Get step-by-step instructions for building an inexpensive raised garden bed.
Looking to build a garden planter box without breaking the bank? In this article, we’ll explore a cost-effective solution that uses minimal wood and repurposes old materials. With lumber prices skyrocketing, this project is an excellent alternative for those looking to save money while still creating a functional and attractive garden box.
The planter box will measure four feet by eight feet by two feet deep and will utilize corrugated roofing as the sides of the box. The planter will also require a small amount of wood, and the article will discuss options for sourcing this material, including using reclaimed wood or pallet wood. Additionally, the article will cover the process of cutting the wood and corrugated metal, as well as the assembly of the planter box.
Key Takeaways
- This article provides a cost-effective solution for building a garden planter box using minimal wood and repurposed materials.
- The planter box utilizes corrugated roofing as the sides and requires a small amount of wood, which can be sourced from various options.
- The article covers the process of cutting the wood and corrugated metal, as well as the assembly of the planter box.
Materials Overview
The speaker in the video plans to build a garden planter that is four feet by eight feet by two feet deep. Due to the high cost of wood, the speaker intends to use as little wood as possible. For the sides of the box, the speaker plans to use corrugated roofing, which is cheap and costs around $15 for a two-foot by eight-foot section. Additionally, the speaker has purchased three strips of drip rail, which will be used for the project. The speaker will also use some cypress 4x4s, which were saved from an old playset. However, the speaker assures the viewers that they can use any type of wood, including pallet wood or wood found behind someone’s shed, as they will only need a small amount of wood for the project.
To provide structural support, the speaker plans to use four-by-fours in the corners of the bed. The speaker will mark out the 26 and 3/16 inches on the four-by-fours and cut them with a saw. The sides of the box will be notched out with a saw, and the corrugated metal will be screwed into the four-by-fours. The speaker recommends being careful when cutting reclaimed wood to avoid hitting screws or nails and ruining the saw blades.
The speaker advises against buying pressure-treated lumber for the project, as pine or fir will last a long time and pressure-treated lumber may not be safe for use in planter boxes. Finally, the speaker will use a cordless jigsaw to split the sheet of corrugated metal in half and use sandpaper or a file to smooth out the edges.
Reuse of Old Cypress
In order to build a garden box with as little wood as possible, the speaker attempted to figure out a way to do it without using any wood at all. However, saving old cypress from the girls’ playset from years ago turned out to be a wise decision. Even though it has been a pain to store, the speaker is going to use it for the garden planter box. The speaker guarantees that even if someone does not have cypress 4x4s hanging around their house, they can find the tiny amount of wood they need for this project, even if they have to use pallet wood or wood behind someone’s shed.
The cypress 4x4s will be used in the corners of the bed to provide structural support. The speaker marked out the 26 and 3/16 inches on the 4x4s and cut them using a chop saw, circular saw, or hand saw. It is important to be careful when cutting reclaimed wood to ensure there are no screws or nails that could cause injuries.
The speaker used corrugated metal roofing for the sides of the box, which is cheaper than wood. To close the edges in and prevent injuries, the speaker cut notches in the metal using a saw set at 2 and 1/4 inches and a depth of 5/8 inches. It is important to be patient and follow the pattern when cutting the metal.
The speaker also recommends using pine or fur instead of pressure-treated lumber for the planter box, as they will last a long time. While government agencies have deemed pressure-treated lumber safe, the speaker advises against using it for planter boxes that will be used for growing food.
Overall, reusing old cypress can be a cost-effective and sustainable option for building garden planter boxes.
Starting the Planter Box
In this section, the speaker explains how to start building a planter box that is 4 feet by 8 feet by 2 feet deep. To minimize the use of wood, the speaker has decided to use corrugated roofing, which is cheap and costs around $15 for a 2-foot by 8-foot section. The sides of the box will be made out of the corrugated roofing, and the speaker has also purchased drip rail to use in the project. However, a small amount of wood is still needed for the project. The speaker suggests using reclaimed wood or pallet wood, as only a tiny amount of wood is required for the planter box.
To provide structural support, four-by-four cypress posts will be placed in the corners of the bed. The speaker verifies that the posts are 26 and 3/16 inches tall and marks out the measurements on the posts. The posts can be cut using a chop saw, circular saw, or hand saw, but the speaker chooses to use a saw to avoid creating dust in the shop. Before cutting the posts, the speaker checks for screws or nails in the reclaimed wood to avoid ruining the saw blades or injuring themselves.
Next, the speaker explains how they will cut notches into the posts to hold the corrugated roofing in place. The speaker marks the depth of the roofing and cuts notches into the posts using a saw set at two and a quarter inches and a depth of 5/8 inch. The speaker advises being careful when cutting the notches to avoid cutting the wrong piece off.
