I've been diving into woodworking by creating and selling planters in different sizes—recently 16 inches and 46 inches long, both 16 inches wide. Now I have a request for a much larger planter measuring 36 inches by 60 inches. While I'm confident in adjusting my designs for these dimensions, I'm a bit concerned about ensuring that the structure is strong enough. I usually build supports at the ends for the shorter ones, but for this new size, should I consider adding extra support in the middle as well? Any tips on how to strengthen these larger planters? I'm currently using cedar fence pickets for the construction.
1 Answer
You shouldn't need middle support for a 5-foot planter unless you're using heavier materials like composite decking. I guess you're sticking with 1 1/2" thick cedar, right? That should hold up just fine without needing anything in the middle.
I'm actually using 19/32" thick cedar pickets. I wanted to avoid using pine since it rots faster outside, and treated wood can be undesirable for veggie planting.