This past weekend was lovely here in Southern Ontario, while the kids were swimming I was plotting all of the backyard DIY projects I wanted to get done this year. As I sat on the deck, the sun warmed my skin and my gaze fell upon the bane of my backyard existence. At the furthest back corner of our yard, under some huge pine trees sat my husband’s Grandfather’s ancient workbench.
Although some may call it an antique, I call it rotting. It is something which holds vast sentimental value for us but we simply couldn’t display it as it was. I began plotting a DIY Planter Table project, it would be perfect for my gardening needs and we had just the right spot for it. I eagerly filled my husband in on my plan and we got to moving this HEAVY piece into it’s new spot. As you can see in the photo above the fence has been damaged from our lovely dog who slams herself against it to “attack” the dog next door. Having a new, beautiful planter table there would help deter her from this.
We headed out to the hardware store and grabbed our supplies and began working.
DIY Planter Table
For this project we picked up some Cedar fence boards, these will weather well and who doesn’t love the look of cedar?
I also pulled out my Ryobi Ultimate Combo Kit which is my go-to tool kit for DIY jobs. This 18V 6pc combo kit has everything you’ll need for a project like this, the contents are:
- Drill/Driver with Screwdriver Bit
- Circular Saw
- Reciprocating Saw
- Impact Driver
- JobPlus™ Base
- Multi-tool Head
- Wood/Metal Cutting Blade
- Segment Saw Blade
- Sanding Pad
- 5 Pieces Sandpaper
- Allen Wrench
- Universal Multi-tool Accessory Adaptor
- Worklight
- Dual Chemistry Charger
- 18V ONE+ ™ Compact Lithium+™ Lithium-ion Batteries
- Tool Bag
- Operator’s Manuals
These tools are a great fit for me; they are light in the hand and have Lithium batteries which last 4x longer.
The first thing we had to do was to remove the rotting wood, we were able to save most of the top surface but the edging had to go. We pried off the pieces we could and used the Ryobi Reciprocating Saw with the metal bit to cut off the stripped screws. Then I changed to the wood bit and cut a nice clean edge. The table was now ready to be refaced.
We measured out the cedar fence boards to fit the length of the table top and cut them using the Circular Saw. We wanted to keep the ancient clamp for the charm so we used the JobPlus™ Base with Multi-Tool attachment and cut the cedar to fit.
I used the Ryobi Drill and drilled pilot holes in place, then screwed them into the top. The workbench transformation was underway!!
We then used a chop saw to make angled cuts on the edge pieces. Again, I used the drill for the pilot holes and drilled them into place. We repeated the process for the backer piece and voila, our new planter table was ready for some water seal.
Once I’d placed my herb pots and an annual planter on the table, it began to be something beautiful. Now this corner of our yard is lovely again and we’ve kept that sentimental piece and made it useful again. This process will work for any table you’d like to reface and make into a planter table, don’t be shy to go and give it a try!
WIN a Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Drill ($109 value)
My friends at Ryobi Power Tools have kindly provided me wtih a Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Drill to giveaway to one very lucky Canadian reader. This drill is awesome, I know the winner will love it as much as I do!
Catch up with all that is happening with Ryobi Power Tools on Facebook , Twitter or on the Ryobi Power Tools website.
Entering is simple, just fill in the form below. All entries will be verified, this contest ends on June 18th, 2014. The winner will have 48 hours to respond.
Disclosure: I was provided the Ryobi Ultimate Combo kit, all opinions are my own.
fixing our patio would be a start of my projects with the Ryobi Drill.
I would use it to build a patio in our backyard.
would love to make a shelf for my Son’s toys
The landscape consultant told us the best place for an elevated planter box in our yard, so that’s what I’d build first!
We end to rebuild our deck and fence ..this drill would come in handy
wow look at you go!! awesome job.
We need to fix our front porch it’s getting wobbly
Plan on building a 3rd deck and a large wood swing this summer..this would come in handy so both I and the hubby could have one :)
I have a 101 jobs to use this for.
id use it for most things around the house but i think first would be to build a wardrobe
I want to entend my backyard deck. This drill would come in handy
I have some reclaimed wood from an old barn and want to use it as a top for a coffee table.
