Great Gardening Projects for Dads and Their Kids

Planter boxes and raised garden beds are so easy to make, and if care is used when designing them, they can compliment the appearance of your home and yard. They make the perfect weekend project for dad and the kids. First dad and the kids will need to decide if they want to build 'rustic' planter boxes, which the wood is left in its natural state; or decorative, more formal boxes. These boxes usually are painted and can be quite ornamental. The tools needed for both types of planters will be the same, just the materials list will be slightly different. The tools needed for our Dad and Kids Gardening Project are:

Jigsaw

Square

2 clamps

Drill with bit

Tape measure - if you don't have one a folding ruler will do

Pencil

Hammer

Paint brush

Sanding block with sandpaper

Materials List

Dowel/caps

Waterproof glue

Galvanized finishing nails

Wood screws

Lath

Lumber - I prefer 1x4's

Paint or stain

If dad and the kids want to build a more decorative planter - molding and decoration - whether it be rosettes or any type of scrolling.

First, dad and the kids will have to decide where they want the planter to go. Once it is built it might be kind of hard to move. The next step would be to decide which type of wood to use.

Redwood and Cedar are usually used for outdoor projects such as this because they age beautifully. They are a hard wood and tend to resist decay. Pressure - treated pine can also be used, and is considerably less in cost. Other types of wood can be used, but make sure you paint or stain it to give more protection against the elements.

*A quick note: my son used some left - over siding from his house on the outside of his planters; then painted them the same color as the house. They turned out really nice.

It is my experience that kids and power - tools do not mix. If your kids are insistent on helping with all of the work; use hand tools. A little bit of extra time with the hand saw is so much better than one of the kids getting hurt. Besides, with hand - tools being used, dad can supervise and kids can work.

Dad and Kids Garden Project: Step One

Measure and mark the lumber for the sides of the frame, and for the bottom of the planter. Measure the lath the height that you want the planter.

Dad and Kids Garden Project: Step Two

Using your saw, cut where you made your marks.

Dad and Kids Garden Project: Step Three

Measure and mark where you want to drill the holes to screw everything together. I like to counter - sink my screws, and then glue dowel - caps over the screws. It gives a more finished look to the planter.

Dad and Kids Garden Project: Step Four

Before screwing the sides to the corner lath post, put down a bead of glue, screw together and then hold with clamp until glue is dry. This will make your seam more sturdy.

Dad and Kids Garden Project: Step Five

Line up bottom boards with the sides, drill, and then screw together. Make sure to use wood screws.

Dad and Kids Garden Project: Step Six

Screw all the sides together, making sure to counter - sink and put caps on.

After your planter is all put together, give it a good sanding to make it smooth. Then you are ready to paint or stain. Make sure that you do this with the grain of the wood; it won't leave ridges.

If your planter is very large, it will be heavy once it is filled with soil and plants. By putting casters in the corners on the bottom will make it easy to move.

You have now finished your Dad and Kids Garden Project. Make sure you put it in a place of honor in the yard. It will be a reminder to you and the kids for many years to come, of the fun you had that day, building it.