Make It Monday: Tiered Flower Planter

I saw this planter a while ago and knew immediately that I wanted one for my front porch. We really needed something to brighten things up.

We used 3 plastic pots (15", 12", 8"), a bag of topsoil, a 3/4" dowel, and a flat of flowers (I chose impatiens because my porch is mostly shaded.)

Don't forget to enlist the help of a pretty assistant.

Drill a hole in the bottom of the 2 smaller pots.

Ours had a convenient spot right in the middle that was perfect for Leighton to drill for me.

Next comes the fun - playing in the dirt!

Alyssa held the dowel in the pot in that middle well (as shown in the above picture) while I poured in the dirt. You could also dump the dirt first and then push the dowel down.

Zac joined in on the fun, too!

Boys and dirt.

After you're done playing with, er, filling in the dirt, thread the middle-sized pot on the dowel.

Fill that pot with dirt, too.

Playing, optional.

Add the smallest pot and fill with dirt.

It's probably a good idea to cut off the excess dowel before adding the final pot and dirt.

Probably.

But where's the fun in that? It's much more challenging to add the pot, fill it with dirt, and then try to use the sawzall to cut the dowel while not cutting the planter. 

Much more fun, right? Riiight.

A smart person would add the pot, mark where to cut, remove the pot, cut the dowel, re-add the pot, and then fill with dirt.

I'll leave you to decide which person I am.

Finally, add your flowers.

Well, I shouldn't say finally. You'll still have to sweep up all the dirt that was spilled, put away the tools, water the flowers . . . and set up the sprinkler to wash off the kids.

You get the point.

It'll be totally worth it though.


The entire project can be done in about 20 minutes and costs less than $25. Next year, all I'll have to do is pay for the flowers.

I love our new planter!