- Choosing the best wood for the project is as important as how you build it. There are many types of wood, but some are unsuitable. For example, pressure-treated pine contains chemicals that can harm plants, and untreated pine can decay outdoors and fall prey to wood-boring pests. Raw or bare redwood and cedar resist the elements and pests, and they won't harm most plants. Teak makes a durable weather- and pest-resistant planter, but the high cost can limit you to a smaller box.
- The size of your planter depends on which plant it will contain. If you want a planter for small trees or medium-size shrubs, build it large enough to hold the root ball with room to spare on the sides and top. BBC Gardening Guides recommends making it heavy enough to prevent the plant from toppling over. It doesn't matter if the planter is much larger than the root ball; it matters a great deal if it is so small that it cramps the roots and prevents you from covering them with soil. If your planter will contain a collection of annuals, anything goes as far as size. Build it to suit your taste, fill it with soil and add only as many plants as will fit with enough space to spread. Approximate dimensions for a typical planter are 18 inches on all sides, but you can build one that is round, rectangular or hexagonal in any size you like.
- Putting your planter together requires fasteners, special joinery techniques or adhesive, and any of these can be problematic. Nails can loosen, especially if the planter is moved, so they are a poor choice. Screws will hold the wood together snugly, but use galvanized screws to help prevent rust. Because of the continual presence of moisture, glue should be your last resort. You can avoid fasteners and glue by building a round planter with upright or vertical boards around the sides that are bound by a galvanized metal strap, similar to the way wooden barrels are made. Rout or cut a continuous notch or groove around the inside of the planter close to the bottom to hold the bottom board.
- Carve, burn or paint decorative details such as leaves, flowers or your family name on the wood for a fancy, elaborate planter. Raise the planter off the deck or ground using screw-in bun feet or short replacement table legs. Make a raised frame platform from 2-by-4 boards sitting on edge that are cut and assembled to match the bottom edge of the planter. Use wider boards for a taller platform. Set the planter on top for a raised display. Drill small holes into the bottom board or add intentional gaps between boards during construction to help water drain.
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