How to make planters sleeves

DIY project from NZ Gardener magazine

Hide plastic pots with these easy to make planter sleeves, plus, it’s a great way to use up scrap timber.

Learn how to make planter sleeves

You will need

Materials:

  • 36mm x 12mm timber batten or similar
  • Stainless steel or galvanised strapping
  • 16mm exterior timber screws with a dome or pan head
  • Your choice of Resene finishes

Tools:

  • Measuring tape and pencil
  • Mitre saw or hand saw
  • Tin snips
  • Drill and bit to fit your screw head type
  • Sandpaper
  • Paintbrushes or cloths

Cost: $15 This excludes Resene products.

Instructions

 

Step 1 - Determine the size and amount of timber required Step 1
Measure the height of your pot and add 20mm, this will be the length of your timbers.

 

Work out the circumference of the top of your pot (diameter x 3.14), add 20mm to this measurement and divide by the width of your timber. This will give you the amount of timbers you need to cut.

 

For example, 230mm x 3.14 = 722.2mm + 20mm = 742.2 divided by 36mm = 20.6. Round up to 21 slats needed.

Step 2 - Cut your timber to size and sand Step 2
Using a mitre saw or hand saw cut your timbers to size, and sand with the sandpaper.

Step 3 - Stain your timbers and allow to dry Step 3
Lay out your timbers and stain. Leave to dry. I used Resene Waterborne Woodman penetrating wood oil stain exterior in Resene Limed Gum.

Step 4 - Cut your strapping to size Step 4
Using your circumference measurement plus 100mm, use the tin snips and cut the strapping to this size. This gives extra for wrapping inside the timbers.

Step 5 - Secure the strapping to your timbers Step 5
Layout your timbers close together in a row, making sure they are nice and straight.

 

Measure to the middle of the timbers and mark. Place the strapping into the centre of the timbers. Using the drill, screw the 16mm screws along the strapping making sure each piece of timber is secure.

Step 6 - Wrap the stapping together and screw into place Step 6
Wrap the strapping together so the ends overlap inside and screw into place. If you have a larger pot, I recommend using two straps 50mm in from each edge of the timbers.

Project by Jane Horne

 

Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew design and develop projects from their studio in Christchurch, managing projects throughout the South Island.

› Download the PDF of this project