The DIY Log Planter That Adds Rustic Charm To Any Garden

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Trimming branches from trees leaves you with a slash pile that often needs to be hauled elsewhere. Thin branches that might not be ideal for firewood don't have to go into the chipper. Solve two problems at once by making planters or raised beds for free from logs. To do this, you'll cut short lengths of these trimmings to become part of a log planter. Arrange them vertically along a strip of mesh, one next to the other like a round mini-fence, and you have a cute container to fill with soil and plants.

If you're thinking about cutting down those trees hanging over your house, save branches that have between a 3 and 5 inch diameter. Their length will be up to you, since that will be the height of the planters. Once you've trimmed off the thinner branches, hold onto them; there are benefits to keeping a brush pile in your backyard for attracting wildlife!

Gather up a handsaw (manual or power), a staple gun and lots of staples, tape measure, ⅛-inch wire mesh, and wire cutting shears like these GARTOL Heavy Duty All-Purpose Scissors. Especially if you're using power tools, it's smart to outfit yourself with protective eyewear and ear plugs. And a thick pair of gloves is an absolute must.

Start by making a template log whose length you can use as a guide to cut the rest of your logs. There are no rules for how long the logs should be, just that they should be roughly the same length. Once you have a robust supply of small logs, determine the desired circumference and cut the mesh to that size. Alternatively, lay out the logs next to each other width-wise and measure their combined width. Mark that measurement plus 2 inches on the wire mesh; this will act as both a liner and structural support for the planter. For the plane that will make up the height of the planter, cut the wire mesh about 1 inch shorter than the logs so that the dirt will hide the lining.

Attach the logs to the mesh with three staples per log, making one long "sheet" of logs that you'll form into an enclosure. If you have lots of burrowing animals that like to snack on your growing things, give your planter a mesh base to thwart hungry pests. Once you've stapled all of the logs to the mesh, curve it into a cylinder. Use the 2 inch margin at one end of the mesh as a sort of tab that will overlap the other end of the log-and-mesh sheet. Use a generous amount of staples to secure this bit in place. Fill the cylinder with soil; if you've made a tall planter, try filling the base with aluminum foil to save soil. Add plants and enjoy your creation.