Cedar Garden Planter Box

by Logan · Jul 9, 2026

Beginner Outdoor & Garden #cedar #first-project #garden #outdoor CC BY 4.0 — Attribution

Build time: A few hours
Material cost: Under $50
Wood: Cedar
Finished size: 30" L × 12" W × 12" H

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Overview

This is an Example plan, has not been validated

A tapered cedar planter that looks store-bought and takes an afternoon. Cedar fence pickets are the secret: cheap, naturally rot-resistant, and already the right thickness.

No fancy joinery — everything is glued and nailed to four corner posts. The taper comes free from cutting the corner posts at an angle.

Materials

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Hardware & consumables

1 box × Galvanized brad nails · 1 1/4"
Exterior wood glue
1 × Landscape fabric · 3' × 3'

Lumber & sheet goods

6 × Cedar fence picket · 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 6'
1 × Cedar 2x2 · 8'

Tools

Circular saw Also works: Jigsaw, Miter saw
Brad nailer — Pre-drill and screw if you have no nailer Also works: Drill

Everyday tools (hammer, tape measure, square) are assumed.

Build steps

1
Cut the parts
Step 1 of 5
From the pickets cut:
- 8 side boards at 30"
- 8 end boards at 12"
- 5 bottom boards at 28"
From the 2x2 cut four corner posts at 11".
2
Build the two long sides
Step 2 of 5

Lay two 30" boards edge to edge, place a corner post flush at each end, glue and nail through the boards into the posts. You now have two side panels with posts attached.
3
Close the box
Step 3 of 5

Stand the side panels up and bridge them with the 12" end boards — glue and nail into the same corner posts. Check for square by measuring the diagonals; adjust until they match.
4
Fit the bottom
Step 4 of 5

Drop the 28" bottom boards inside so they rest on the lower edge, leaving small gaps between them for drainage. Nail through the sides into the bottom boards. Drill a few extra 1/2" drainage holes if your plants hate wet feet.
5
Line and fill
Step 5 of 5

Staple landscape fabric inside — it keeps soil in and moisture off the wood. No finish needed: cedar weathers to a silver grey, or oil it with an exterior finish if you prefer the fresh-cut colour.