This project was built and designed by Joe Heide from Woodworkers DiyLemma. It’s a durable, elevated garden planter box made with fence pickets, combining strength and style for a practical outdoor upgrade.
Raised planter boxes are a great way to grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers without the hassle of bending down or dealing with poor soil. Joe’s build focuses on long-term durability and a clean, symmetrical design that looks great on patios, decks, or in the yard.
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Why Build a Raised Garden Planter?
A raised planter has several benefits beyond convenience. It improves soil drainage, limits weed growth, and creates a more controlled environment for your plants.
This project also adds aesthetic value to your yard or patio. With clean edges and a uniform profile, it stands out as a sturdy, intentional piece of outdoor furniture—built to last through seasons of weather and use.
Materials and Tools Overview
While exact dimensions are not included in Joe’s video, the build centers around weather-resistant fence pickets, ideally cedar or similar rot-resistant wood. Additional materials include galvanized screws, wood glue, and brad nails.
For tools, Joe uses a circular saw (or table saw), drill, measuring tape, clamps, and a square. A brad nailer and glue bottle make quick work of joining panels, while spacer blocks and clamps help keep everything straight during assembly.
Preparing the Wood for Assembly
The build starts with preparing the fence pickets. Each board is flattened, lightly sanded, and trimmed to length. Joe emphasizes sanding the back sides of the pickets before gluing, which helps create a stronger bond.
These prep steps also ensure the faces of the boards will sit flush against one another during assembly. Accuracy early on saves a lot of hassle when clamping or driving in nails later.
Constructing the Side and End Panels
The first major step is constructing the side panels. Joe elevates the boards slightly using spacers to allow clearance for clamps. He then aligns the boards flush on the outer edge and secures them with glue and brad nails.
Multiple sizes of brads are used throughout the build to match the different board thicknesses. This helps maintain strength without splitting the wood.
Once the side panels are built, attention turns to the end panels. These follow the same process—test fitting, applying glue, and fastening with brads. Joe pre-drills nail holes in narrower sections to prevent splitting and improve long-term hold.
Adding Internal Supports
To reinforce the planter box, joists and internal braces are added next. These provide support for the soil load and help prevent bowing under weight or moisture.
Joe uses a spacer block to keep joist spacing even and to streamline installation. The added bracing not only improves strength but also helps the box keep its shape over time.
Depending on your design, you can also incorporate a bottom shelf or center brace. These additional elements can add strength or offer storage space underneath the planter.
Clean Assembly and Finishing Details
With the major panels assembled and joined, the focus shifts to finishing the structure. Joe trims any uneven edges, checks the squareness of corners, and applies additional glue where needed for reinforcement.
He makes sure all screws are seated properly and brads are flush. Small details like this improve both the look and structural integrity of the finished box.
Though not shown in great detail, adding a protective outdoor finish—like an oil-based sealer or exterior-grade stain—will help protect the planter from water, sun, and weather.
Optional Design Adjustments
Joe’s design is adaptable depending on your needs. You can easily modify the height to make gardening more comfortable, especially if you have mobility concerns or limited space.
The shape can also be adjusted—going wider for more planting area or narrower for tighter patio spaces. Materials can be swapped as well, but fence pickets are a great choice due to their affordability and rot resistance.
A Functional and Rewarding Project
This planter box is a great option for beginner and intermediate woodworkers alike. It requires only basic tools and techniques but delivers a functional and long-lasting result.
Whether you’re looking to grow herbs near the kitchen or create a centerpiece for your garden, this box is strong enough to handle the load and sharp enough to turn heads.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Joe’s channel: