🌱 Customizable Raised Bed Garden Box

The Perfect 3-Piece Garden Set

Author

Matthew Peech
March 25, 2024

Hey Makers!

Ever thought the DIY raised garden boxes flooding the market look a bit too uniform and plain? It's time for a change! I'm thrilled to introduce a project that breaks the mold, adding a unique twist to the classic design. With just fence pickets, 2’” lumber material, and a handful of tools, we're crafting a three-piece raised garden box set that's as elegant as it is functional.

“When the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.”

- Abraham Maslow

👀 Your Next High-Profit Project

This three-piece raised bed garden box isn't just any project. It's a standout addition to any garden, patio, or backyard. Crafted from simple materials but designed to make a statement, this project is perfect for those looking to add a unique touch to their outdoor spaces or even kickstart a profitable woodworking venture.

👉 Key Features

  1. Cost-Effective: Leverage affordable fence pickets to create something spectacular.

  2. High Margin Potential: With their unique design, these planters can command a higher price point.

  3. Versatile Use: Ideal for personal use, gifts, or a lucrative addition to your garden center lineup.

 🪓 What You’ll Need

Materials:

  • Fence Pickets: Generally available in sizes like 5/8" x 5.5" x 6' (thickness x width x length). These will primarily form the sides of the boxes.

  • Lumber for 2x2s: Opt for 2x6s or 2x8s to cut down into 2x2s for the frame. These are usually found in lengths like 8', 10', or 12'.

  • Screws or Nails: Use outdoor-grade screws or nails to assemble the planters, ensuring they can withstand the elements without rusting or degrading.

  • Wood Glue: Optional, but recommended for reinforcing the joints, making the planters more durable over time.

Tools:

  • Saw: A circular saw, miter saw, or hand saw can be used for cutting the lumber to the required sizes. The choice of saw will depend on what you have available and your comfort level with each tool.

  • Drill: Needed for pre-drilling holes to prevent wood splitting when inserting screws and for securing the screws or nails into the wood.

  • Sandpaper or Orbital Sander: Essential for smoothing out all cut pieces of wood before assembly. This step is crucial for preventing splinters and ensuring a professional finish.

  • Measuring Tape and Square: Accuracy is key in woodworking projects. These tools will help ensure all cuts and alignments are precise, resulting in a sturdy and visually appealing final product.

Standard Dimensions:

  • Small Box: 24" (L) x 12" (W) x 12" (H)

  • Medium Box: 36" (L) x 24" (W) x 18" (H)

  • Large Box: 48" (L) x 24" (W) x 24" (H)

 🛠️ Construction Steps

This unique three-piece raised bed garden box set challenges the conventional design, offering a customizable and aesthetic solution for gardeners and woodworkers alike. Utilizing common 2-inch materials and fence pickets, this project is designed for both functionality and appeal.

  1. Cutting Assembly Pieces:

    For the Frame (2x2s): Cut eight pieces at 16" long for the legs of each box (adjust height if necessary). For the top and bottom frame pieces, cut according to the perimeter of your planned box size.

    For the Sides (Fence Pickets): Based on the height of your boxes, cut the pickets to cover the sides fully, allowing for the overlap and attachment to the frame.

  1. Assemble the Frame:

    Create rectangular frames for the top and bottom of each box using 2x2s. For a medium-sized box (36" x 24"), you'd cut four pieces at 36" and four pieces at 21" (to account for the thickness of the 2x2s), assembling two rectangles.


  1. Attach the Legs:

    • Secure the 16" 2x2s at each corner of the bottom frame, then attach the top frame to the top of the legs.

  1. Attach Side Pickets:

    Nail or screw the fence pickets to the sides of the frame, ensuring they are flush with the top and bottom of the frame.

  1. Constructing the Bottom:

    Measure the interior length and width of the assembled frame for the bottom boards. Cut additional pickets or 2x2s to fit inside as the bottom, ensuring spaces between them for drainage.

  1. Finishing Touches

    Trim: Measure and cut trim pieces to fit around the top edge of each box for a clean finish. This could be from fence pickets or other scrap wood.

    Sanding and Sealing: Sand all surfaces smooth, then apply a weather-resistant stain or sealant to all parts of the garden box.

📐 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.

👩 Rita’s Woodworking Legacy

As we close out Women’s History month, I thought an inspirational story about a woman with history and serious woodworking skills was in order. Rita’s childhood was spent on the family farm as one of three children. At a very young age farm chores included building, repairing and maintaining items needed around the farm. This provided a base from which to build on as an adult. 

She has had many hobbies and at one point owned a craft store in South, Central Texas. She made pieces to sell in the craft store as finished pieces or pieces for the customers to finish as desired. She rented space to vendors to display and sell their wares. Need and interest grew into furniture making including both indoor and outdoor furniture. She has made both large and small furniture items including; beds, tables, desks, end tables etc. Once she saw a unique design for a table leg and wanted to use it. That turned into an outdoor patio table long enough to accommodate 10 custom built arm chairs. An entertainment center she made years early was re-purposed into a headboard for a Queen size bed for her Grandson. Her son asked her to build a desk, she proceded to do a complete office build-out for him. 

During a volunteer stint with Habitat for Humanity, carpentry and home building skills were developed and honed. Involvement included a number of housing projects in several locations and in various roles including Project Supervisor. 

After leaving Habitat, with a Son-in-Law in the Real Estate business, they got into upgrading and flipping houses. Some of these were fast flips and some were more indepth complete re-models including replacing cabinets, hand made barn doors and all the skills needed to complete the re-models and renovations. 

Recently, her brother purchased a very nice Pegas scroll saw. Rita said “great can you build me …..” to which he said no I can’t and purchased another one and had it delivered to her. Now she is turning out very intricate scroll saw and band saw pieces. At least 2 of her pieces have made the Woodworking Wednesday feature builds already this year. This is a statement in itself based on the hundreds of posts each week. 

When asked, why the shift to the scroll saw and band saw small pieces she replied, “I don’t need to be on ladders hanging faux beams, cabinets are much too heavy for me to hang and large furniture pieces are much too bulky to manipulate around  the shop. 

Rita, you are truly an inspiration to us ALL. Oh, did I mention Rita is 77 years young!

I’d love to hear and share more stories like Rita’s. If you have a tale to tell, reply to this email. Let’s celebrate your journey together!

🏆 Top Woodworking Wednesday Builds

Every Wednesday, our community comes together for 'Woodworking Wednesday' on Facebook, a special day dedicated to showcasing the incredible woodworking projects you've all been working on.

I'm consistently in awe of the creativity and craftsmanship on display. It's a joy to see the diverse and fantastic works you bring to life, so please, keep sharing!

This week, alongside the stunning projects, we had the joy of celebrating a different kind of creation. Joe Tomasulo shared his most amazing creation yet—a healthy, cute little guy named Weston. Congratulations on the new addition to your family, Joe!

💌 Grow Your Garden and Your Skills

This project is more than a simple craft; it's a pathway to enhancing your outdoor space and woodworking abilities. Dive in, create your own raised garden boxes, and share your journey with our community. Your creation could inspire someone to start their own project.

Let's cultivate our love for woodworking and gardening together, creating pieces that not only beautify our spaces but also nurture our creativity.

Happy making,
Matthew

P.S. Want to explore more unique projects? Grab your detailed plans now and broaden your woodworking horizon!