This project was built and designed by Nick from Rocky River Woodworks.
Nick shows how to turn a single cedar fence picket into a hanging planter that makes an excellent Mother’s Day gift or craft fair item.
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Design and Materials
The planter features a simple box design with a pointed top section and a small circular hole for hanging. Nick uses scrap cedar fence picket material, which makes this an economical project perfect for using up leftover wood.
The rough side of the cedar fence picket faces outward to add visual texture and rustic appeal. This choice enhances the natural character of the wood while keeping material costs minimal.
Cutting the Components
Nick begins by cutting multiple pieces from the fence picket using a miter saw. The main components include several shorter pieces for the box body, one longer piece for the back panel, and narrow strips for decorative accents.
The top section requires angled cuts to create a pointed roof shape. Nick sets the miter saw to cut bevels on both sides of the back panel, bringing it to a decorative point that adds visual interest to the design.
Two thin strips get mitered on both ends to serve as decorative trim pieces that will be added to the front of the planter for extra detail.
Creating the Hanging Hole
A circular hole gets drilled near the top of the back panel to allow for hanging the finished planter. Nick uses a drill press with a forstner bit, but notes that a regular drill works just as well for those without a drill press.
The hole size can be adjusted based on available drill bits. The key is drilling from the front and stopping before breaking through to avoid tear-out on the back side.
Assembly Process
Assembly moves quickly using wood glue and brad nails. Nick arranges the box components with the rough side of the cedar facing outward for consistent appearance.
The main box assembly comes together first, followed by sliding on the pointed top cap piece. The decorative trim strips get positioned with an overhang at the front, creating shadow lines that enhance the visual appeal.
The entire assembly process takes about twenty minutes, making this an efficient project for batch production.
Versatility and Market Appeal
The finished planter works well for succulents, small plants, or even as a decorative candle holder. The hanging hole allows for wall mounting, or the planter can sit on surfaces as a standalone piece.
Nick suggests pricing these planters between ten and twenty dollars depending on local market conditions. Since one fence picket can yield multiple planters, the profit margins remain attractive even at lower price points.
This design demonstrates how simple woodworking projects using readily available materials can create sellable items perfect for craft shows or gift giving. The quick construction time and minimal material requirements make it ideal for woodworkers looking to create multiple pieces efficiently.
See Nick’s plans here: https://www.rockyriverwoodworks.com/plans-templates/p/planter-shelf-plans
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Cedar fence pickets are one of those materials that punch way above their weight class. They’re cheap, readily available at any home center, and that rough-sawn texture gives you instant character without any extra work. The key is embracing that rustic look rather than trying to sand it smooth — it’s what makes these planters feel authentic and handmade.
When drilling that hanging hole, starting from the front side is smart thinking. Forstner bits are ideal here because they create clean entry holes, but if you’re using a standard twist bit, backing it with scrap wood prevents that ugly blowout on the back. A sharp bit makes all the difference too — dull bits tear cedar fibers instead of cutting them cleanly.
The beauty of this design is how the simple box construction makes it perfect for production runs. Once you dial in your cuts and assembly process, you can knock out several in an afternoon. Cedar’s natural resistance to moisture makes these planters practical for actual plant use, though I’d still recommend a plastic liner if someone plans to water directly in them. At craft shows, having a variety of sizes from the same design concept gives customers options while keeping your setup simple.