30 Gallon Water Barel Planter

by kekoch2

5.1K916

Intro: 30 Gallon Water Barel Planter

How To Build A Planter Out Of A 30 Gallon Water Barrel:

Caution: Requires use of tools and safety gear may be needed.

STEP 1: Materials Needed

  • Power Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • 1/8 Pre Drill Bit (needed to make drainage holes)
  • Circular Saw
  • 30 Gallon Water Barrel: (Note: You can get a water barrel from your local car wash)
  • 6 (2x4's cut 20 inches long)
  • 2 (2x4's cut with a half circular angle, 20 inches long as well)
  • A pack of 1 1/2 inch screws (20 screws)

STEP 2: Safety First! Plus Optional Materials

If you feel the need to use safety gear! Please do!

  • Safety Gloves
  • Safety Goggles
  • Potting Soil
  • Bucket of Gravel Rocks
  • Spray Paint for decoration
  • 4 plastic bucket tops for bottom of legs. (This is to make sure the planter doesn't sink into the ground when filled).

STEP 3: Starting to Build Your Planter

Cut your water barrel horizontally in half using the jigsaw.

MAKE SURE TO NOT CUT through the big top cap hole that is already attached on the top and bottom of the barrel. Also, keep it closed so you don't create improper drainage and dirt through the hole.

STEP 4: Cut 2 Semi-Circle Pieces of 2x4

Measure a semicircle angle using the barrel as the template. A 2x4 piece of wood and a pencil to fit the bottom of your barrel. Using a jigsaw and proper safety gear, cut your semicircle. Repeat once more so there are two for the bottom of the barrel and check for size as show in picture. Your semicircle should fit snuggly along the bottom of your barrel.

STEP 5: Measure the 2x4's Accordingly

Measure and cut six pieces of 2x4's so they each measure out to be 20 inches long. These are going to be the base and legs of the planter.

STEP 6: Start Building Your Base Frame

Start building your base frame, using two 1 1/2 inch screws. Two per side of the 2x4.

STEP 7: Attach Frame to Water Barrel

Attach the barrel to your square frame, drilling in two more 1/2 inch screws on both ends.

Then, you drill 11 1/8 inch holes at the bottom of the barrel for proper drainage. You can also drill a couple more 1/8 inch holes on each side of the barrel for extra drainage on the sides, to ensure proper drainage.

STEP 8: Start Attaching Legs

After attaching your square frame to the water barrel, start attaching legs onto each corner of the frame and secure them with two screws per leg.

STEP 9: Final Product! Happy Planting!

After securely attaching the legs to the frame, flip the planter over to make sure that you have achieved properly securing the frame to the barrel and that the legs are level. Congratulations, you just made a recycled planter!

Additional add-ons:

  • Paint barrel to desired colors.
  • Add plastic bucket tops to legs to ensure that the legs will not seep into ground.
  • Plant anything from flowers to a small garden.

6 Comments

JerryD1 8 years ago

Good idea. Your materials list says 2x4s but it looks like you are using 2x6 or 2x8 lumber to hold the barrel.

neo71665 9 years ago

Not very pretty but if you take empty coffee can (bucket or whatever), slip the legs in, and fill with insecticide of your choice it will keep the crawlers from going up the legs. Around here its fire ants that try to take over everything.

Jobar007 9 years ago

Instead of insecticide, you could go with soapy water. The soap breaks the surface tension and prevents ants from "walking" over it. A lot less toxic. Alternatively, I've read somewhere that using mineral oil would work too.

jmyers1 9 years ago

Nice! These would be great mini gardens.

BeachsideHank 9 years ago

It also looks like a ready- made livestock watering trough or outdoor sink. Nice work.