🌱 The $6 Planter - Low Cost High Profit

Made with 3 fence pickets. . .

Author

Matthew Peech
February 14, 2024

Hey Makers!

With building materials reaching new heights every day, finding a woodworking project that is both cost-effective and profitable can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But what if we told you that the secret to a high-margin woodworking project lies in something as simple and affordable as fence pickets?

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

- Leonardo da Vinci

👀 Your Next High-Profit Project

This planter is a game-changer for anyone looking to make money from woodworking. With just three fence pickets, you can create a beautiful, large planter box that rivals those found in big-box stores - at a fraction of the cost.

👉 Key Features

  1. Affordability: Build each planter for less than the cost of a single 2x4.

  2. High Profit Margins: Sell these planters at a competitive price, ensuring a handsome profit for your efforts.

  3. Seasonal Appeal: Perfect for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or as a staple in your garden center offerings.

 🪓 What You’ll Need

Materials:

  • 3 fence pickets (choose the best quality you can find)

  • Screws or nails suitable for outdoor use

  • Wood glue (optional for added strength)

Tools:

  • Saw (hand saw, circular saw, or miter saw)

  • Drill

  • Sandpaper or an orbital sander

  • Measuring tape and square

 🛠️ Construction Steps

  1. Preparation:

    Sand down your pickets to remove any rough spots or splinters. This step ensures a smooth finish and prepares the wood for cutting.

  1. Measure and Cut:

    Here’s what you’ll need to cut from your pickets:

    Legs: Cut 8 pieces to 2” x 16”.

    Side Panels (Frame A & B): Measure and cut boards according to desired size, ensuring Frame A is slightly larger to accommodate Frame B.

    Bottom Boards: Cut to fit within the frame for soil containment.

    Trim Pieces: Will be cut with a bevel and miter at 7 degrees and 45 degrees respectively.

  1. Assemble the Frame:

    • Wall Frame A & B: Place wall boards one inch from the bottom of the frame. Pre-mark screw placements half an inch from the top and bottom, planning for three screws per board.

    • Pre-drill all holes using a drill bit set to the depth of 1 inch to avoid going through the material.

    • Assemble Frame A by fastening the walls to the frame with 1-inch screws. Repeat for the second Frame A.

    • Prepare Frame B similarly but wait to fasten until later for easier assembly.

  1. Constructing the Planter:

    • Lay one Wall Frame A flat, attach Wall Frame B on the sides using pocket hole screws. Repeat for the second set.

    • Install the final Wall Frame A on top and secure all sides together.

    • The sidewalls are then attached, utilizing the pre-drilled holes and ensuring everything fits snugly due to the precise cuts made earlier.

  1. Adding the Trim:

    • Cut trim pieces at 16 and a quarter inches from tip to tip, maintaining the 7-degree bevel and alternating 45-degree miter cuts.

    • Pre-drill and attach the trim pieces using 1.25-inch deck screws, ensuring each piece aligns perfectly at the corners for a clean finish.

  1. Installing the Floorboards:

    • Place three floorboards (or more, depending on preference) inside the frame, spaced for drainage if necessary.

    • Some choose to line the planters with felt for a cleaner look or to facilitate easier plant maintenance.

📐 Etsy Plans for an In-depth Breakdown

For those who prefer detailed guidance, I've crafted comprehensive plans available on my Etsy shop. These include exploded views, cutting layouts, and step-by-step instructions tailored to this project. Get 10% OFF with “NEWS10”

Low cost, high profit plans.

👨‍🎓 A Special Note from East Tennessee

I want to share an inspiring story that recently warmed my heart. A high school teacher in East Tennessee reached out to express gratitude for the impact our farmhouse planter plans had on their shop class. Through hard work and dedication, these talented students crafted and sold over 80 planters. The proceeds from their effort funded an incredible opportunity - a trip to the State FFA Convention in Gatlinburg. Along with their message, they shared some heartening pictures of their project.

This story serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of woodworking to bring people together and create meaningful experiences. It's not just about building planters; it's about building dreams, skills, and opportunities. To the students and their teacher, your initiative and success are truly inspiring. It's incredibly rewarding to see such enthusiasm and achievement in the woodworking community.

🏆 Top Woodworking Wednesday Builds

Just a heads up for those who might not know – every Wednesday, I run a 'Woodworking Wednesday' post on Facebook where you all get to showcase your amazing creations. And guess what? I've decided to spice things up a bit!

The top-voted posts from our Woodworking Wednesday will get a special shoutout right here in my newsletter. It's a cool way to celebrate your incredible work and share it with our entire community. So, keep those posts coming and who knows, your project might just be the next star of our newsletter!

💌 Grow More With Every Plan(t)

Our $6 Planter project is more than just a craft; it's a gateway to expanding your creativity and enriching your woodworking journey. I invite you to take the plunge, create your own unique planters, and share your experiences and outcomes with our community. Your craftsmanship could be the very inspiration another member needs to start their own project!

Let's keep nurturing an environment where we can flourish in our passion for woodworking, creating pieces that not only enhance our gardens but also our spirits.

Happy making,
Matthew

P.S. Ready to dive deeper into crafting your own planters? Grab your detailed plans and expand your project lineup.