Step 3: Pick a Location

Pick a Location to make a planter bench
Photo: Kolin Smith
«»
Look for a flat spot and lay the seat frame on the ground. If you have an incline, place a 4-foot level lengthwise on the frame and stack 2×4s underneath the low end until it sits level. Count the number of 2×4s it takes to level the frame; you'll need to add this number of courses to the downhill planter. front and back boards and into the ends of the three crosspieces, as shown.
Next

Related Content

Ask TOH users about Outdoor Structures
Discuss

Contribute to This Story Below

Add Comment

    More in Landscaping

    Tools List

    Close
    • four-foot level
      4-foot level
    • miter saw
      miter saw
    • circular saw
      circular saw
    • jigsaw
      jigsaw
    • speed square
      Speed Square
    • drill
      drill/driver fitted with a ⅜-inch paddle bit
    • square spade
      garden spade
    • hammer
      hammer
    • tamper
      hand tamper
    • caulk gun
      caulk gun

    Shopping List

    Close
    1. cedar 2×4s Get twenty 8-foot boards to make the 16½-inch planter pieces and the 82½-inch-long seat frame.

    2. cedar 1¼×6s Get four 6-foot boards to make the 63-inch-long seat, and one 8-foot board to trim the tall planter.

    3. ¾-inch gravel for drainage below the planters and to fill the assembled planters. Get at least 1½ cubic feet (three bags).

    4. potting soil to top off the planters filled with gravel. Get four 32-quart bags.5. construction adhesive Get 4 tubes.

    6. 3-inch stainless-steel deck screws

    7. 2-inch stainless-steel deck screws

    8. 3-inch galvanized siding nails

    9. 12-inch galvanized spikes Get eight