A cedar planter on four legs with its rim at 36 in, so you can plant and pick without bending. The legs run up to the rim as corner posts and the box boards are screwed flat against them. A slatted bottom lets water drain, and landscape fabric over it keeps the soil in. The soil sits about 10 in deep. Square cuts, screws only, common cedar stock.
Before you buy anything, it helps to know three things: how big the finished build is, what you’ll bring home from the store, and how the assembly goes. Here they are for the Elevated Cedar Planter Box, straight from the plan.
How big is it?
The finished size is 48 × 24 × 36 in (122 × 61 × 91 cm), width × depth × height. Measure the spot where it will stand before you start.
What you’ll buy
The shopping list comes to about $286 at the prices we saw (Sep 27 – Oct 5, 2026). Prices change, so check your own store.
| Qty | What | At the prices we saw |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1x6 CEDAR, 8 ft | $96.20 |
| 3 | 2x4 CEDAR, 8 ft | $40.14 |
| 2 | 4x4 CEDAR, 8 ft | $67.14 |
| 1 box | #8 x 1-5/8 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 box | #9 x 3 in tan star flat-head deck screws | $10.97 |
| 1 | Easy Gardener WeedBlock landscape fabric | $10.47 |
| 5 | Miracle-Gro Organic Raised Bed and Garden Soil | $49.85 |
The shopping list names what to buy; the cut list in the plan turns those boards and sheets into parts. Check both before your first cut.
Tools you need
- Tape measure
- Speed square
- Pencil
- Miter saw
- Drill/driver
- Drill bits (1/8 in and 5/32 in for pilot holes)
- T20 and T25 star driver bits
- Bar clamps (at least 2, 24 in or longer)
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection
How the build goes
The plan has 7 steps, each with a drawing and the parts it uses. The plan’s own estimate is about 3–5 hours; treat it as an estimate.
- Cut the parts
- Build the first leg frame flat
- Build the second leg frame flat
- Stand the frames up and add the end aprons
- Add the slat rails
- Fasten the box sides
- Lay the drain slats and line the floor
Before you start
- Compare the shopping list with the stock sizes your store actually carries.
- Check every measurement against your own materials before cutting.
- Read the safety notes at the front of the plan and wear the protective gear it lists.
What the plan includes
- Preparation packet PDF (shopping list, cut list, tools), 7 pages
- Build guide PDF, 21 pages
- Preparation packet PDF, metric (mm) (shopping list, cut list, tools), 7 pages
- Build guide PDF, metric (mm), 21 pages
- Offline animated 3D build guide (ZIP; open guide.html in a web browser; guide-metric.html for mm)
It is a digital build plan: nothing physical ships. See the plan.
These plans are for planning and personal use. They are not engineered drawings and do not claim compliance with any building code. Check local rules and use your own judgment on site.
General planning guidance. Follow your chosen plan and tools’ instructions; ask about unclear dimensions or substitutions before cutting.