how to build planter boxes
using tree stumps
Want to learn how you can build these easy, budget friendly garden planter boxes using tree stumps!? You have come to the right place! Let’s getrdone!
The Backstory: We bought our home during the COVID pandemic and one thing that drew us to this property was the trees! Unfortunately, we had to cut down 4 extremely large trees that were causing damage to the house. I knew I wanted to use the trees in a unique way somehow and I had plans to start working on the layout for a large garden behind my workshop so using what I had on hand- this is what I came up with.
Materials:
Pallet
Tree Stumps
Chainsaw
Scrap wood
3 in. Exterior Screws
Drill
Landscape Liner
Staple Gun
Staples
Box Cutter
Circular Saw
Garden Soil
Step No.1- Location
First you are going to want to determine where you want these planters to go because there is no moving them once they are built. I am using these for cut flowers so I put mine in a full sun location directly behind my workshop.
Step No.2- Cut Wood Logs to size
Next, determine how tall you want each log to be. You want your logs to be at least 2x the length of your pallet height + scrap wood. Using a chain saw, cut down your logs to your desired height. Once you have your logs cut to your desired height you will then cut them in half length ways.
(For a visual you can check out the video of this build below)
Step No.3- Assemble Wood logs around pallet
Next, I started taking my cut logs and placing them around my pallet. I interchanged logs on each side until I got the right combination of sizes together on each side of the pallet- Its not a big deal if you have a little overlap on your edges (I wasn’t going for perfect- just creative!)
Step No.4- Securing logs to the pallet
Using my favorite circular saw, I cut some scrap wood to secure the logs together and hold them flush with my pallet. I used 1-2 screws per log.
Step No.5- landscape liner
Using a box cutter, I then cut my landscape liner to size. (I did not use landscape fabric because I didn’t want to go to the store, you will see in the video that I am actually using sheeting left over from our roof replacement job, but the right way to do this would be to use landscape fabric for proper drainage, I had to add an extra step by poking a bunch of holes in this sheeting for drainage.)
I then used my staple gun to secure the landscape fabric into place.
Step No.6- Garden Soil + plants
Once your fabric liner is secured, its time to add some garden soil! Time to plant! I am using these to plant a large cut flower garden! I planted zinnias and dinner plate dahlias in mine! I cant wait to see the flower start to bloom!
If would love to see your wood log planters!!
I hope that you found this tutorial helpful & would love your feedback! If there is a particular topic, product, technique, etc. that you would find helpful, please leave a comment or send me an email!
As always, I am here to help! Welcome to the tribe!
- Reconciliation Furniture
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