If you need to refer back to our precious fence work, click here.
You should now have a box that has three sides and a bottom. You are now going to add the missing side. This is done by drilling and screwing three boards into the 2”board of the small end. Do this on both ends of the 8’ board. We are not adding a cross brace to the center of this side.
Making the pickets.
We can do this a number of different ways. You can make a template and cut each fence piece to have the same pointed end or rounded end or you can wait until it is assembled and give the whole segment a curve or point. It is totally up to you. If you are choosing to give each board a pattern individually, get them all prepped now. The optional jigsaw is for intricate designs.
You will want to be very close to the area this fence piece is intended as the project is going to get heavier and bulkier to transport.
Attach the first board to the side that has no cross brace. Drill pilot holes and screw into all three of the side boards. Using another fence piece as a spacer line up your next picket. Drill and screw into place. Continue across.
If you choose to cut the pickets as a whole, now is the time to do it.
Paint the entire fence/flower box and allow to dry. You can paint it any color but white gives it a clean look and lets it stand out.
Once dry, line the entire box with the garden plastic. This is to prevent weeds from growing up through the base, to allow drainage of water and to hold your soil in place. You can staple it into place if you want but the only value is to help you hold it up while it is being filled.
Next we add the soil. It will take a lot of soil. Make sure to really pack it down as the weight is going to help hold the fence up in a strong wind.
Consider when you add your plants that you have a depth of eighteen inches. This is a very substantial flower box. A row of petunias will be dwarfed. You will want to have two or three rows of plants to really fill it out and vary the height so the tallest are closest to the fence pickets and the smallest are up front.
It is a lot easier to make than to describe making. Once you have done one, the next ones will go much faster. Enjoy and don’t forget to check out Suite101’s flower garden sites for ideas for your region.
 |