Well we have so much to do around here, as I have a very old house, my bathroom still has to be drywalled and our back deck is falling apart that really needs to be done, and these tools would come in handy to get the job done!! thanks for another great contest Julie!!
Deck
I’d hang some paintings
Getting our deck started
We have tons of reno projects in the works and would using this drill when fixing up our basement.
This would come in handy for removing the doors on my cabinet, so I can sand and stain it.
I need to replace some boards on the deck!
We are planning to redo our kitchen and this drill would really help.
Making my Herb wall
Uh…. to be honest, I likely wouldn’t use this but my hubby would sure get use out of it!! lol
In the summer I need things to be hung around the backyard.
ps. I love the dress/jumper you’re wearing & looking good!!
We are trying balcony gardening this year so we’d love to make some kind of structure to grow our veggies!
I would use it all around the house. But it would be great this summer to help building a new gate for our yard.
It would be great to have MY OWN set of tools to get all kids of projects done around the house instead of waiting for my very busy husband to take an afternoon to focus on the “Honey Do” list! Finishing the lattice on the back yard patio, working on the next steps of finishing the basement….. ;-)
Redo our storage closet, adding shelves and such to make it more organized.
I have several pallets that I want to make into tables and elevated gardens. I also would like to make a small garden shed out of some….but alas do not have the proper tools :)
First, I am super impressed by what you built! I am aiming to build planter boxes, like bed ones for my garden.
I would love to make a bookcase and some planter boxes!!
Oh my where to start, we have so many projects in mind, building planters, and putting up a fence
my husband would use it to redo our deck!!
We will be redoing and adding on to our deck and putting up a fence, so we’d use it there.
I have a planter box that needs repairing. that’s my first project.
I would give the drill to my husband so he could build me a storage chest for my entryway.
i would love to finish my basement
This would be awesome to get me started on fixing my deck and making some skid furniture.
I would use it to make flower planters.
i could build some raise beds
I could use a new console table. I love DIY projects!
Our back deck needs some work. Screws lifted up need screwing down and some pieces of wood need to be replaced.
finishing our basement
My boyfriend and I are renovating the bathroom…gutted walls and everything…having a Ryobi would definitely help us in the renos!
I want to redo my counter in my bathroom, this would be so helpful with this project
Fixing my deck
I have lots of jobs i could use that for!
First project would be to finish building our deck!
I’d give it to my Nana– who’s been wanting a new one for a while now. :-)
I would try to make some planter boxes.
I would like to build a doghouse or shelter for my 2 dogs, as it gets quite hot in our backyard with very little shade. Thanks Julie!
Putting up shelves.
I need to build a decorative gardening bed & border.
I am replacing the front steps at my cabin this summer so this drill would be handy!
My deck needs some serious work done to it, this would help with the process
Good job, Julie!
I’d build a new coffee table!
A coffee table or dining table made out of repurposed wood (like an old door).
We’re building a deck and the Ryobi Drill would come in handy!!
Deck repair
I would love to make a planting table! Great job Julie
We have a lot of projects on the go where this would be useful; new shelving in the basement, deck, outside shed. Never a dull moment around here.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
You did a fantastic job! I need to redo my 7ft wishing well my dad made for me to hang flowers it’s starting to fall apart and means a lot to me.
finishing our deck
I would use this drill on some pallet ideas I have seen on the net.
Great job on the project Julie. My basement laundry room needs a major update. It was never finished by previous owners. I’ve put in a sub-floor and saving up $$ to finish it.
I would remake my coffee table
We need to build some stairs for the deck we built last year, so this would be my first project.
doing drywall, and then fixing our stairs
I would use the Ryobi to build some shelves for the basement
I don’t have anything planned, but I would so love this cause of arthritis in my hands and trying to use regular screwdrivers is very hard.
We would use it for building some shelving in our garage.
