How to Build a Window Box
Today, many urban dwellers do not have the luxury of a back yard. But this doesn't mean that they have to be deprived of the pleasure of a garden. No, they can still cultivate and enjoy plants. How? By utilising a window box. Why not set yourself the morning task of creating your own window box, and bring the delights of the great outdoors into your living space? It's really very easy. Just follow these easy steps and you can't go wrong.
(1) Use 6 x 1 inch softwood. After measuring the width of your window opening for the box that is to sit on the sill, cut three lengths of board slightly less than this dimension. Also cut two end pieces to complete your rectangular box. In the bottom panel drill some drainage holes.
(2) Create an attractive pattern on the front side of your window box using a spade bit and chisel. For instance, to make a cloverleaf design, plot out a series of 1 inch equilateral triangles spaced about 6 inches apart. Drill out the cloverleaf shape using a 1 inch spade bit centered on the points of each triangle. Then tidy your design up with a chisel and sand paper.
(3) If your box will be attached to the wall,get some strong metal brackets to fit the depth of your box and fix them securely to the wall using masonry wall plugs.
(4) To assemble the box glue and nail the back, bottom and front panels to the ends.
(5) If your box will sit on the window sill, cut out three 1 inch square softwood supports to the length of the bottom panel. Glue these to the bottom of the box.
(6) Plane the supports to accommodate the slope of the window sill, so that the box sits horizontally level.
(7) Complete the box with polyurethane paint or varnish.
(8) Make a fitted liner from a polyethylene sheet. Piercing it to make drainage holes.
(9) Fasten your window box to the sill with wire ties.
You are now ready to fill your window box with plants. So, what are the ideal plants to place in your window box? That depends on the amount of sun available. For a spot with a lot of sun (6 hours per day) try cascading petunias, marigolds, geraniums, scarlet runner beans and herbs. If your setting receives partial sun ( 4 hours per day) choose Impatiens, Lobelia, Moonflower vines, herbs or scented geraniums. For an area that doesn't get much sun (less than 4 hours per day) go for impatiens, lily of the valley and begonias.
(1) Use 6 x 1 inch softwood. After measuring the width of your window opening for the box that is to sit on the sill, cut three lengths of board slightly less than this dimension. Also cut two end pieces to complete your rectangular box. In the bottom panel drill some drainage holes.
(2) Create an attractive pattern on the front side of your window box using a spade bit and chisel. For instance, to make a cloverleaf design, plot out a series of 1 inch equilateral triangles spaced about 6 inches apart. Drill out the cloverleaf shape using a 1 inch spade bit centered on the points of each triangle. Then tidy your design up with a chisel and sand paper.
(3) If your box will be attached to the wall,get some strong metal brackets to fit the depth of your box and fix them securely to the wall using masonry wall plugs.
(4) To assemble the box glue and nail the back, bottom and front panels to the ends.
(5) If your box will sit on the window sill, cut out three 1 inch square softwood supports to the length of the bottom panel. Glue these to the bottom of the box.
(6) Plane the supports to accommodate the slope of the window sill, so that the box sits horizontally level.
(7) Complete the box with polyurethane paint or varnish.
(8) Make a fitted liner from a polyethylene sheet. Piercing it to make drainage holes.
(9) Fasten your window box to the sill with wire ties.
You are now ready to fill your window box with plants. So, what are the ideal plants to place in your window box? That depends on the amount of sun available. For a spot with a lot of sun (6 hours per day) try cascading petunias, marigolds, geraniums, scarlet runner beans and herbs. If your setting receives partial sun ( 4 hours per day) choose Impatiens, Lobelia, Moonflower vines, herbs or scented geraniums. For an area that doesn't get much sun (less than 4 hours per day) go for impatiens, lily of the valley and begonias.
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