What can you do with an abandoned old crib and some empty milk jugs? Probably lots of stuff, but I decided to make a planter for some of my tomatoe plants. This instructable takes one side of a crib and turns it into a mountable upside down milk jug planter.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

What I used:

Tools:
Jig Saw
Circular Saw
Drill
drill bit to predrill holes
Utility knife
clamps
safety glasses

Materials:
Pencil
small wood screws
4 milk jugs
side of a crib
scrap 1x8 board

Step 2: Measuring (quote/unquote)

I am not a stickler for a measuring tape, so this next step is less than contractor/woodsmith. But, I held the milk jug upside down with the mouth recessed between the first set of bars and marked the edge.

Using some sort of straight edge, draw a line to mark where to cut on both sides of the crib.

Make the cuts, and set aside the bottom of the future planter.

Step 3: Cut the Front and Back Sides

Again, me with my anti measuring propaganda, I decided that 3 bars high for the front and the back would get the job done.

NOTE: For the back side, I wanted the edges to be longer for mounting later

Make pencil lines for the cuts for the next two pieces, observing the note above, leaving 3 bars spacing for each.

Cut your front a back piece and set aside.

Step 4: Side Braces

Line up the bottom piece and your scrap board for the side brace, and mark the width of the bottom piece on the scrap board.

Using a straight edge, extend the line across the scrap board.

Grab your saw, and chop off the first side edge.

For the second side, i just traced the side of the first cut side brace.

Step 5: Marking Drill Hole Locations

I assembled the planter on the work bench to check to make sure it went together nicely.

With it sitting there, I marked the locations for where I wanted the screws. 3 bars high, 3 screws per side.

After I marked all the holes, I fell the planter and grabbed my drill w/bit. I didn't try to sink the pre-drilled holes all the way into the scrap, just through the side of the crib pieces to help avoid splitting the boards during final assembly.

Step 6: Final Assembly

For the final assembly, I clamped the front piece to the side braces and sunk the screws.

Next I flipped it over and attached the back piece.

Lastly, I turned the planter upside down and attached the bottom. I did decide here that I should add a screw through the front and back side into the bottom piece for added strength.

Once assembled, I predrilled the holes to mount it to my fence.

Step 7: Mount the Planter

Using deck screws, I mounted the planter through the fence board and into the cross board 2x4.

Step 8: Milk Jug Choppin

Note: you want the planter mounted before you start slipping your plants into these milk jugs

Using the utility knife, I cut the bottoms of the 4 milk jugs off.

Step 9: Upside Down Plant Fun

I remembered reading a comment on getting your plants through the necks/mounths of bottles on another instructable:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Go-Green-Upside-Down-Hanging-Planters/step6/Insert-your-plant/

" I wrapped the plant in wax paper and pulled the paper thru the neck and it worked great. Pull on the wax paper, not the plant"

Something else I read, there can be a lot of evaporation from these jugs, so monitor the moisture of the soil and water regularly