Plumbing pipe never looked so good!
PVC pipe is a craftsman's friend:it's tough, cheap, weather resistant, and easy to work with. B. Original hostess Michele Beschen puts this humble plumbing fixture to work on her patio with an elevated planter made of PVC. It's a great way to bring her plants up to her eye level and add dimension to her garden.
Scroll down to see how Michele Beschen turns leftover plumbing materials into something fun and original!
4" diameter PVC pipe
1" diameter PVC pipe and fittings or galvanized steel pipe
scrap wood
saw or handsaw and miter box
punch out
3" drill bit
1" drill bit
rubber mallet
silicone glue or caulk
sandpaper
paint suitable for plastics
1. Cut a 4" PVC pipe to 12½ inches long. Also cut a thin slice of the excess pipe; you will use this as a template later.
2. Find the center of your PVC pipe and use the 3" drill bit to drill a hole in the center. Drill two additional 3" holes, aligned with the first hole and evenly spaced between it and the ends of the pipe.
3. Turn the tube upside down. Directly across from the center hole, drill a 1" hole in the center of the pipe - your planter post will go here. Switch to a smaller drill bit and drill two weep holes, one on each side of the 1" hole.
4. Use the thin 4" PVC slice as a template for your planter end caps. Trace the inside of the PVC slice onto the scrap wood and cut out two circles of wood. Use a rubber mallet to tap them in. the ends of the planter; secure with glue or silicone caulk.
5. Attach your publication. If you are using a PVC post, you can use standard PVC fittings to attach it to the planter. (You may also need to use contact cement or PVC adhesive.) Michele Beschen used a galvanized and threaded steel tube as his post. Since it fit his hole snugly, he simply screwed it onto the end of the pipe. If you do this, be sure to keep the planter level while threading it onto the pipe.
6. Now it's time to B. Original with some paint. Sand the rough edges of your holes and prep your planter with a plastic primer before painting. Or you can just paint it with a spray paint suitable for plastics. Use other paint colors to dress up, and you're ready to plant!
