How to Make Planter Posts for String Lights

Extend the party into the night with these wood barrels made into planters with posts that hold string lights.

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April 04, 2018

Related To:

Skill Level

Estimated Cost $100

Time

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Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Tools and Materials

planter barrels
4x4 post
(4) bags Quikrete
water
shovel
C-hooks
string lights
flowers
potting mix

hand trowel
scrap wood
pneumatic nail gun
nails
air compressor
level
drill
drill bit
zip ties

Find all the tools and materials for this project at Lowes.com.

Step 1: Mix Concrete in Barrel

The concrete should fill about ½ to ¾ of the barrel to provide enough stability for the posts. Set planter barrel in place and mix the concrete in the barrel. We filled the barrel with about 8”-10” of concrete to a make a 16”-18” planter.

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Mix the concrete with water and shake the planter to ensure air bubbles in the mix rise to the top. If you are using several bags of concrete, it is easier to mix one at a time.

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Step 2: Insert Post

Set the 4x4 post in the center of the planter and check the level to make sure the post is not leaning.

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo by: Gary Payne

Gary Payne

Step 3: Support Post

Screw scrap wood to the post to hold it upright while the concrete is setting. Add another bag of concrete if necessary.

Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Step 4: Add Drainage Holes to Planter

Use a drill to make drainage holes just above the line of concrete.

Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Step 5: Fill With Soil and Plants

After the concrete has cured, add a layer of pebbles to help with drainage. Then fill the barrel with potting mix and selected flowers.

Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Mina Starsiak of Good Bones partners with Lowes. Not to be used for alternative clients/purposes.

Photo By: Gary Payne

Step 6: Add Hooks

At the top of the 4x4 post, pre-drill a hole for the C-hook that will hold the string lights. Insert a C-hook in each of the poles toward the top. Hang string lights from the C-hooks using zip ties to secure the lights to the hooks. Hang the lights around the perimeter of the space, crisscrossing the area if desired.