Project Guide
How to Build a Window Box Planter
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Time Required: 2-4 hours
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Difficulty: Advanced
Window boxes make a lively addition to your outdoor decor, adding extra color and texture to your exterior design. In addition, window boxes give avid gardeners additional space to plant some of their favorite flowers and plants. Use this handy project guide to build your own window boxes.
Tools
Materials

- Measure the dimensions of the window for width, height and distance from the top of window to the ground

- For the project shown, we made the inside top of the structure 7 feet tall and and 5 feet wide.

- Make two lattice panels as shown, measuring 12 x 84 inches.
- Use the 2- x 2-inch x 8-foot boards as the frame, using 2-inch screws to attach.
- Use the 1- x 2-inch x 8-foot boards for the inside lattice, using 1 ¼-inch screws to attach the centers.

- Cut two 2- x 4-inch x 8-foot boards to 78-inch lengths.
- Mark 9 inches in from each end and cut with a jigsaw.
TIP: Draw your template on a piece of cardboard and cut with scissors when satisfied with shape.
Use as a template to mark all the ends needed.

- Cut seven 21-inch lengths from the 2- x 6-inch x 8-foot boards.
- Mark 9 inches in from only one end of each length and cut with a jigsaw.
- Notch each piece 3 ½ inches deep, from 0 to 1 ½ inches and from 10 ½ to 12 inches, to make room for the 2-inch x 4-foot boards.

- Assemble the boards from steps 4 and 5 in an interlocking grid with all short pieces facing the same direction.
- Secure the structure using glue and large screws as needed.

- Lay the side panels flat on ground to attach to the top structure; make sure it fits squarely inside.

- Use two 5-foot long pieces of 1- x 12-inch x 8-foot board for the front and back of the box.
- Make the sides with the desired angle to attach the front.
- Use a piece of 1- x 8-inch x 8-foot board for the bottom of the box.
- Use wood glue and screws for a solid bond.
- Drill drainage holes in the bottom of the window box.
- Attach to the frame so the box is below the height of the windowsill.

- Put a layer of rocks at the bottom of the window box to stop the drainage holes from getting clogged.
- Add potting soil and flowers.
Don't worry if you don't own all of the tools needed to complete this DIY project. Rent tools and trucks for any project at The Home Depot.