Building a flower box - Free PDF Plan

Model ABT-4001
Flower boxes are a nearly indispensable addition to a treated-wood terrace. The model illustrated here includes a false bottom to support a flower pot. We don't recommend you plant flowers directly into it, unless you're prepared to line the interior surface with polystyrene board and a polyethylene film. Only use treated-wood screws (porcelain coated or stainless steel) to build your flower box, otherwise you'll be faced with traces of rust after a few years.

Get your actual free plan for this flower box as well as the list of required materials for this project. For viewing and printing, you will need to use Acrobat Reader software.
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PDF Plan ABT-4001 (400 K)
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1. Build the base
2. Build the bottom
3. Build the sides
4. Build the external structure
5. Nail the boards in angle
6. Build the ledge
7. Create the false bottom

1. Build the base

Build the base frame by assembling four 2 × 4 boards, pre-cut to the required length (A). We have chosen to use screws to assemble the box. You could also use nails.

2. Build the bottom

To build the bottom, attach a piece of 1/2 in. plywood, pre-cut to the correct dimensions, to the frame (B).

3. Build the sides

From your sheet of plywood, cut four boards - to the required dimensions - to be used as sides for the flower box.(C). Over the entire length of two opposite sides (the longer sides if the box is rectangular), attach a 2 in. × 2 in. wood strip, about 12 inches from the top (height may vary according to your needs). The strips will support the false bottom you will insert later (C).

Screw in the four sides to the outside of the base, leaving a 1/2 in. space between the lower edge of the sides and the bottom of the base so the plywood will not be in direct contact with the ground. This will avoid swelling of the plywood caused by the absorption of water.

4. Build the external structure

To make the corners, cut eight 2 × 4 boards in a length equivalent to the height of your flower box, from the lower edge of the base to the upper edge of the plywood. Cut one corner of each board at a 45° angle. Attach the boards to the vertical edges of the box to form the four corners (D).

Attach, horizontally, pre-cut 2 × 4 boards along the base and the top of the box, between the corners in such as way as to go around the box (E).

5. Nail the boards in angle

Cut 1 × 6 boards at 45° angles to cover the outside of the four sides. Nail them into the plywood, leaving no spaces between the boards (F). Be sure your measurements are accurate so you can end up with a nice finish.

For a different look, you can nail the boards vertically or horizontally.

6. Build the ledge

Attach, horizontally, 1 1/4 in. × 4 in. boards to the upper edge cutting the ends at 45° angles in such a way as to form corners where the boards meet (G).

7. Create the false bottom

Cut 1 × 6 boards and attach them (or simply drop them without attaching them) at right angle (perpendicular) to the strips in such a way as to create the false bottom (H).
All that's left for you to do is to attach the flower box to the terrace by screwing the base (from the outside) at 45° angle through the floor.

Consult our Gardening Columns to find a thousand and one ideas to arrange your flower box. Our Plant selector will help you make your choices in keeping with the needs of each variety.

And enjoy those wonderful summer perfumes!
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