Easy Guide to Making Planters from Pallets at Home

You can create a planter from pallets at home with some basic tools and materials.

To get started, gather an old pallet, some wooden planks, a saw, a drill, and a hammer.

You'll also need a few screws and some nails to secure the pallets together.

The pallet should be sturdy and have a flat surface to work with.

Measure the pallet to determine the size of your planter, which will depend on the space you have available and the type of plants you want to grow.

A typical pallet planter can be around 4-6 feet long and 2-3 feet wide.

To build a planter from a pallet, you'll need a few basic tools. A handsaw, jigsaw, or even a mini-chainsaw can be used to cut the pallet wood.

You'll also need some fasteners to reassemble the pallet. A hammer and long nails, or an electric screwdriver and decking screws can do the job.

Personal protective equipment is a must-have when working with power tools. Goggles and work gloves will keep you safe from injury.

If you want to smooth out the wood, some sandpaper can come in handy.

Take a look at this: Wood Shipping Pallet

Before you start building your planter, make sure to inspect the pallet for any nails or screws sticking out and giant splinters. Check the pallet for any signs of toxic pesticide treatment, such as methyl bromide.

Look for a stamp that says "HT" (heat-treated) to ensure the wood is safe to use in garden beds. This is crucial to avoid any potential harm to your plants and the environment.

Make sure the pallet is solid and secure, and won't fall apart when you start cutting it up.

Cut the ends of the DIY pallet planter to create the end panels. Take the leftover piece from down the centre and remove the back parts as you only need the front at this point. Hold it up on end next to one of the side pieces and measure the height you need to cut to create an end panel.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly half the height for mine, so I needed to make two cuts, which will give you a piece of pallet resembling the first image below. Cut two extra pieces as shown in the second image below, these will complete the end panels.

Make sure to measure carefully and cut accurately to ensure your end panels fit perfectly.

To keep your pallet planter clean and in good condition, it's essential to store it in a clean area. Keep Pallet Planters off the Dirt, as it's much better for them to be on cement or against a wall than on the ground.

A clean area will also help prevent pests and diseases from spreading to your plants.

Assembling the planter is a crucial step in creating your pallet planter. It's a process that requires some patience and attention to detail.

Start by assembling the three main sides of the planter, which typically include the front, back, and bottom. The bottom piece will have all the spacers and planks removed, while the other two parts should have the spacers at the bottom.

Making pilot holes first is essential to ensure a secure connection between the pieces. Screw the three pieces together to form the base structure of the planter. If you're using pallet wood, be prepared for some imperfections, but don't worry, it's all part of the charm.

Attach the end panels to the planter box using wood screws, and don't be shy with the number of screws – extra support and stability are always a good idea.

To finish your pallet planter, you'll need to add the two short sides, which can be cut to size from the smaller planks taken from the reverse side of the pallet.

You can use sandpaper to smooth out any rough areas of wood, but it's not strictly necessary. I've never sanded any of my pallet planters before, and they've turned out fine.

After adding the sides, you can attach the pallet planter to a fence or wall with screws if you prefer. However, be aware that the area between the planter and any other surface could become mucky or rotten.

For lining the pallet planter, you can use landscaping fabric or even plastic bags from compost. This layer helps prevent potting mix from escaping through cracks and the bottom of the planter, and also retains moisture.

Lining is a crucial step in creating a pallet planter that will last and thrive. You can use landscaping fabric or plastic bags to line the pallet planter box.

This layer helps prevent potting mix from coming out through cracks and the bottom of the planter, and also retains moisture. I've recently come across a 100% natural landscaping fabric made from cornstarch that would be perfect for this project.

To line the pallet planter, you can use either weed fabric or plastic. Cut the material so that it is slightly bigger than the area you want to enclose. Use a staple gun to hold the liner in place, folding and stapling any leftover liner.

You'll also want to make sure you have a way for excess water to escape from the lining of your planter. Cut a couple of small holes to make this work. Proper drainage is essential for healthy plants and a long-lasting pallet planter.

You'll want to finish off your pallet planter box by adding the short sides. Cut the smaller planks to size and screw or nail them into place.

Using sandpaper is an optional step, but it's a good idea to smooth out any splinters or rough areas of wood you might have encountered while working.

