How to Make Railing Planters
- Prepare the Cedar Fence Pickets I love using cedar fence pickets for outdoor projects! ...
- Cut Pieces for Planter Boxes You can make these deck railing planter boxes any size you want! ...
- Assemble Boxes ...
- Cut and Attach the French Cleat ...
- Stain or Paint the Planter Box ...
- Add Corner Brackets (Optional) ...
- Fill your Planter Box with Herbs or Flowers ...
- Hook the Railing Planters into the Cleat ...
Full Answer
How do you make a railing planter?
How to Make a Deck Rail PlanterMeasure and cut wood to length. Measure out and mark each board with a square before cutting. ... Build the box. ... Trim the box. ... Drill drainage holes. ... Sand and clean. ... Seal.
Do railing planters need drainage holes?
If your Railing Planter will be exposed to rain, you will need to open the drainage holes to allow excess water to drain.
How do you attach a railing to a planter?
2:303:50How To Hang Railing Planters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply wrap the strap around your railing thread it through the clasp. Make sure the strap is tightMoreSimply wrap the strap around your railing thread it through the clasp. Make sure the strap is tight and secure and snap the lock into position attach the bracket cover. And hang your window.
What do you put in a planter railing?
Small flowers such as bright marigold flowers, pansies, blooming petunias in pots, dwarf zinnia, geraniums, and the like all flourish in railing planters.
What do you put in the bottom of a planter for drainage?
Perlite is a soil amendment that improves drainage and encourages root growth. It can also help keep the soil from getting compacted in a container. Some potting soil already includes perlite, but it can be purchased separately and then mixed into soil.
What do you put in the bottom of a planter without holes?
Use Soil Amendments Not only do these amendments provide aeration, but they help water disperse more evenly through the soil. Common additives include perlite, pumice, vermiculite, orchid bark, and horticultural charcoal.
How do railing planters stay on?
Metal brackets may be “L” shaped to hang plants on one side of the railing, or they may straddle the railing to hang plants on both sides. Some brackets provide for planters to be attached using screws. Others simply have hooks that allow you to attach, remove, and interchange planters with ease.
What can I use instead of a railing?
Consider stainless-steel cables, metal tubes, or composite railings if you're looking for low-maintenance alternative to wood balusters and railings for your deck.
Are railing planters good?
No matter what you plant in them, railing planters are a great way to add some lush greenery to your balcony or patio. It is important that you buy a high-quality, durable railing planter, or else you may end up with a mess of dirt and plants everywhere if it breaks or falls down.
How do I keep my wood planter from rotting?
0:020:32How to Waterproof a Wooden Planter Box - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith a putty knife apply roofing cement to the inside of the planter that will protect it from waterMoreWith a putty knife apply roofing cement to the inside of the planter that will protect it from water and keep it from rotting.
What do you put in the bottom of a planter for height?
Styrofoam peanuts (a.k.a packing peanuts) or styrofoam blocks (a.k.a foam blocks) are recommended for filler material. To keep the filler more secure and contained, place them in an empty potting soil bag.
What do you put in the bottom of a wooden planter?
Place a sheet of plastic or metal screen cloth over the entire bottom of the pot to keep drainage holes open. Alternatively, put shards of broken flowerpot or other pottery over the holes.
Do balcony planters need drainage holes?
Plants in containers need good drainage for healthy root growth. Plant containers need drainage holes, as well as loose potting media that allows water to permeate throughout the soil and throughout the whole container.
Do outdoor planters need a drain hole?
Whether your potted plants are indoors or outdoors, proper drainage is an essential element to ensure they stay healthy. This process keeps water from pooling at the base of the pot, which can cause bacteria, fungus and root rot.
Should a planter have drainage?
Any water that pools at the bottom of a planter can allow bacteria and fungus to form and cause root rot, which in turn, kills the plant. Though every plant owner should be aware of their individual plant's care and watering needs, drainage holes in a planter allow any extra water to seep out.
Do outdoor planter boxes need drainage?
The short answer is yes, planter boxes should have drain holes. Proper drainage is critical to growing healthy plants, because the roots need access to air. Plants sitting in stagnant water have a high chance of developing root rot, which is a serious and often lethal condition for plants.
Determine the Dimensions
Before you head to the hardware store, first determine your planter's dimensions, along with how many planters you want to build. To figure your dimensions for the planter, you first need to decide whether or not you want to use a planter box insert or not. A coco fiber insert will help the planter retain moisture.
