How to Make Large Planters

Creating large planters to landscape your yard or patio is a great way to beautify your landscape and add value to your home. Planters can be constructed out of a wide variety of materials such as concrete, plastic, fiberglass, stone, wood and many other construction materials. Large planters also vary widely by design, as many are placed directly in the ground, while others stand freely or can be independently hung around the yard. The simplest and most affordable way to create a large planter is out of wood, and placed in the ground. These square planters can create a border around large trees or other large garden plants and shrubs.

4x4 posts (to suit dimensions of your planter design)

20 penny nails

Steel re-bar cut into 2 ft. sections

Hammer

Drill w/ half inch spade bit

Tape measure

Shovel

Potting soil

Mulch

Purchase eight four by four posts at a length of eight to 10 feet. These post can be square edged or rounded edge depending on your preference. You can cut the posts to suit the dimensions of your square planter.

Locate an appropriate area in your yard to place your planter. Large planters are normally borders for trees, shrubs, or large garden areas. You can place the planter around an existing tree or shrubbery, or build it and then plant inside the planter.

Level off the earth around your designated planter area with a shovel or garden hoe. Ensure that the ground is nice and level, cleared of any roots, rocks or other debris.

Dig a two inch deep by four inch wide trench along the square perimeter of the planter area. Place the four by four posts into the trench in a square pattern. Ensure that the posts are flush with one another at the corners of the square. Nail the posts together at the corners.

Drill two holes through each post using a half inch spade bit. Place the drill holes about one foot away from each corner. Place the two foot re-bar in the holes and hammer down about two inches.

Drill two holes through the remaining four posts aligning them with the holes on the planter frame. Use a tape measure to ensure accuracy. Place the posts on top of the planter frame over the protruding re-bar. Hammer the re-bar into the ground until the top of the re-bar is flush with the top edge of the horizontal posts. Nail the corners of the top posts together.

Fill the planter with potting soil and mulch, then plant your desired garden plants inside if needed.

Pre-drill the holes for the re-bar prior to placing them in the ground. This will keep you from drilling into the dirt.

Planter designs are available at most home and garden supply stores.

Always use extreme caution while operating a drill