Using cedar fence pickets, you can make these beautiful planters for about $20 each! Our plans include step-by-step diagrams, shopping and cut lists, and dozens of reader submitted photos and success stories.
We also have plans for a taller, more modern planter, a cedar ladder planter (also using cedar fence pickets!) and lots more planter projects here.
Dimensions

Dimensions shown above.
Preparation
Shopping List
2 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
3 - 5 1/2" wide x 72" long cedar fence pickets
1 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
2 1/2" exterior pocket hole screws
1 1/4" exterior screws or galvanized nails
exterior wood glue
Cut List
10 - 1x3 @ 17"
5 - 1x2 @ 17"
4 - 2x2 @ 23 3/4"
12 - cedar fence pickets @ 17 3/4" long (shortened by 1/4" from diagrams to allow for saw blade width and dog eared end)
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Step 4
Project Type
Room
Comments
Andrew Malizia (not verified)
Wed, 08/08/2012 - 13:07
Neat project Ana. These will
Neat project Ana. These will tie in nicely with my short 30" cedar fence around my front porch I just built. I even have 16" cedar boards leftover from my cuts.
Error: Cutlist: 10 - 1x3 @ 17" (You've listed 1x8)
Thanks again!
In reply to Neat project Ana. These will by Andrew Malizia (not verified)
Ana White
Wed, 08/08/2012 - 15:03
Thanks for the catch!!! Will
Thanks for the catch!!! Will fix now. Thank you!
Kaila (not verified)
Wed, 08/08/2012 - 13:16
Alas...
...Cedar Fence Pickets don't seem to exist in my part of the country! I have a friend that works for Blue and he says they don't actually carry cedar in this region (central PA) in anything but pre-fab fence sections and corner posts. :-(
Guess I'll have to go the more expensive independent store cedar board route for my planters and raised beds.
orangesugar
Thu, 08/09/2012 - 08:24
Neither orange nor blue carry
Neither orange nor blue carry cedar fence pickets in my area (CT), I've looked multiple times.
vic b
Thu, 08/09/2012 - 12:44
cute
cute
Back Woods Woo…
Tue, 10/30/2012 - 22:08
Problem
I have a small problem. I have my 1/8" gap on all sides like the plans say, but as soon as I put my PH screws in the gap goes away. That even after I glued it and nailed it. So my gaps in the middle are no longer 1/8". But it still looks good even with the bigger gap, but I'll post some pictures as soon as I finish it.
Monique (not verified)
Sat, 12/15/2012 - 17:21
Planter Cost
I absolutely love your website. I'm so excited to get started on a few of your plans. You're any inspiration. Is the budget or $20 the cost per planter?
Continued blessings,
Monique
mybartmart
Sun, 04/07/2013 - 13:15
planter trouble
Well for me the 1/8th of an inch over on each end didn't work when attaching the 2x2's it made them buckle a bit inward. I think next time I would just make it flush. They are very sturdy when done and look great in different finishes.
JavaJoe
Wed, 06/11/2014 - 14:29
Smaller, more finished version of these cedar planters
I used the main plan for ideas, but opted to use 3.5 inch pickets instead of the 5.5's, which allowed for a smaller planter that wasn't as big. Also chose to miter 1x3s for the top which I think really finishes it off. Used cedar for everything, including the one bys. Sanded everything with a belt sander to 220 grit.
Assembled using a pneumatic staple gun from the backside, then finished with exterior wood screws so nothing would show.
For the finish, I used minwax golden pecan plus three coats of poly inside and out (much faster to treat all the boards first before cutting and assembling), to keep the rain out! Finished size was about 17x17. Tile spacers work great to keep the gaps even!
Thanks so much for the good idea... the wife loved it which is the most important thing (especially if you want to keep buying new tools LOL!!!)
Angel Rose
Sun, 06/15/2014 - 11:59
Protecting the bottom wood
Made two of these. Love them, but the slats I put in the bottom rotten/molded quickly. What have others used to protect the wood at the bottom or are most people using a plastic inserts?