If you're planning to paint your pallet planter, you can measure it to fit a specific space and use a coloured stain to give it a finished look. This will add a nice touch to your project.

Sealing your planter is a must to keep bugs and moisture out. You'll need a plant-safe wood sealer to get the job done.

These sealers don't last long, so you'll need to reapply them regularly or accept that you're only temporarily extending the life of your planter.

You can fill your pallet planter with a mix of materials and press it in firmly. Next, water it in and check if it needs a top-up of growing medium.

The mixture inside the planter will have enough nutrients for a season, but you'll need to replenish them eventually. To do this, dig it over each time you replant to bring nutrients up to the surface.

Add nutrients to the planting hole in the form of compost or organic fertilizer when putting plants into it. You can also top up the surface of the planter with a 1-2" layer of compost mulch each year.

Planting a pallet planter is a straightforward process. Fill the planter with the mixed materials, press it in firmly, and water it in.

You'll want to check if it needs a top-up of growing medium after watering. Once prepared, you can sow seeds and put plants directly into it.

Dig over the mixture inside the planter each time you replant to bring nutrients up to the surface. This will keep the soil healthy.

Add nutrients to the planting hole in the form of compost or organic fertilizer when you put plants into the planter. This will give them a boost.

Consider the sunlight needs of each plant as you make your arrangement before planting your flowers. Some flowers will do better in a pallet planter than others.

Don't be afraid to get creative with your pallet planter design. You can add more space and dimension by hanging milk jugs or pails on the side.

You can fit a lot of plants in a large pallet planter like this one. Check out how many colorful and beautiful flowers you can fit in it.

Make sure to replenish the nutrients in your pallet planter from time to time. You can do this by watering the soil with organic feeds.

Growing a variety of crops in a pallet planter is a great idea. You can grow ornamental greenery, flowers, or even shrubs.

To grow most food crops, you'll need a spot with partial to full sun, ideally with six to ten hours of direct sunlight per day.

Carrots, tomatoes, and basil are all great options for a pallet planter. I've grown carrots in mine for a few years now, and they do well in a deep planter like this.

You'll need to water your pallet planter daily, so make sure to keep on top of that.

Adding a trellis or string can transform your pallet planter into a vertical planter, perfect for growing eggplants or other climbing plants. I'm planning to try this with my pallet planter this year.

Raised plant beds are a great way to organize your garden and start growing your favorite veggies, herbs, and flowers without breaking the bank. You can use reclaimed wood from wooden pallets to build them.

Wooden pallets are a cheap and nice resource for projects like this. They can be taken apart and used to build raised plant beds for your garden.

Pallet DIYs are quick and easy, and because the pallet forms the frame or structure of the item you're making, there's no need for complicated woodwork techniques or lots of tools.

Discover more: Pallets for a Garden

You can build a pallet planter vegetable garden in just seven easy steps.

First, knock out every other top board from a long pallet to create a frame for your garden.

Nailing a tarp to the bottom of the pallet and poking holes for drainage is a must.

Add some dirt, plant your seeds, and wait for them to grow.

Cut out some letters to spell "garden" and create laminated labels for your plants.

A fresh viewpoint: Pallets Vertical Garden Ideas

Designing a planter from a pallet is all about embracing the worn look and working with the wood's natural characteristics. You can't change the thickness of the wood, but you can adjust its length and width with a chop saw or handsaw.

Letting the size and thickness of the wood determine the size of the planter is a great approach, as it ensures you're using up all the available wood and can create a range of different sized planters.

If you want to add legs to your planter, simply make your square corner pieces longer – it's all about personal taste.

Creating a basic planter with garden fabric is a great way to get started with DIY gardening. It's a simple and cost-effective method to create a planter that can be used to grow a variety of plants.

To begin, you'll need to scrub down the pallet if it's dirty and sand any rough edges. Use a bit of dish soap dissolved in water to scrub it down with a sturdy brush.

You'll also need to cut garden fabric to fit the back and sides of the pallet. Cut it large enough to completely cover the back, leaving enough room to go up the sides of the pallet, too.

