DIY Network

Web Extras: Making a Window Box and Planting Tips From "Garden Sense" episode DGAR-112

Finished Window Box

Jenny Hudson lives in a 19th century Italianate-style duplex in a large historic district. Her friend and neighbor, Bruce Murray, built a window box for her side a year ago, but the duplex looks lopsided with only one window box. So we asked Bruce to construct a second one for the window on the other side so that the house will look even and symmetrical.

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Bruce says his custom window box is designed for homes, especially historic styles, where you may not want to drill into the masonry of the windowsill to mount the box. The box requires a windowsill at least 5 inches deep. If your windowsills are narrower than 5 inches, you may want to find another alternative to these types of window boxes.

Materials:
A. 1—1 X 8 cedar or pine board. Length appropriate for windowsill (Bottom)
B. 2 —1 X 8 cedar or pine boards, identical length as A. (Sides)
C. 1 —1 X 8 X 20-inch cedar or pine board. (Ends)
D. 1— 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 treated pine boards, about 15" long. (Supports)
Wood screws
Exterior glue
Exterior paints including wood primer

Tools:
Table saw
Radial saw
Screw gun (for screws) or hammer (if nails are used)
Pencil
Protractor – for measuring angles
Safety glasses
Orbital sander
Sandpaper – for hand sanding the interior of the box

Procedure:

1. Cut the three longer boards (sides and bottom) to the same length – about 1 inch shorter than the width of the windowsill.
   
2. In the box pictured, the front board is angled to allow plants to easily hang over the edge. To achieve the angle, cut one edge of the bottom board to a seven-degree angle from vertical, so the front leans forward from the box.
   
3. Cut an identical angle in the top edge of the board, which will serve as the front of the box. When the top edge is mounted to the bottom, the angled edge should be on the top of the front board and parallel to the bottom.
   
4. Attach sides to the bottom using exterior wood screws or nails. Exterior glue is recommended for additional strength.
   
5. Trace the ends of the box onto board "C" and cut the boards to size.
   
6. Attach the ends using screws or nails and exterior glue.
   
7. Fit the box to the windowsill and mark the bottom of the box at the edge of the windowsill.
   
8. Cut two pieces to length from board "D" to fit, from the bottom of the box to 3 inches below the bottom of the windowsill.
   
9. Measure the entire length of the box on the bottom. Mark one-fourth the distance from each end. Screw and glue the supports to the bottom of the box, each centered on the mark.
   
10. Cut two 6-inch lengths from board "D" and attach these with screws to the supports just below the bottom of the windowsill. These should fit against the wall of the house.
    
11. Drill 4 one-inch holes through the bottom of the box along the front edge to allow for water drainage.
    
12. Lightly sand the interior and exterior of the box to prepare for paint.
    
13. Prime the entire box with one coat of exterior wood primer followed with a coat or two of exterior paint designed for wood. Lightly sand between coats.
    
14. Mount the box on the windowsill using the supports that hold the box against the house.

Bruce Murray
April 2005

How to care for plants and shrubs in an urban environment

• Provide adequate water.
  
• Mulch to keep the roots moist.
  
• Prune, if needed.
  
• Fertilize to correct nutrient deficiencies.
  
• Control pests.

Tree Transplanting Tips

• Never pick up a tree by its limbs
  
• Get as much of the root system as you can
  
• Replace it as soon as possible

Gardening by Zip Code If you're looking to start a gardening projectbut don't know your gardening zone—visit the National Gardening Associations's USDA Hardiness Zone Finder. Enter your Zip Code to identify the proper zone.

RESOURCES :

A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants
American Horticultural Society
Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc.
ISBN 0-7566-0616-0
Website: www.dk.com