover your planter frame with?
Want more outdoor project ideas and tips?
Creating a Cut Flower Garden – perfect for beginners!
DIY Painted Planter Pots – take basic planters and kick ’em up a notch!
Want to remember this planter for later? Just pin the image below!
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