The Planter Box

 It's summer & time to plant.  I saw https://www.instructables.com/Self-Watering-Veggie-Table/ and decided to do my own version.

I had leftover pressure treated wood to use. Because the soil will be in a plastic bucket, I don't have to worry about those nasties getting into any food we grow.

I bought 2 plastic storage bins.  It should be about the length of your arm because you're going to be reaching across it.  The width is up to you.

Let's see about the frame.  I used 2x4s for the uprights and the top horizontal.  The lower horizontal is a 2x6.

I marked the widths into the uprights to cut a notch.  You want it tight so it helps keep things rigid.  You can always cut more.

Having the lower horizontal inside helps support the bottom of the bin.  The top horizontal isn't really supporting enough to worry about.

I used construction screws to hold the horizonals into their notches.  You could use nails too.  The strength comes from the notch.

To connect the front and back, I have a 2x4 with a notched end fit into a notch in the 2x6.  The 2x4 should be in the middle under the bin to support the weight.  There is 1 screw from the top of the 2x4 down into the notch and 2x6.

Not shown is a 2x4 going from front to back.  The 2x4 is 1/2 lapped and screwed onto the sides of the front & back.  There won't be weight on it, but it will need to keep the front & back from spreading apart or getting closer!

What about that self watering?  These are plastic baskets.

I have 6-7" long 3/4" diameter PVC pipes.  I cut holes in the basket that the pipes could fit tightly in.

The top one should protrude above the soil so you can fill it. 

The other pipe goes out the front of the bin so it can't be overfilled. 

I found I had another PVC pipe whose inner diameter is almost big enough to fit around the 3/4".

I sliced off thin sections and and used them as a collar on either side of the basket or bin to hold them in place.  I used a heat gun to soften them.

It's a bit goofy and maybe I should've just used silicone caulking.

Ready to get your shoes wet!

You can see the lower horizontals here.