How to build a mobile planter box

Planter boxes are pretty handy and you can put them wherever you want and by building them yourself you can make them to a size that suits.

1.Types of Timber

There are a couple of different types of timber sleepers that you can use to make your planter boxes.  One is treated timber and the other is non-treated timber. 

If you don’t want to use edible plants in your planter boxes treated timber will last for ages outdoors. It’s recommended to use products like polythene as a barrier/liner around the walls and base to stop any product from the timber leaching into your soil. If you do want to put edible plants in your planter boxes it’s best to use untreated timber with a polythene liner to help stop wood rot.

2. Fasteners and wheels

To assemble your planter boxes using 50mm deep sleepers its a great idea to use 125mm long landscape screws and to make your planter boxes more portable, castors with stops are a great idea to help you slide your box around to where you need it.

3. Measuring the Base

For the example project the following measurements were used

1.2m Long by 600mm wide

(When using rough sawn timber its important to measure each piece as they are not always exact in width.)

4. Cut Timber To Length

Once you have your measurements you can cut your base sides and ends to length.

5. Fixing the Ends and Sides (repeat this process for each end)

On a 50mm sleeper measure 25mm in on a side length and use a square to line up with the end board and mark with a pencil

Use the square again to bring the line down the front face of the board with a pencil

Measure down the line on both sides where you will place your landscaping screws.

Its important to pre-drill your holes to prevent damaging the timber with cracks and splits no matter what type of timber you are using.

Fix your ends to your sides using a drill and pulse your drill as you use it

6. Ensure your box is square

Ensure your box is square by measuring diagonally across both sides from edge to edge. In this project there was a difference of 1cm which was fine.

7. Fix your base boards to the box

Come in about 25mm which is half the thickness of the timber and finger Gauge a line all the way along to put two screws in each. And repeat on each side both the sides and ends.

Bring your drill in slightly from the screws from the end so that screws don’t hit them on the way in. Screw in and then continue in along the other sides.

8. Fix your locking castor wheels to the base

Line up castor wheels with the existing pencil lines around the edges and fix with 30mm fixing screws

9. Line the interior of your box with polythene

10. Drill drainage holes to remove excess water

11. Stain to suit

12. Add your plants and premium potting mix and you’re complete.

For all the tools and products seen in the tutorial visit the team at Wellers Hill Hardware and Landscaping Supplies today.

View the full tutorial from Mitre 10 below

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