Create a miniature herb garden in the buckets hanging from a space-saving frame.
Tools & Materials
Tools- Pocket-Hole Drilling Jig, Bit, and Clamp
- Drill and Bit Set
- Random-Orbit Sander
- Screwdrivers
- Tape Measure
- Level
Materials
- 2 - 1-in x 3-in x 8-ft Poplar Boards
- 1-in x 4-in x 8-ft Poplar Board
- 4 - 2.5-qt Metal Paint Buckets
- 1-1/4-in Cup Hooks, pack of 4
- 2 - 6-1/4-in Black Plant Brackets
- 120-Grit and 180-Grit Sandpaper
- Rust-Oleum Hammered-Copper Spray Paint
- Herb Plants of Your Choice
- Valspar Paint: Flood Tide, #5001-6A
- 1-1/4-in Pocket-Hole Screws (may be included with jig kit)
Instructions
Assemble the Frame
Step 1
From 1 x 3 poplar boards, cut the top and bottom rails (A) and sides (B) to length (Hanging Bucket Planter Project Diagram). For both sides, drill two pocket holes at both ends on the inside faces.Good to Know
To avoid splitting the poplar boards, drill pocket holes at least 3/4 inch from the edges.
Step 2
Glue and screw the sides to the top and bottom rails.
Step 3
Measure between the sides for the length of the horizontal rail (D) and cut it to size. Drill pocket holes in the inside faces at both ends of the horizontal rail, and glue and screw it to the sides.
Step 4
Measure from the edges of the horizontal rail to the top and bottom rails, and cut the vertical dividers to length. Drill pocket holes in the inside faces, then glue and screw them to the horizontal rail and the top and bottom rails.
Step 5
Sand the completed frame with 120-grit and 180-grit sandpaper and wipe clean. Paint the frame the color of your choice (Flood Tide shown) and let dry 24 hours. For an optional look, use a sanding block to distress the surface.
Hang the Planter
Step 1
Remove the stickers and wash each bucket thoroughly with grease-dissolving detergent. Let dry and spray on two coats of hammered-copper paint. Let dry 24 hours before adding any soil.
Step 2
On the inside top of each of the four openings, drill centered 1/16-inch pilot holes. Screw a cup hook into each hole.
Step 3
On the surface where you’ll hang the frame, use a level to position two plant hooks about 25 inches apart and mark the mounting hole locations. Add wall anchors as needed and mount the hooks on the surface.
Step 4
Hang the frame from the plant hooks and check that it will be stable in the wind. For drainage and to make changing plants easier, plant herbs in plastic planters that can slip inside the buckets. Then hang the buckets from the cup hooks.
