EASY STEPS TO MAKE YOUR HANGING PLANT FRAME

This simple structure will help define your new outdoor zone and add an extra dimension to your bench installation.

Gather your supplies

• 90 x 90mm H4 treated pine

• 75mm screw eye hooks

• Hanging baskets

• Coconut fibre

• Selection of plants

• Potting mix

You’ll also need Angle grinder fitted with a diamond cutting blade; hammer; bolster; spirit level; drill; countersinking drill bit; long 5mm drill bit; 8mm masonry drill bit; blue wall plugs; 150mm galvanised batten screws; circular saw; black exterior paint; painting gear

Here’s how

STEP 1 Set out position of posts for your frame. If you have a header course of bricks that protrudes past the wall below, as here, mark width of posts on header course and the depth to the wall. Use angle grinder to cut bricks along these lines.

STEP 2 Use a hammer and bolster to smash out bricks where posts will sit. Clean up inside of cutouts with angle grinder so posts will sit hard against wall below.

STEP 3 Position posts against wall, use a spirit level to make plumb and predrill for screws using a countersinking drill bit. Use 3 screws at top, middle and bottom of wall, making sure screws will go into centre of a brick. Continue drilling all the way through

the posts, using a long 5mm drill bit.

STEP 4 Remove posts and, where holes in posts meet the wall, drill a hole using an 8mm masonry drill bit.

STEP 5 Insert blue wall plugs into holes and use a hammer to tap in until they’re flush with the wall.

STEP 6 Reposition posts and screw through holes in posts into wall plugs, using 150mm ba en screws.

STEP 7 Use spirit level to draw a level line across all posts at desired height of planting frame. Cut as needed with circular saw. STEP 8 Cut top rail of frame to match overall width of posts. Sit on posts and predrill through rail into posts using 5mm drill bit. Screw together with ba en screws.

STEP 9 Apply 2 coats of exterior paint to entire hanging frame. Allow paint to dry a er each coat.

STEP 10 Determine the hanging points for plants on frame, leaving enough space between them so they look even when hung. Predrill at these points, insert screw eyes in holes, then screw in place. Use a drill bit or screwdriver to help you gain leverage and turn screw eyes easily. STEP 11 Line baskets with coconut fibre, add po ing mix and plants, then water in. Hang from screw eyes.

8 create a comfort zone Hanging plants such as senecio help create a visual barrier and enhance the feeling of an enclosed space. 9 accommodate a surprise Make a large pot into a mini garden with a striking Gymea lily, which has a powerful, towering flower in spring!