Do-it-yourself planters
Back in 2016, I set out with a dream to transform our then garden pavilion into more than just a place where we can eat and lounge. The many windows make the house almost a greenhouse. We have tried pots and zinc tubs with both plants and vegetables, but after a few months it always went wrong. The temperature in the pavilion became so high that we had to water every day, which we often forgot. The solution to the problem was that we bought capillary boxes, where water is added automatically. There I discovered that the various ready-made solutions for camouflaging these boxes are really ugly and do not fit properly in the measurements at all. It was the basis for one of the more practical DIY articles. It should then be possible to make some boxes that combine the practical irrigation system with the aesthetic one. Now Ole, our handyman, had to step in and help. The solution was to make wooden boxes covered with pearl spots. The boxes were made to fit exactly to a plant bag and to the irrigation system. The boxes were tall enough to hide everything and look like a regular planter box. On top of the plant bag we covered with a thin layer of soil. The boxes were on wheels and could therefore be easily moved around, depending on whether the plants needed sun or shade for periods.
It is absolutely amazing what such a lush corner in the pavilion does. It both smells lovely and creates a fantastic atmosphere. The boxes were planted with tomatoes, chillies, strawberry plants and lots of herbs. It also resulted in a single clematis. We were actually surprised at how quickly the plants grew out there. We bought them all as tiny babies at a nursery and within a month they really looked like something. The light curtain was put up so that the plants would not be burnt in the bright sunlight. Despite the fact that there were no windows in the roof, plenty of sunlight came into the room, and it could well be just enough for the plants. That's why it was nice to shield a bit. Normally you would whitewash the windows, but we think it was cozier and nicer to put up thin lace curtains. The shelters can be made in many different materials, playwood with or without tracks, boards possibly old pallet boards, profile boards etc. We chose profile boards, here perlestaff (perlespot).
How to make your planter box:
Start by measuring the size of your watering can or planter. Or decide on the size you want the box to be, if you just want to use it for regular plant bags You must measure the width and length and decide on a height. Add 4 cm to all measurements. This should be the inside measurement of the finished box.
Depending on the materials you have chosen, you need to think about how things will be screwed together in the corners and what finish you want. We have chosen to make ours with a corner profile and horizontal strips at the top and bottom, which form a frame where the profile boards can be mounted. It gives a beautiful look, especially because all the end wood is hidden. We have chosen to use pearl spot for our planters, as it fits the style perfectly.
The upper list is made thinner than the lower one. It gives a nicer finish. Finally, the pearl spots are cut to the right length and nailed to the frames. If the width of the pearl spots does not match the width of the box, cut them so that they are the same width on both sides. It looks nicest. Finally, a couple of boards are mounted inside the box, on which the planter can stand. Mount them on a couple of strips in the sides. If necessary, fit wheels under the box so that it can be moved around. After painting is finished and before soil is filled in, fiber cloth is installed inside so that the wood is not destroyed by the soil.
