DIY Planter Box Trellis

Choose ground-rated lumber for any part of the trellis planter box that will touch the ground. For other parts, you can use weather-resistant boards such as cedar. You’ll also need tools like a miter saw, power drill and tape measure.

Carefully measure and mark your wood. Cut the the following pieces using a miter saw:

• Six 3/4- x 8- x 24-inch boards
• Nine 1- x 2- x 32-inch boards
• Two 2- x 2- x 6-inch boards
• Two 2- x 2- x 14 1/2-inch boards

For this step, you will need the following size pieces you cut in Step 2:

• Two 3/4- x 8- x 24-inch pieces of wood
• Two 2- x 2- x 6-inch
  pieces of wood
• Two 2- x 2- x 14 1/2-inch pieces of wood

Join the two 14 1/2-inch pieces with the 24-inch pieces. You’ll attach these pieces at the top at the long edge corners.

• Use a power drill to drill pilot holes from the underside of the 24-inch piece.
• Attach the 24-inch pieces with 2-inch deck screws through the bottom of the 14 1/2-inch piece.
• Attach the two 6-inch pieces in the same manner to the other 24-inch base piece.

Take the base and attach it the front and back of the DIY trellis planter box.

• Place the base piece with the 14 1/2-inch board on its long edge side with the 6-inch pieces supported.
• Lay two 24-inch boards on the 6-inch pieces flush together. Make sure the bottom of one of the 24-inch boards is flush with the perpendicular 24-inch base board.
• Attach each board to the 6-inch pieces with two 2-inch screws each. Drill pilot holes first to prevent splitting the wood.
• Repeat with the other base piece. Supporting the 6-inch pieces, build the back of the box.

• Place the base pieces on a level surface with the 6-inch pieces pointing upwards. Place the base boards flush along their length.
• Measure the distance for the two remaining sides. The length needed should be 16 inches.
• Cut four pieces of the 8-inch wood the span of the box sides.
• Attach them with two 2-inch screws per end of each board. Drill pilot holes first to prevent splitting the wood.

• Lay the box on its back.
• Place the 6-inch pieces on the ground.
• Starting from the top, lay out three of the 32-inch boards 3 3/4 inches apart. Center them on the 6-inch pieces.
• Drill pilot holes and attach each horizontal 32-inch board with a 2-inch screw to each 6-inch piece.
• Add another set of three cross boards 8 inches below the bottom of the lowermost 32-inch piece you just attached.
• Repeat these steps until all the horizontal boards are spaced and attached the same way.

Attach one caster to each of the four corners with 1 1/4-inch coated screws.

If the planter box will be placed on a sloped surface, place the two locking casters in the back. This will prevent the box from rolling down the slope.

• Place the trellis planter box on level ground. Or use the locking casters if you’d rather have it on a sloping area.
• Fill the box with potting soil.
• Plant vines that have compatible water and sun needs.
• Water regularly and fertilize as directed on your product label.