{DIY} Window Box Garden, Part I

I’m so looking forward to sharing with you my latest Apartment to Home DIY decor project: Window Boxes! The idea behind the window boxes was to block out a view of the unsightly driveway that runs along one side of our triplex unit. They would also provide some added space for gardening, since my total outdoor space is relatively limited. My hope was to fill the planter boxes with lush perennials in greens and whites, and colorful annuals, which could be changed out seasonally.

When hunting for suitable planters, however, I quickly came to the unpleasant realization that window boxes are pretty pricey; the 3 ft. box in the picture above runs about $100 on Amazon. Also, the windows on my old building are a bunch of random sizes. To get a perfectly tailored fit, I would need to have them custom made.

Or…being the fabulously handy housewife I am, I could custom-make my own! Obviously, that’s the choice I ultimately landed on. I solicited the hubs and my father-in-law to help. Since my father-in-law has just about every manly-man’s tool under the sun, we didn’t have to purchase anything besides the materials: wood, wood screws, wood glue, trim molding, finishing nails. The total cost came to under $10 per box…over $90 in savings! I was so shocked, a part of me considered going into the window box-making business full time.

Here’s the step-by-step photo tutorial of how I made my boxes…

Buy supplies, choosing nails, screws, and wood that are water resistant. I decided on cedar fencing because it was very cheap, and won’t expand when wet.

Be sure to sand down all sides of the wood that will be facing out on your window box. We were grateful to have an electric sander so this step took a matter of minutes to complete.

Measure and saw 3 pieces of the wood to the correct length. Tip: Unsure of how deep or wide to make your box? Check out the specifications for boxes on sale online to get a good gauge on industry standard dimensions.

Glue the bottom and 2 sides together using wood glue to hold it in place. You’re still going to screw the pieces together; the glue simply holds them in place while you do so.

To prevent your wood from cracking, drill pilot holes where you plan to insert your screws. Then, screw the boards in place down both sides, spacing the screws about 4-5 inches apart.

It’s okay if you make any boo-boos. That wood glue is some powerful stuff!

Measure, glue, and screw on some end caps. Don’t forget pilot holes on this step, too.

Flip your box over, and drill a bunch of drainage holes across the entire bottom of your box. Don’t be shy about it either, your flowers will thank you later.

Add your trim. This was the biggest pain of the whole project because we had to very carefully cut the trim at 45 degree angles, for a perfect fit. Have patience though. The trim adds so much to the overall look of the boxes.

And voila! Window boxes are ready to be painted and planted!

So how did they turn out? Well, you’ll have to check back tomorrow for the big reveal…