DIY Network

Planting Boxes and Trellises Planting Boxes and Trellises From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-411

With the two benches built and in place (figure A), the next step is to construct the centerpieces of the garden: a series of planting boxes (figure B).

Figure A

Figure B

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Figure C

The large and small boxes are open squares or rectangles (the size is up to you) made of composite; the ends are simply butted, so no mitering is necessary. The medium box is constructed so that it can be fitted with a bottom after the boxes have been stacked (figure C).

Materials (small box -- sizes approximate)
Two 2x12s, 4' long
Two 2x12s, 3' long
Eight 3" galvanized screws

Materials (large box -- sizes approximate)
Two 2x12s, 7' long
Two 2x12s, 3' long
Eight 3" galvanized screws

For the open planters, simply overlap a long board and a short board and join the ends with four screws. Do this twice to make two L-shaped pieces and then join them to form a rectangle.

Materials (medium box -- sizes approximate)
Two 2x12s, 6' long
Two 2x12s, 3' long
Two 2x4s, 5'10" long
Two 2x4s, 2'10" long
3" galvanized screws

Figure D

This planter is built like the others except that it has an inner frame of 2x4s at the inside bottom that will support a floor. The floor is simply a series of 2x10 boards placed horizontally across the frame with a gap between them for drainage (figure D).

Expert tip: (Steve Gerischer, landscape designer) An important thing to remember when building a box out of composite material is to leave space between the slats at the bottom. It provides drainage for the plants as they grow.

Extra-Large Planter Box

Figure E

We also made one extra-large planter box to serve as an enclosure for some large planted citrus trees. It also is built out of a composite material because it will be in constant contact with soil and moisture. This box consists of two 2x8s 10' long and two 2x8s 4' long. These four boards are joined into a rectangular shape in the same way as the smaller planter boxes and then set in place (figure E).

Trellises

Mounted above the two benches, the trellises add visual interest to the garden and supply a place to hang tools and colorful plates.

The trellis over the sitting bench is built of three 2x2s, 6' long (for the vertical supports) and seven 1x3s, 7' long (for the horizontals). It's a good idea to predrill small material like this before running a screw through it to help prevent it from splitting.

1. Attach the vertical boards to the back of the bench, one in the middle and one at each end.

2. Starting at the top, attach a 1x3 horizontally across the 2x2 supports.

3. Finish the trellis by continuing to attach the 1x3s down the 2x2s with about a 6" gap between each one. To add a little more interest, stagger the ends of the 2x2s rather than lining them up in a straight line.

Figure F

The trellis over the potting bench is similarly built, with only one difference: use three 2x2s, 3' long, for the vertical supports and attach them to the wall above the bench using anchors and lag bolts (figure F).

When the trellises are finished, paint them with weather-resistant outdoor paint.

Time spent: 11 hours.

RESOURCES :

Ace Hardware Supplies
To locate the nearest Ace Hardware to your home, click here.
Ace Hardware
2200 Kensington Ct.
Oak Brook, IL 60523-2100
Toll-free: 866-290-5334
Website: www.acehardware.com

California Redwood Association
Website: www.calredwood.org

Plants from Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Website: www.monrovia.com

DeWalt power tools
DeWalt
Website: www.dewalt.com/us/core/

Soil amendments by Kellogg Garden Products
Kellogg Garden Products
Website: www.kellogggarden.com

Landscaping Services by D&J Landscaping
D & J Landscaping
E-mail: DJLandscaping@sbcglobal.net

Wood composite deck
The Trex Company
Website: www.trex.com

Outdoor fabric
Outdoor Fabrics
E-mail: info@outdoorfabrics.com
Website: www.outdoorfabrics.com

Sanitation Services
American Classic Sanitation
Website: www.americanclassicsanitation.com

Shellback spring chair (item #20217) and side table (item #20218)
Plow & Hearth
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: 434-977-3707
Website: www.plowhearth.com

GUESTS :
Steve Gerischer
Landscape designer
E-mail: sglarkspur@aol.com