7 Ways to Build a Planter Box
“If you live in a place like Seattle, gardening can be confined to a stoop or balcony. We’ll show you how easy it is to grow a beautiful garden no matter what kind of space you’re working with!”
The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner, which means it’s prime DIY time! Whether you’re looking for a fun holiday project to do with kids or want to spruce up your festive decor with some new handmade pieces, you’re sure to find a must-make holiday project in our archives.
It’s a common misconception that the size of your yard dictates how fruitful your garden grows. For garden enthusiasts who may not have expansive yards—balcony planters, patio planters, and windowsill planters are all ripe for small-but-mighty gardens.
Whether you're an urban dweller with just a few feet of outdoor space or someone looking to add a bit of nature to your indoor areas, small-space planter boxes offer the flexibility and functionality to grow a variety of plants, from ornamental flowers to edible herbs and vegetables.
Keep scrolling to see our top small-space DIY planter box projects!
Gardening for small spaces
One of the key benefits of small-space planter boxes is their ability to fit into any nook and cranny, providing you with the opportunity to utilize every inch of available space. These planters can be hung from railings, mounted on walls, or simply placed on the ground, offering endless possibilities for creating a garden that reflects your personal style and space constraints.
Moreover, small-space planter boxes are ideal for experimenting with different plant combinations, allowing for a dynamic and ever-changing garden that can evolve from season to season. They also make gardening more accessible, reducing the need for bending and kneeling, which can be a boon for those with mobility issues. Small-space planter boxes prove that with a little creativity and care, you can enjoy the rewards of gardening, no matter the size of your green space.
How To Make an Elevated Planter Box
Difficulty: Easy | Cost: $$ | Time: 1-2 Hours
This petite planter box is perfect for the gardener lacking ample yard space. It’s the perfect home for a balcony herb garden or front-stoop flowers. With simple materials and beginner-friendly tools, this is a great weekend or weeknight project.
DIY House Number Planter Box
Difficulty: Easy | Cost: $$ | Time: 1-2 Hours
Perfect for those looking to add a personal touch to their home's exterior, this project is a creative way to welcome guests and enhance your entryway. With straightforward instructions, you can transform your home’s first impression in an afternoon.
How To Build a DIY Potato Planter
Difficulty: Intermediate | Cost: $ | Time: 1-2 Hours
Did you know you can grow 100 pounds of potatoes in just four square feet? It’s true! We discovered several potato varieties that grow better vertically (like fingerling, Pontiac, and yellow finns), and created this space-saving vertical planter so you can have Idaho-worthy spuds on hand through summer, fall, and even winter.
How To Build a Strawberry Planter
Difficulty: Intermediate | Cost: $$ | Time: 2-3 Hours
In our temperate Seattle weather, strawberries are a great plant to start in the winter as a bare-root plant that will come alive in spring. You can also wait to plant until late spring when the weather has warmed up to accommodate growth. This strawberry planter is a great way to start a small crop of berries without taking up too much space.
Cedar Planter Boxes
Difficulty: Intermediate | Cost: $$$ | Time: 2-3 Hours
Growing plants in containers is a great way to get your feet wet with gardening, especially if you’re living in an apartment space without a yard. A balcony or a small patio space is all you need (provided they get enough sunlight).
How To Make a Vertical Planter
Difficulty: Intermediate | Cost: $$$ | Time: 4-5 Hours
Gardening is a great way to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and to get some fresh produce in your life. But it can be challenging to garden if you don’t have a yard—or if your yard just isn’t in the right place to get that much-needed sun. This DIY vertical planter creates more space by growing up instead of out, and, even better, it’s easy to move to wherever the sunshine is.
How To Make a DIY Planter Box on Wheels
Difficulty: Intermediate | Cost: $$$ | Time: 3-5 Hours
If your heart is set on gardening in raised beds but you don’t have the yard space, this DIY planter box on wheels is the perfect solution. Customize the size and depth to suit your space, and simply wheel it around as needed!
Looking for more gardening projects and inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Check out our complete gardening project archive here.
