This project was built and designed by Stan Sullivan, known for his straightforward and useful woodworking builds. In this project, he shows how to create a vertical garden planter that’s perfect for tight spaces, patios, or backyards with limited room.
By building upward instead of outward, this design saves ground space while offering plenty of planting capacity. It’s a smart and attractive solution for anyone who wants to grow more without expanding their footprint.
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A Vertical Garden with Practical Benefits
Vertical gardening helps maximize sunlight, minimize soil-borne disease risks, and reduce back strain from constant bending. This planter accomplishes all of that while being simple enough for any DIYer to take on over a weekend.
Stan revisits his original design and walks through how to improve it with better joinery and a cleaner finish. The build process is broken into easy-to-follow steps, making it great for woodworkers of all skill levels.
Material Options That Fit Your Budget
Stan recommends using whatever wood you already have on hand, whether it’s cedar for outdoor durability or pine for affordability. Even scrap pieces can work with proper sealing and care.
This emphasis on reusing materials not only saves money but also supports a more sustainable building approach. Treating the finished piece properly ensures a longer lifespan, regardless of the wood type.
Cutting and Gluing the Panels
The structure starts with four large panels, each made by edge-gluing five boards together. Stan suggests gluing smaller groups of boards first, then joining those into larger panels. This makes the process easier and gives more consistent results.
A miter saw helps cut the boards down to rough size before gluing. After the panels dry, sanding helps remove glue squeeze-out and evens out the surface for assembly.
Sanding for a Clean Fit
A belt sander is used to clean up the surface since the panels may be too wide for a planer. The goal isn’t perfection—just a smooth surface and flush seams.
Stan focuses on removing high spots and leveling glue joints so that the mitered corners later in the build fit cleanly and hold together properly.
Creating Crisp Mitered Corners
To give the tower its polished appearance, Stan cuts 45-degree miters along the edges of the panels. This forms the four-sided tower once assembled. Precision is important here, and Stan recommends cutting slightly long at first to allow for adjustments.
He uses a router with a straight bit to cut shallow dados along the edges, helping the miters seat tightly. Keeping track of orientation during this step is important to avoid mismatched corners.
Cutting Holes for Planting
With the panels ready, Stan drills six evenly spaced planting holes into each side using a hole saw. The hole size is based on the plants being used—herbs, lettuce, and even flowers all fit nicely in this layout.
After drilling, the edges of the holes are rounded with a quick sanding pass to prevent splinters and improve the overall look.
Assembling the Planter Box
Assembly starts with gluing the corners together and using band clamps to hold pressure while things set. This step brings all four sides into a sturdy, square tower.
To reinforce the corners, Stan drills pilot holes and inserts wooden dowels with glue. This adds strength and ensures the planter can handle the weight of soil and water over time.
Final Cleanup and Finish
After assembly, a flush trim saw is used to even up the edges. Additional sanding softens any sharp areas and preps the wood for finish.
Stan recommends applying a water-resistant stain or exterior-grade sealer to protect against weather and extend the planter’s life. A finish not only makes the wood more attractive but also helps it resist warping and decay.
Setting Up and Planting
Once complete, the tower is ready to be filled with soil and your favorite plants. Whether you’re growing herbs, leafy greens, or decorative flowers, the vertical design creates a visually appealing garden with minimal space.
It’s also easier to maintain, with plants elevated for better air flow and sunlight exposure. And for those in apartments or urban settings, it’s a practical way to enjoy gardening without a traditional backyard.
A Creative and Rewarding Project
Stan’s tower garden planter is a great blend of woodworking and gardening. It’s functional, attractive, and offers plenty of room for customization—paint, stain, and layout can all be adjusted to fit your style and space.
This build is a great example of how smart design can make gardening more accessible. It’s an ideal weekend project for anyone looking to add a vertical garden to their home.
Get Stan’s plans here: https://www.simplyeasydiy.com/2016/12/diy-vertical-tower-garden.html.