EASY STEPS TO MAKE A PLANTER BENCH SEAT

Once your pergola is up to scratch, build a bench seat to make the most of your exquisite outlook.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Make 2 seat frames by butting frame studs into frame plates at ends and then evenly along them. Screw together using 100mm batten screws.

STEP 2 Use frame cross rails to join seat frames together. Place 5 top rails on edge over studs, then predrill and screw down through rails into frame, using 100mm screws. With 3 bottom rails, place on inside and middle of frame against side of studs and join with 60mm screws.

STEP 3 Make planter box by gluing edges of sides and butting into front and back. Predrill with countersinking drill bit and screw together with 50mm screws. Place feet across bottom of box and screw in place with 50mm screws. Use circular saw to cut 40mm wide battens out of ply offcut to run around inside of box 25mm from top edge to support plastic troughs. Fix with 30mm screws.

STEP 4 Apply 2 coats white

paint to box, seat frame and all slats for seat and box.

STEP 5 Turn box on its back and sit seat frame on top so bottom of frame is flush with planter feet. Screw through studs in seat frame into box using 100mm screws.

STEP 6 Nail front slat to front of seat frame flush with top edge. Make slat overhang each end of frame by 22mm.

STEP 7 Glue and nail front slats to top of seat frame, set 5mm apart and overhanging each end by 22mm.

STEP 8 Glue and nail front slats to planter. Start with a full board at top and space 5mm apart using spacers. Nail once to hold each slat, then, once happy with the spacing, nail them all off. Rip (cut) the last board along its length to fit gap to the seat.

STEP 9 Glue and nail short and long-side slats to ends of unit.

STEP 10 Rip paling along length to make capping for planter top. Cut to length, glue and nail in place.

STEP 11 Fill nail holes using filler, let dry and sand smooth. Touch up paint. STEP 12 Insert troughs into planter box, fill with po ing mix and plant out. Water in plants.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 5

STEP 4

STEP 3

3 take a seat and relax Enjoy a lazy a ernoon on your new bench seat. Buy extra materials and you can also knock up a small side table that lets you keep a refreshing drink close to hand.

STEP 8

STEP 7

STEP 9

STEP 6