Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
PROJECT 2 GROW BOX
Make a vertical garden that doubles as a design feature by wall-mounting a simple plywood box.
Gather your supplies
• Top 776 x 295 x 17mm formply
• Bottom 776 x 295 x 17mm formply
• Sides 1800 x 295 x 17mm formply
• Back 810 x 1800 x 18mm marine ply
• Front facing 846 x 270 x 18mm marine ply
• Side facing 295 x 270 x 18mm marine ply
• 200mm reinforcing mesh
• Dulux Concrete Effects paint in Onyx Edge
• 750mm water-saver planter
You’ll also need PVA glue; drill; countersinking drill bit; 50mm screws; undercoat; painting equipment; steel float; cloth; 600-grit sandpaper; nail gun and nails; wood putty; exterior clear coating; spirit level; masonry drill bit; masonry screws; angle grinder fitted with a metal cutting blade; mesh clips; 20mm button head screws; plant; potting mix Here’s how
STEP 1 Spread glue along short edges of top and bottom. Butt into sides, predrill and screw using 50mm screws to make a box.
STEP 2 Undercoat one face and long edges of back. Let dry. Pour concrete effects paint on undercoat. Use a steel float to spread the paint and smooth the surface. Hold the trowel at an angle and keep edge clean of paint by wiping regularly with a cloth. Leave to dry for 2 hours then apply a second coat, followed by a third. When dry, polish surface using 600-grit sandpaper.
STEP 3 Place back, with painted side down, over box and align the edges. Predrill and screw back to box using 50mm screws.
STEP 4 Nail front and side facing to one end of box. Fill nail holes with putty, let dry, sand smooth. Apply 2 coats exterior clear coat allowing to dry after each coat.
STEP 5 Hold grow box against wall and make level. Put prop under to hold it up. Predrill through box into wall using a masonry drill bit. Screw box to wall using masonry screws. Use at least 4 screws to hold it.
STEP 6 Use angle grinder to cut steel reinforcing mesh to size and insert into box. Fit mesh clips over the end and screw to top of box using button head screws. Leave a gap of about 25mm between the mesh and the back of the box.
STEP 7 Insert planter into bottom of box, train the plant up the mesh, then fill trough with potting mix.