Cedar Vertical Tiered Ladder Garden Planter

7/18/2020 Cedar Vertical Tiered Ladder Garden Planter | Ana White
Cedar Vertical Tiered Ladder Garden Planter
SUBMITTED BY ANA WHITE (/USER/1) ON THU, 05/16/2019 - 05:50
Di iculty: Beginner
Build your own cedar ladder garden planter for about $20 using inexpensive cedar fence pickets - free
plans from ana-white.com
Here’s a way to garden even if you have minimal space - a vertical garden ladder planter! It's perfect for
tiny backyards or a patio or balcony - even if you live in a small apartment in the city.
Made of cedar fence pickets, this ladder planter will hold up to the elements but only costs about $20 to
build. It’s a beginner project and you only need a few tools to tackle it.
My friend Jen built this for her mother-in-law. She’s a beginner builder- I've asked Jen to share her tips
and challenges as she built this tiered ladder planter - here's from Jen:
----
A er the last project (http://ana-white.com/2014/06/plans/10-cedar-tiered-flower-planter-or-herb-

garden) I couldn't wait to get started on this one. Another simple build with great results! What I like
about this is it could be used as a regular flower planter, an herb planter, or as I did with herbs and
flowers to mix it up a little.
I got right to work and got all cuts done and layed out. Then I started attaching with the handy staple
gun. Did I mention I love that thing! I'm pretty sure it's my new best friend - quick and easy, that's how I
like it!
The compound miter saw is great for the angled cuts. I needed 10 of the end pieces at 15 degrees o
square, not parallel. Instead of adjusting the miter from side to side I simply made my first end cut, then
used it as a template to mark the rest of the boards as I cut. Then all I needed to do instead of adjusting
the saw is flip the board each time I cut. It worked much better than how I invisioned it would in my
head.
Once I had all the end pieces cut, I attached them to the sides with the staple gun.
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/cedar-vertical-tiered-ladder-garden-planter 1/37
A er that I measured my opening and cut the bottom pieces as I went I shoved them in from the top,
and there were my five boxes done. I shot a few staples for extra hold on the bottom pieces from the
outside of each box.
Now for the frame. I was a little intimidated by the top cut, but my saw was already set to 15 degrees, so
I just wacked the ends o parallel as directed in the cut list. Then I used a carpenters square to cut the
back o the tops, perpendicular to the 15 degree top cut. It sounds complicated but it actually is easy.
TIP: If you don't have a carpenter's square, just use a scrap of wood or even a hardcover book.
I didn't have a circular saw, so decided to use the jig saw to cut this part. I haven't really used a jig saw
before, but all and all it went pretty well. I just took my time and was sure to stay on the outside edge of
the line I had drawn. I won't like, the first cut wasn't perfect, but it worked.
A er the first upright was cut, I used it to trace the line on the second board. Then, once again, used the
jig saw to cut on the traced line. This time it went even better. Practice makes perfect!
Now came the time to attach the boxes to the frame. I started from the top and worked my way down. I
marked my starting point on both uprights at the same time for consistency. Then I screwed the box to
one leg from the inside of the box, then placed the other leg and did the same.
First box down!
Now I had a starting point for the rest of the boxes. So I cut a spacer at 6 inches (see photo below) to
make the placing easier. Be sure to keep the spacer at an angle to follow the line of the first box
attached. Once I had it placed I screwed the second box from the inside of the box to the frame, and so
on and so forth with the rest of the boxes.
It made it easier to turn the frame on its side to place the screws. Clamps are your friend here if you
don't have an extra hand.
Now all I had to do was stand it up, and there was the finished product, a beautiful versatile vertical
planter!
Be sure to drill holes in the bottom of each box to allow for drainage. I drilled a er it was all attached,
but you could do it a er building the boxes before attaching them to the frame.
Now it was time to plant it! I showed my mother-in-law the planter and she loved it, so I decided it
would look great in her back yard.
So o we went to get some flowers and herbs.
Turned out pretty well if you ask me!
It's amazing what you can build with $20 bucks in lumber in a couple of hours!
I hope you have as much fun building this as I did!
---
Thanks Jen! Of course, plans follow - please share your finished planter with us if you build!!!
XO Ana + Family
Dimensions
Dimensions shown above
Preparation
SHOPPING LIST
5 - 5-1/2" wide cedar fence pickets (dogeared is fine) 72" length
2 - 10' long 2x6
20 - 2-1/2" long exterior decking screws (for attaching boxes to legs)
1-1/4" galvanized nails or staples (for making boxes)
CUT LIST
10 - 2x6 @ 5-1/4" both ends cut at 15 degrees o square, ends are NOT parallel
10 - 5-1/2" wide cedar fence pickets @ 23-1/2"
5 - 5-1/2" wide cedar fence pickets @ 20-1/2" (cut to fit)
2 - 2x6 @ 68-3/8" both ends cut at 15 degrees o square, ends ARE parallel
TOOLS
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It
is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions
to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or
debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square a er each step. Always predrill
holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe
excess glue o bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe,
have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Instructions
STEP 1
(https://www.ana-white.com/sites/default/files/3154846998_1402966249.jpg)
Attach two of the longer cedar fence picket pieces to two ends. I used 1-1/4" galvanized
staples, but you could also use screws or nails.
STEP 2
I placed the bottoms in from the top, and then added a few staples to keep them in place.
STEP 3
The sides are simply cut with ends parallel at 15 degrees, then the back is cut o
perpendicular to the top 15 degree cut. It's easier than you'd think. I used a jigsaw but the
right tool would have been a circular saw. Start your cut on the top as you will have more to
bit into.
STEP 4
Mark the placement of the top planter on both legs first to make sure you place the planter in
exactly the same spot on both legs. Then I attached from inside with 2-1/2" exterior decking
screws. The 2x6s I used were very hard to drill into, so I ended up predrilling as well.
STEP 5
Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions: Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of
wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the
wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove
all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color
evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Help Improve This Plan
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Welcome, I'm Ana White

I build and share smart, stylish diy projects. Since 2009.
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7/18/2020 Cedar Vertical Tiered Ladder Garden Planter | Ana White

SUBMITTED BY ANA WHITE (/USER/1) ON THU, 05/16/2019 - 05:50

A er the last project (http://ana-white.com/2014/06/plans/10-cedar-tiered-flower-planter-or-herb-

First box down!

So o we went to get some flowers and herbs.

Turned out pretty well if you ask me!

I hope you have as much fun building this as I did!

Dimensions shown above

5 - 5-1/2" wide cedar fence pickets (dogeared is fine) 72" length

2 - 10' long 2x6

20 - 2-1/2" long exterior decking screws (for attaching boxes to legs)

1-1/4" galvanized nails or staples (for making boxes)

10 - 5-1/2" wide cedar fence pickets @ 23-1/2"

5 - 5-1/2" wide cedar fence pickets @ 20-1/2" (cut to fit)

Help Improve This Plan

Welcome, I'm Ana White

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