This DIYer Turned a Pallet into a Gorgeous Planter in 20 Minutes
It’s finally that time of year when you can turn your attention to your outdoor space and start revamping your porch, patio, and garden for the spring and summer seasons ahead. Before buying any new planters, check out this super-easy DIY project that turns a wooden pallet into a planter in under 30 minutes using just a few common tools. (No measuring required!)
“This literally took me 20 minutes, a jigsaw, a screwdriver, and some screws,” said content creator Jenny Game from Jen’s Home Journal in a recent Instagram video.
Creating a Planter from a Pallet Is Truly So Simple
To start, you’ll first want to cut your pallet, which you can likely source for free from local grocery stores, home improvement shops, and other places where large shipments are dropped off (just make sure to ask management before you snag them!), in two places, which Jenny demonstrates in her video. This will leave you with a center section that will be trimmed down with an additional simple eight cuts. “Although I’m using a jigsaw, you can use a hand saw for this instead,” Jenny explained.
The three pieces of cut pallet are then screwed together to create a basin, and the offcut slats are screwed back into place to add reinforcement at the sides. “Once they’re attached, that is it!” Jenny shared. You can leave the planter as is, but stain or paint is recommended to keep the planter from rotting after a single season.
Determining Whether Your Pallets Are Heat-Treated Or Chemically Treated Is Important
Pallets are either heat-treated or chemically-treated to make them safe and durable enough for shipping. You can figure out whether the pallet you source is heat-treated by looking for the appropriate stamp. Because heat-treated pallets are chemical-free, they’re safe for planting veggies, and you can use a breathable liner like burlap or landscape fabric before adding your soil and plant.
If you’re using a chemically treated pallet, line the planter with some sort of waterproof barrier, like plastic sheeting or tarp, before adding your soil and plant. In either scenario, liners will help keep the soil from falling through the cracks.
People were immediately smitten with Jenny’s DIY project. “I have a pallet I’ve been trying to get rid of and this is perfect!!!!!” one person commented on Jenny’s post. “On my way to find some pallets,” another person added.
Unsurprisingly, people were also impressed by how good the planter looks while being inexpensive. “This is great, as planters can be so expensive. You make it look so easy,” to which Jenny reassured her followers that this DIY actually is as easy as it looks!
Give this pallet-to-planter project a go to spruce up your backyard. It’ll give you the perfect spot to grow some blooms or veggies — hopefully without having to spend a dime.