Finally, the speaker splits a sheet of corrugated metal in half for each end of the planter box using a cordless jigsaw. The speaker notes that tin snips can also be used for this task. The speaker also advises against using pressure-treated lumber for the planter box, as pine or fur will last a long time.
Cutting the Wood
In this section, the speaker explains how to cut the wood for the garden planter box. The planter box is made of corrugated roofing sheets, drip rail, and a few cypress 4x4s for structural support. The speaker emphasizes that they tried to use as little wood as possible due to the high price of wood in the current market. They also advise caution when cutting reclaimed wood to avoid hitting screws or nails.
To begin, the speaker marks out the height of the 4x4s and cuts them to size using a saw. They then measure the depth of the roofing sheets and mark out notches on the 4x4s to fit the sheets. The speaker sets the saw to a depth slightly deeper than the thickness of the corrugated metal and cuts out the notches.
The speaker also shares their preference for cypress wood due to its durability and beauty. They caution against using green lumber for indoor projects and advise against using pressure-treated lumber for planter boxes.
Finally, the speaker demonstrates how to cut the corrugated roofing sheets using a jigsaw and a hacksaw blade. They split the sheets in half and sand the edges to smooth them out.
Discussion on Wood Types
The speaker in the video discusses the types of wood he will be using for his garden planter box project. Due to the high cost of wood, the speaker aims to use as little wood as possible. The sides of the box will be made from corrugated roofing, which is cheap and readily available. The speaker also acquired drip rail strips for use in the project.
Despite his efforts to minimize the use of wood, the speaker notes that he will still need some for the project. He decided to use cypress 4x4s that he had saved from his daughter’s old playset. He recommends using reclaimed or pallet wood if cypress is not available. The speaker emphasizes that only a small amount of wood is needed for the project, and it should be easy to find.
For the corners of the garden planter box, the speaker will use the cypress 4x4s to provide structural support. He notes that the wood should be free of screws or nails to prevent injury during cutting. The speaker also mentions that fresh milled lumber has its place, but it should not be used for indoor projects as it will warp as it dries. He advises against using pressure-treated lumber for planter boxes, as it may not be safe for growing plants.
Overall, the speaker’s approach to using wood in the garden planter box project is resourceful and cost-effective. By using alternative materials and only a small amount of wood, he is able to minimize the impact of high wood prices on his project.
Cutting the Corrugated Metal
To build a planter that is four foot by eight foot by two foot deep, the speaker has decided to use corrugated roofing for the sides of the box. The corrugated roofing is cheap, costing around $15 for a two foot by eight foot section. To provide structural support, four by fours will be placed in the corners of the bed. The speaker has reclaimed cypress 4x4s from an old playset and will be using them for this project. If one does not have cypress 4x4s, the speaker assures that a tiny amount of wood can be found even if it means using pallet wood or wood behind somebody’s shed.
To avoid snagging clothes or injuring oneself, the speaker will use drip rail to close the edges of the corrugated metal. The drip rail will be cut to size using a saw set to two and a quarter inches for the cut and a depth of 5/8, which is slightly deeper than the thickness of the corrugated metal. The speaker advises being careful when cutting out the pattern as cutting the wrong piece off is a common mistake.
The speaker has measured the depth of the roofing to be 9/16 and will come in 9/16 and figure out how far over to go. The notches will be cut out by setting the saw up at two and a quarter inches and a depth of 5/8. The speaker advises checking for screws or nails in reclaimed wood before cutting as hitting a screw or nail can injure oneself or ruin the saw blade.
To split the sheet of corrugated metal in half for each end, the speaker will use a cordless jigsaw from Milwaukee with a hacksaw blade. The edges of the metal will be sanded or filed down as needed. The speaker advises using tin snips if preferred.
Planter Box Assembly
The speaker in the video plans to build a planter box that is four feet by eight feet by two feet deep. To save on wood costs, the sides of the box will be made out of corrugated roofing, which is cheaper than wood. The speaker will also use drip rail to help build the box. However, some wood will be needed for structural support. The speaker suggests using reclaimed wood or finding small amounts of wood from various sources.
The planter box will have four-by-four cypress wood pieces in the corners for structural support. The speaker marks out the height of the corrugated roofing on the wood and cuts out notches using a saw. The depth of the notches is slightly deeper than the thickness of the corrugated metal.
To split the corrugated metal in half for each end, the speaker uses a cordless jigsaw with a hacksaw blade. The speaker recommends using sandpaper or a file to smooth out any rough edges.
The speaker advises against using pressure-treated lumber for the planter box and suggests using pine or fur wood instead. The speaker also warns against using green lumber for indoor projects as it may warp as it dries.
Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of finding cost-effective solutions for building the planter box and using materials that are safe and durable.