Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
STEPS TO BUILDING A PALLET HANGING GARDEN
With a bit of effort and lots of imagination, an old, dingy and dirty courtyard can become sparkling and new again – just in time for peak summer entertaining season. Simply clean your dirty pavers and mouldy table using a high-pressure washer, repurpose a redundant barbecue corner with pallets and bring in plants for glorious colour. Then fire up the new barbecue, set the table, sit back and enjoy! Use the cornered structure of an old barbecue with built-in shelves to whip up an alfresco trellis with a twist. Simply paint your planks, hang on the wall, then add plants for a fresh new foliage feature.
Gather your supplies
• Recycled timber pallets (2)
• Exterior paint
• Variety of plants and wall baskets plus hooks/hangers
You’ll also need Tape measure; pencil; circular saw, paint tray and roller; drill; 50mm wood screws; 8mm masonry drill bit; blue wall plugs; 50mm galvanised batten screws Here’s how
STEP 1 Measure and mark pallets for cutting. Allow for the thickness of pallets in your design so their slats will meet at inside corner.
STEP 2 Use circular saw to cut pallets on marked lines.
STEP 3 Apply 2 coats of paint to pallets with a roller, letting it dry after each coat.
STEP 4 Sit pallets upright so slats meet in a butt join at inside corner. Predrill. Join slats with wood screws.
STEP 5 Lift pallet in place in corner and prop up.
STEP 6 Drill through back of pallet into wall with 8mm
masonry drill bit. Insert wall plugs in holes. Screw in pallet with batten screws (ideally 4 at each corner). STEP 7 Pot plants in wall baskets and hang off slats of pallet. Use old barbecue for extra showcase space.