Summer is upon us, flowers are in bloom and my kids have veg ready for planting into better containers. I figured it was time to use up some left over wood from a fence I put up months ago and sort the kids out with a new planter.

All of this can be made with basic tools like a pencil, tape measure, handsaw, hammer, nails and determination.

Step 1: Markout, Cut and Add Detail.

I brought three lengths of the fence timber into the workshop from out side. After marking and squaring the ends up I had three equal lengths measuring at 960mm long 145mm wide. These would be two for sides and one for the bottom.

I then set my table saw to make a small rebate along the middle of the two piece which make the sides to add some charm.

Next I dug through a few bits of scrap timber and figure I could salvage two smaller pieces for the both ends. I then measured 145mm which will be the bottom and then squared it and added 50mm to each side of the two pieces. Straight line from my new marks and this gave me my desired angle. Made the cut ready for the assembly.

Feet was the next job and I just found another piece of scrap and made two equal pieces with 45% angles on each end.

Step 2: Assembly and Planing.

I took my two ends and my bottom length and glued and screwed them together ready for the nest step. I then realised that my bottom length did not match the desired angle I had on my ends so quickly set up the table saw and made the rip for the desired angle.

I then fitted the remaining two sides with just screws to either side and a few along the bottom. I then planed over the top edges just to knock of any rough bits and add a slight chamfer.

Step 3: Feet, LIne and Paint.

Next I add the feet to either side and drilled out a few drainage holes along the bottom length.

This part I do not have pictures to show but I am sure no one wants to see my painting. So all painting done nice a dry, I then lined the planter with old garden waste bags attached with staples and the pierced a few holes to match the ones I drilled out earlier.