DIY Wood Stump Planter

• Corded Variable Speed Hammer Drill

• 2’’ High-Speed Steel Forstner Drill Bit

• ⅜” Drill Bit

• Wood Chisel

• Mallet or Hammer

• Gardening Gloves

• Potting Soil

• Plants

Any stump should work for this project, but there are some things you should look for when starting. Check out the size and width of the stump. The bigger the stump, the heavier the planter will be, so if you want it easily movable, a smaller stump would work best. Make sure the stump has a flat bottom so it can sit up straight and not wobble as you work.

Use a pencil or a marker to draw a circle in the center of the stump, leaving at least two inches from the bark. If you carve out your hole too close to the bark, the walls of the planter won't be as sturdy and can crumble over time.

Add the forstner bit to your handheld drill and begin drilling holes inside the drawn edge. Continue around the circle and repeat the process, moving closer and closer to the center. This can be a time-consuming step. Turn over the stump to dump the chips of wood from the hole as you work. Repeat this whole process again to deepen the hole. Tip: It’s best to use a corded drill because this can be a time consuming process, and it will drain your batteries quickly.

If the stump is freshly cut, it may be very dense and you might have trouble drilling through. If so, swap out the forstner bit for a ⅜” bit and repeatedly drill holes to help loosen up the wood. Continue drilling with the forstner bit until you’ve carved out at least four to six inches deep.

Place the chisel along the edge of the hole and hit it with the mallet. Continue to do this along the edge to clean it up. Don’t worry about trying to make it perfect, just focus on getting rid of any sharp indents or grooves. Turn the stump over and empty out any wood shavings.

Tip: Spread the shavings around your garden. Doing this can prevent weeds and retain moisture in the soil.

Add about two inches of soil inside the bottom of the hole. Remove the plastic pots from your plants and lightly break up the roots before placing them in the hole. Add soil around the plants on top of the roots until the hole is filled.

Tip: Like a terracotta pot, the wood will soak up a lot of the moisture so there is no need for drainage holes. However, if you want to add drainage holes, use a drill bit that is long enough to reach the bottom of the carved hole to the base of the stump before adding the plants.

Place the planter by your doorstep, along a path way or in your garden and water immediately. Swap out your flowers throughout the seasons for a fresh feel. Enjoy your beautiful natural planter!