Mobility is a major concern for gardening nowadays. This is not mere upwards mobility provided by garden trellises. Instead, it’s the kind of mobility that allows you to transplant entire growing plants from one place to another.
A garden container is your best solution in this regard. And fortunately enough, it makes for a rather easy woodworking project. All that is required are a few tools, materials, a plan, and for you to get the basics of woodworking right.
Materials and Tools
It’s best to use weather-resistant wood like cypress and cedar for this project. However, you can also use recycled wood like old wood shipping crates and fences.
For this project, you will need tools like a hand saw for cutting your wood panels, nails, a hammer, wood glue, and a coating of your choice.
Alternatively, you can use galvanized screws and a drill instead of a hammer and nails to give your container better stability. You may also choose to purchase metal handles to be attached at the sides of the container.
Designing
Most wooden containers share the same design concept. In essence, they are mobile garden beds with an open or detachable top and grates at the bottom for water to flow through.
The measurements will differ from one woodworking plan to another. However, you can always change the measurements in your own plan to meet your needs and budget.
Assembly
First, you’ll have to cut your wood boards for the different components of the container. When cutting the panels, you must make sure that you follow the measurements specified in your woodworking plan. This is to prevent fitting issues from popping up later on.
Regardless of your design, your wooden container should contain at least the following parts:
2 side panels
2 front and back panels
1 center support strut
4 top and bottom trims
4 side trims
20+ bottom grating or fence panels
1 lid panel
2 front and back lid support struts
2 side lid support struts
Also, you may want to start sanding the rougher edges in your panels to make assembly easier for you.
Assembly
Start with assembling the outer frame. To do this, glue the edges of your front, back, and side panels to one another and then securing the connections with nails/screws. If possible, have the nails attached to the frame at the side panels so they don’t stand out as much in the finished product.
Once done, you will then install the grates at the bottom and then the support struts. Make sure that these panels are not attached closely to one another so water from the soil above can drip down to the ground.
You will then assemble the lid by attaching the struts at the bottom. The trims will also have to be attached to the main frame at the top and bottom edges of the panels.
Once you have a functional wooden container, apply a coat of paint or wood finish and then attach the handles at the sides.
Please Share This Article 🙂
