Privacy screen planter box using pallet timber

[Yorky88]

This planter box was built with recycled pallet timber and features a screen perfect for growing climbers.

• The project
• How to build a raised garden bed
• More raised garden bed projects

The project

I built this recycled timber planter box with a privacy screen.

How to build a raised garden bed

Grow your own garden in raised garden beds by following this step-by-step guide to building a raised garden bed by Horticulturist and Workshop member Adam Woodhams.

For beginners, Adam has also shared a step-by-step guide to building a simple raised bed, while MitchellMc shared how to build a raised garden bed using pallets. 

More raised garden bed projects

Find more fantastic raised garden bed projects in our Top 10 most popular raised garden beds. You can also get ideas in our Top 10 most popular screening projects.

[#2]

Find more fantastic raised garden bed projects in our Top 10 most popular raised garden beds. You can also get ideas in our Top 10 most popular screening projects.

[BoeingFan]

G'day @Yorky88 ,

I really like this raised garden bed and screen, and I've been thinking about shrubs/trees to plant and break the line of sight to to my neighbours, but your privacy screen planter box is perfect! Do you have any steps/instructions/materials available by chance? Thanks

Cheers,

Jason

[EricL]

Hi @BoeingFan

Let me tag @Yorky88 to make sure he sees your kind words and question. It is a fantastic combination of a planter and a privacy screen. The best part is that the screen will be held in place by the weight of the garden bed. I am curious to know as well as to how the bottom part of the planter was built.

Eric

[Missskybird]

@Yorky88 

This is exactly the planter box I have been wanting to make. A great way to add some more garden options and screen for privacy. Are there any instructions available and options for timber other than pallets?

[KatieC]

Hi @Missskybird,

I agree, @Yorky88 has created a really inspirational project. Our resident DIY expert @EricL will be back online later this afternoon to assist with the different timber that would be suitable for a project like this. I'll also tag our knowledgeable Workshop members @IDIG and @LePallet to check on their advice. In the meantime, I suggest you check out these great articles:

• How to build a raised garden bed by @Adam_W 
• 5 ways to create a vertical garden 
• Top 10 most popular planter box projects

We would love to see what you create, please update us with photos. 

Katie

[mich1972]

@Yorky88  How’s your wonderful screen planter going ? What have you got growing on there ? 🌿😊

[Akanksha]

Hi @Missskybird,

Jumping in this discussion to add that once you do manage to build this wonderful privacy screen planter box, have a look at our guides How to create privacy by planting and also How to choose a screening plant, both authored by experienced Workshop member and horticulturalist Adam (@Adam_W). They might come in handy when you're choosing which plants to grow in your planter box. Always happy to assist if you have any questions. 

Good luck with your project. Look forward to seeing the finished result.

Akanksha 

[EricL]

Hello @Missskybird 

It's great to hear that @Yorky88's planter box has inspired you to make your own. As far as timber materials go you could technically build it out of any timber that is at your disposal such as merbau, pine, cedar or redwood. Just be aware that the timber you use must be suitable for outdoor use and if plan on planting vegetables in the planter box to use timber that is non-toxic.

In regards to the privacy screen itself the choices are even greater as you don't have to make the screen in the same material. That is of course on the condition that you are not using the screen as a climbing spot for the plants. Panels like the Matrix Panels and Timber Lattice panels can easily be attached to the back of the planter box.

You can pretty much build the planter box to the size and shape that is suitable for you. If we were to take an educated guess at the size of the planter box in the photo, you'll see that the panels are uniform in size, typically 100mm x 20mm. This means that the planter box is at least 400mm tall and because it fits in a standard box trailer, we can guess that it would be at least 1.6m long. For convenience and covering ability, you would at least want it as tall as a standard person which is around 1.6m as well.   

Here are some excellent examples of how to build a planter box:

• Bench seat with storage and planter box by @LePallet 
   
• Fruit boxes from Tassie Oak offcuts by @RodAndo 
   
• Jarrah planter boxes by @Rustikman 

Here is a guide that you might find handy: How to build a portable planter (you can use the box building technique on a larger scale)

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when building your planter box.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[BoeingFan]

Oh I love this. Well done! I could happily use a couple of these, I just need to buy a trailer so I can get some pallets home

[KK64]

would be fantastic if @Yorky88  would share the instructions on how to make this instead of just teasing us with this fantastic project, i would love to make this but have no idea where to start, quick simple instructions would be nice  

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @KK64. It's terrific to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about this wonderful project.

Hopefully, @Yorky88 can provide some additional information on their project. In the meantime, you might like to check out this simple step-by-step guide on How to build a raised garden bed using pallets. It's almost identical to the base, which you see here, except I've used shorter vertical slats instead of longer horizontal ones. Unless you have a supply of long pallet skids, then the shorter sections from normal pallets will be easier to acquire. 

The backing board is constructed from three vertical supports and horizontal members. For something you can plant into, you might like to check out How to build a vertical garden.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell