Projects / Planter box plans / 30″ long, 5½″ tall

30″ planter box, 1×6

A 30-inch herb planter with 5½″-tall sides and a slatted floor. Cedar lasts longest outdoors.

Beginner2 hours6 parts1× board
1×6 · 5½″ × 96″A SideA SideB EndB End1×4 · 3½″ × 72″C Floor slatC Floor slat

Cutting diagram

1×6 · 5½″ × 96″A SideA SideB EndB End1×4 · 3½″ × 72″C Floor slatC Floor slat

Bright pieces are your parts; the dimmed wood is left over. Every cut allows ⅛″ for the saw blade.

Cut list

PartQtyWidth × lengthCut from
ASide25½″ × 30″140 × 762 mm1× board
BEnd25½″ × 8½″140 × 216 mm1× board
CFloor slat23½″ × 28½″89 × 724 mm1× board

How to build it

  1. Cut two sides at 30″, two ends at 8½″ and two floor slats at 28½″. Cedar or redwood will outlast pine outdoors.
  2. Screw the sides onto the ends to make an open box 10″ wide, predrilling so the ends don't split.
  3. Screw two short offcuts inside each side, ¾″ up from the bottom edge, as ledges for the slats.
  4. Drop in the floor slats with a gap between them for drainage.
  5. Line the box with landscape fabric before adding soil. It keeps the soil in and lets water out.