Measure and Cut Your Lumber
Using a miter saw, cut your boards to length. Because the long sides will be placed overtop of the short sides, their length will be the full length of the planter. Likewise, the length of the short sides will determine the interior depth of the planter. A fifth board should be cut to fit inside the bottom, flush on all sides.
Sand the Boards
To improve the bond of the glue and remove any splinters, thoroughly sand the entirety of each board using an orbital sander and 120-grit sandpaper. Once smooth, remove all dust with a tack cloth.
Mock up the Box
Whenever you're working with glue, it's best to familiarize yourself with the assembly process before applying the glue. This way, you can work quickly and efficiently once the glue is on the wood. Since the priority will be the front of the box, place the long sides over top of the short sides to hide the end grain.
Assemble the Planter Box Sides
Assembling the planter is as easy as gluing the joints and nailing the boards together. We recommend a 16-gauge nail gun for its speed and ease, but a simple hammer and brad nails will also do the trick.
Warning
While a brad nailer is handy and can save you a lot of time, special attention should be paid whenever using this tool and other power tools. Brad nails can wander when you drive them, causing them to quickly exit out the side of the material you are nailing. For this reason, always wear safety glasses, and keep your support hand out of harm's way.
Secure the Bottom Piece
To add the bottom piece, apply a thin layer of glue along the entire edge of the bottom piece and the corresponding spot on the inside of the box. Slide the bottom into the box, lightly tapping with a rubber mallet if it won't easily slide into place. Once properly aligned, carefully drive nails around the perimeter, approximately every two inches.
How to use cedar board for planters?
Use it to cut two boards that are the same length as the planters. Add a brace to the back, bottom edge of each planter using wood screws.
How thick should a bottom brace be for a planter?
Editor's Tip: The bottom brace should be thick enough that it touches the spindles that attach to the railing so the planter rests snug against the spindles. In our case, the 1/2 inch cedar board was a perfect fit. Depending on the width of your railing, this may need to be adjusted.
How to make a planter box out of cedar board?
Cut the 1x4 cedar board into pieces that are a few inches smaller than your planter boxes. You'll need two for each box. Then adjust your table saw angle to 45 degrees, and cut the edge off both pieces.
Do I run pickets through a planer?
Sometimes, when I have a lot of pickets to clean up, I'll run them through the planer instead. This has the added benefit of making them all the same thickness as well.
Can I hang planter boxes on the outside of my deck?
That gave me an idea! I could turn them into railing planters on the outside of the deck!
Can you grow herbs on a deck?
Our deck outside the kitchen is the perfect place to grow herbs for cooking. But with the outdoor loveseat and sofa, grill and dining set taking up all the room, there's not a whole lot of space left for a garden! These deck rail planters take advantage of the outside edge of your deck or balcony railing, without those ugly metal brackets.
Can you use planters as window boxes?
You could also use these planters as beautiful DIY window boxes! Just attach one side of the French cleat to the window trim and hook the other side in place.
Can you stain natural cedar railings?
I chose to stain these railing planters the same color as the rest of the deck so they blend in. I applied Ready Seal in Natural Cedar with a foam brush, being careful not to get any on the inside of the box. You don't want the chemicals from the stain in the potting soil!
What to use in place of railing planters?
In place of usual railing planters, use regular pots you’ve got. To place them on railings, get plant stands, pot holders or flower pot racks. Also Read: Balcony Railing Design Pictures. 21. Galvanized Railing Planter. Consider galvanized railing planters as an option as well.
What is used as a thriller planter?
In this planter, the snake plant and purple salvia are used as a thriller, Russian kale as a filler, and sedum and creeping jenny as the spiller. Learn more about this technique here.
What is the best way to increase vertical space in a balcony garden?
Railing planters are the best way to increase vertical space in your balcony garden.
Can you recycle a railing planter?
Instead of buying railing planters, you can recycle them using tin cans or other plastic containers. Check out these DIY planter ideas for more ideas.
Can galvanized railings be used as planters?
Consider galvanized railing planters as an option as well.
Can you grow coleus on a balcony?
Grow plants like coleus, if your balcony is not sunny. Also, check out our list of shade-tolerant succulents to learn about more plant choices.
Can you hang a planter on a railing?
You can hang wooden planters on railings as well. 15. Growing Vegetables in Railing Planters. Growing any of your favorite herbs and dwarf vegetables like cherry tomatoes, greens, peas, radishes, and carrots are possible in an averagely sized balcony railing planter.