Here are the steps to follow for stapling the fabric to the pallet:

Attaching the fabric to the sides is a bit trickier, but it's still a straightforward process. Flip the pallet over and pull the fabric up each side. Staple it in place near the top of each side, making sure to fold the fabric flat into a triangle shape at the corners.

Curious to learn more? Check out: All Pallets Side Order

A single pallet is quite enough for crafting a cute vertical planter like the one found on themicrogardener. If you want to achieve this design, you'll also need a few extra boards for the shelves.

You can take these from another pallet to maintain the same style. The paint really helps to change the look of the pallet and is great if you want the planter to match your garden fence or something else.

You have several options for actually adding the plants to a pallet garden, as you've seen, you can make boxes that you can plant things in, but there's also the option of hanging planters as a way to add more depth to the pallet garden and to make the most of it.

This pallet herb garden is nice and small, easy and cheap to make, and can be easily incorporated into an outdoor area. It could serve as a cute green divider or as a decoration.

You can basically grow anything you want if the conditions are right and what better way to enjoy the process than with a custom, handmade planter? If you want to grow something big like large plants or even trees, you'll need a big planter and you can build it out of pallet boards.

A pallet planter, especially a big one like this, can hold a lot of plants. Check out how many colorful and beautiful flowers you can fit in this one. It has multiple layers and you can put multiple plants on each one and it even has a wheel so you can easily move it around if you want to change its location.

This pallet herb garden can be super simple and still look lovely. This one is made from a single pallet with no need for extra boards.

For your interest: Raised Garden Beds from Pallets

You can start with small pots and containers, but they require more watering and their size can limit what you can grow inside.

Large garden planter options are often expensive, which is why pallet planters are a great alternative.

Container gardening is a great way to get started with gardening, especially if you're new to it. It's the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to grow your own food, herbs, lettuce, and strawberries just outside your door.

You can start with one or a few containers and begin with small pots and containers, but they require more watering and their size can limit what you can grow inside. Many large garden planter options are expensive, but you can build pallet planters which are inexpensive, safe to use with food crops, and big enough to grow practically anything you'd like.

Pallet planters are a great way to reuse materials for your garden while creating a custom planter that fits your needs. With free pallets often available from local stores, this simple project can turn leftover pallet wood into a functional and gorgeous planter box.

You can also combine a pallet planter with hanging planters to add more depth to the pallet garden and make the most of it.

Mobile planters are a great way to bring some greenery into your life, even if you have limited space or no yard at all.

You can build a mobile planter using boards from a pallet to make the frame, and then fill it with soil. Landscaping fabric on the bottom is a must to prevent weeds from growing up through the soil.

A mobile planter can be as simple as a shallow box on wheels that you can place wherever you want. This is a great option for small balconies or patios.

Using reclaimed wood from a pallet is a nice and cheap resource for projects like this, allowing you to organize your garden and start growing veggies, herbs, and other things without breaking the bank.

To ensure your planters from pallets remain safe and functional, it's essential to maintain them properly. Regular cleaning can prevent the buildup of debris and moisture that can lead to rot and insect infestations.

Keep in mind that pallet planters are more susceptible to water damage than other types of planters, so be mindful of overwatering. As mentioned earlier, it's crucial to drill drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating inside the planter.

By following these simple maintenance tips, you can extend the life of your pallet planter and keep your plants thriving.

Check your pallet for the marking MB, as this means it was treated with methyl bromide that's hazardous to your lungs.

HT marked pallets are safe to use, indicating they've been heat treated.

Don't assume an unmarked pallet is safe just because it doesn't have a stamp - it could still have been treated with methyl bromide.

Be cautious of pallets with company stamps, as taking them without permission is considered stealing.

Make sure to double-check the pallet's ownership before taking it for your garden project.

Maintenance is a crucial part of keeping your pallet planter in good condition. Expect a lifespan of about 3-5 years or 3-6 years, depending on your climate and environment.

You can extend the life of your pallet by painting the wood with a non-toxic wood preserver. Two to three coats will protect the wood for many years to come.

Seal the inside joints and areas where two pieces of wood meet with non-toxic silicone sealant. This will help prevent moisture, soil, insects, and rot from getting into the wood.

Be very careful when using other sealants, wood preservers, and paint on your DIY pallet planter. Many contain toxic ingredients that you don't want to leach into the soil or your food.