*This was originally posted on the Western Garden’s Blog.
Whether you live in an apartment or have bad knees, and cannot kneel to garden any longer, this DIY Wooden Hanging Basket Stand is sure to make your outside space a happier one! I love that all of the planting can be done at the table, and that this stand has enough space for 3 hanging baskets, and two “shelves” for additional pots. This would have been just perfect for us all those years we were renting and only had a small patio and balcony!
Now I am not by any means super handy when it comes to working with power tools, but I dreamed up this idea, drew it up, and my husband helped me make it a reality! He worked for many years in fabrication and welding, so to him this was a breeze, but I have to say the easiness of the project made me so happy and want to attempt other diy wood projects! Not only is this frame visually appealing, it is also super sturdy and can hold quite a bit of weight and we built it for UNDER $15! Yep! That’s right! I already had the stain/paint, but the rest of the supplies were under $15!!!
What you will need for your Hanging Basket Frame:
- Miter Saw (you need to be able to make 22.5° angled cuts)
- Power Drill with #2 Phillips bit and ⅛ inch drill bit (for pilot holes)
- 2 – 8 ft pieces of wood 2.5 x 1.5 inches
- 1 – 8 ft piece of wood 1.5 x 1.5 inches
- 1 – 8 ft piece of wood 1.5 x .5 inches
- 3 J-Screws (4 inch)
- 3 nuts (¼ of an inch)
- 24 – 2 inch wood screws
- Sand paper
- Exterior Stain (I used Olympic Maximum)
- Paint brush
You will begin by measuring and marking each cut.
Measure and mark the 1.5 x 1.5 piece at 58 inches. **If you would like to add another 10 inches, you would be able to hang two additional hanging baskets, one on each side. This is up to you.
Measure and mark the 2.5 x 1.5 at 38 inches (x4)
Measure and mark the 2.5 x 1.5 at 19 ¾ inches (x2)
Measure and mark the 1.5 x .5 at 9 inches (x4)
Once you have measured them all go ahead and cut each piece.
Pull the 38 inchers aside. You will cut each end with a 22.5° angle, opposite direction on each end – this will help the two A-frames to sit right on the ground.
Now take the two 19 ¾ inchers and cut each end at a 22.5° angle – same direction on each end.
These 4 pieces will make your two “A” frames.
Lay the two 38 inchers on the ground with the 19 ¾ incher in the middle to form the “A.” Using your drill, you will drill a pilot hole in the direction shown here.
With the #2 Philips bit, insert the screw. Make another pilot hole about ¾ of an inch apart from the other screw, as shown in the picture above. Repeat this step on all 4 sides of the frame. Now you should have the two “A” pieces done.
For this step you will need someone to help hold the two “A” frames up. Lay the 58 incher on top of the two frames and measure 5 inches from the end. This is where it will lay. **If you decided to add the 10 inches, measure 10 inches from the end.
Now take the 9 inchers and drill a pilot hole, then screw it in. You will add another screw about ¾ of an inch just above that. Do the same on the other side.
Before you drill the pilot hole from the 9 incher into the 58 incher, use a level and make sure it is level and sitting evenly. Repeat it on the back side of the frame now.
Now drill the pilot from the 9 incher into the 58 incher, then screw them together.
It should look like this.
Now, to secure the 58 incher, you will drill two pilot holes in opposite directions as pictured above, on each side.
It should look like this.
I did a quick sand job so it would be smooth and easy to stain.
I used Olympic Maximum Sealant and Stain in one. We used it for our deck and it has held up really well. After allowing it to dry over night, we then drilled the 3 pilot holes 12 inches apart for the hanging baskets.
Here is what the “J” screws look like. They come with only one nut so you have to buy 3 extra nuts to have one nut on the bottom of the the “J” and another on the top, so it will be secure. Screw those in and you are ready to hang your baskets!
I have had lots of compliments on how much this adds to our yard, and my husband has had people ask him to make them one too! It really is an easy project that I think anyone would love to receive as a gift for Mother’s Day!
How will you be celebrating all the moms in your life this year?
See the Happy!
