Deck Railing Planter Box

By By Brittany Goldwyn
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Kreg Academy Kreg Academy

This is a plan to create a simple planter box for a deck railing.

Difficulty easy

Tools

Kreg Tools

Other Tools

  • Miter Saw
    Miter Saw
  • Tape Measure
    Tape Measure
  • Clamps
    Clamps
  • Drill (cordless)
    Drill (cordless)
  • Workbench
    Workbench

Materials

Wood Products

  • 1 Board , 1x6 , 96"

Hardware & Supplies

  • 20 1 1/4" Blue Kote Kreg pocket hole screws
  • 1 Piece of medium-grit sandpaper
  • 1 Outdoor paint or finish of your choice
  • 1 Paintbrush
  • 2 Hanging planter brackets
See All Tools & Materials

Cut List & Parts

  • 2 Long Sides , 22.5"
  • 2 End Caps , 5.5"
  • 1 Bottom Piece , 24"
See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

  • Cut Pieces

    Cut the five necessary pieces according to the cut list. I've laid mine out here so you can get a rough idea of how they'll go together.

    Step 1

  • Drill Pocket Holes

    Drill pocket holes on the two long side (22.5") pieces. I drilled three on each end and then four along the bottom of each.

    Step 2

  • Begin Assembly

    Begin assembling the planter by drilling through the pocket holes on the end of one of the 22.5" pieces. This will attach one side of one 22.5" piece to one end cap.

    Step 3

  • Continue Assembly

    Continue assembling your planter by attaching the second 22.5" side piece to the other side of the same end cap you use in step 3. I used a clamp to hold everything in place on my workbench while I drilled.

    Step 4

  • Attach the Second End Cap

    Finish off the four sides of the planter by flipping it over and drilling down through the six pocket holes on the other end of the 22.5" pieces. Drill down to attach them to the second end cap piece.

    Step 5

  • Attach the Bottom Piece

    Finish the planter by attaching the four assembled sides to the bottom 24" piece. To do so, lay the 24" piece on your workbench and carefully line up the four assembled sides with the pocket holes you haven't used yet facing down. Then drill through the pocket holes to attach the four sides to the bottom piece.

    Step 6

  • Drill Drainage Holes and Finish

    Use any drill bit to drill three drainage holes in the bottom of the planter. Then sand any rough spots down by hand, wipe the piece down, and finish it using an outdoor protective finish of your choice. I used a light gray outdoor paint.

    Step 7

  • Hang on Your Railing

    Pick up two brackets from your local big-box hardware store to hang your planter from your deck railing. Make sure to pay attention to the size and weight your brackets can accomodate. Plant something in the planter and hang.

    Step 8