I would love this to finish our rec room we are building and to complete our back deck we would like to build! Every drill set we buy seems to stop working before we can finish any project :(
Repair my fence
I’d like to work on building more raised beds. I’m envisioning a tiered garden with raised beds. I also need to finish my basement! So many DIY projects that need to get done!!
P.S. Beautiful job you did, by the way!
I want to make a headboard for my daughters bed
thanks
Being a woman doesn’t stop me from attempting projects around a house…not that all turn out but they just end up turning into something else LOL. My first project with this new tool would be garden swing.
We need to fix our backyard fence!
We are renovating the kitchen and bathrooms, so it would come so handy for us!
We are repairing our deck railing and need a drill with all the accessories.
I would use it to build the stairs for the deck we built last summer.
Im turning an old pergola into a walk in “living” room with raised planters all around.
I will have squash, beans and peas growing all over it so in essence it will be an edible “living” room!
i would use it when we put up the new fence this summer.
I’ve been getting a container garden going, and was using a nail to put drainage holes in the buckets and wishing I had a drill!
I want to build built-ins for my basement *sigh*
I would love to make some garden containers.
I would make a swing set for my kids and a garden bench for my front yard.
I would love it to make some steps to the garden and to make some birdhouses
Our heavy glass patio table just smashed…we left the umbrella up and the wind took over. We would use to build a wooden picnic table!
I would like to fix my balcony
I would use it to build my daughter a doll house
I actually have been asking for a planter table… so that is what I would build. Seriously, you make it look so easy :)
This would be great to repair my deck
This would look great here!
Shelving for my basement so I can finally clean it up.
I would use it to build planter boxes for our deck.
I am buying my first home! So my first project for my new drill would be hanging my tv wall mount. And hanging shelves!
We need to fix our fence, our deck, our shed, the stairs in our garage. It’s going to be a very busy summer!
I would use it to make a new kitchen table.
I would like to make a pallet lounger
I’d make a shelf or bookcase
I would use it to put together a dog house
Oh the things I could build with a kit like this! Dreamy!
There are lots of projects we could use this for, but hubby needs one for work. Would be great to win!
Julie that’s fabulous!! I need some planter holders build for my balcony.
Id like this to fix my fence gate as were are currently missing a board, as well as adjustment to a rail on our back deck
I’ve seen so many ideas where you can reuse old pallets. I would start with that and maybe make myself an herb garden
I need to make a trellis for my garden
I have wooden stairs on a metal spiral outdoor staircase that need replacing!
my husband WOULD USE IT IN HIS JOB.
Id like this to fix my fence as it is currently missing a few boards
Je n’ ai pas de projet précis, c’ est plutôt de la maintenance et de la réparation.
rebuilding the hanger holder in my niece’s closet
General maintenance and touch-up work around the property. Thank you!
I would love to build a new shelf in my pantry
I’d like to build myself a few new garden beds outside.
making some planter boxes for the backyard
I need to make some benches and garden furniture. This would be a great help!
I would use the drill to make some planter boxes for my garden.
Hanging all my pictures!
I could have used this the other day when I had to set up a stand on my deck to help support our window air conditiner. I would have lots of things this would be helpful for but I think I would give it to my son who will be moving to his own place soon and could really use it
I’d like to add seating to the patio.
I want to make an herb garden to put on the back deck
I would use it to help build our new fence.
Everything and anything that needs to be redone or repaired in my old home from floor to ceiling.
I’ll make a nice stand for my fish tank
There have been so many times lately that ive wished we’d had a drill on hand for. We’ve been putting up a lot of shelving and redecorating/organizing the house. I would use it to finish that project and then i’d love to build some new counters for our kitchen.
My b oyfriend and I would build an aquarium stand
we sadly need to put steps overtop of an existing cement step that is falling apart AND I’d like to put up a small wall to hide where we bbq (currently we can be seen from the street LOL)
Assemble a large table for the eating area.
finishing our screened porch!
To put up a much needed new fence.
I would like to hang some new shelves
Shelves have to be hung, I’d use the drill for that
Our deck needs some work this year and it would really come in handy for that!
We just tore down an old barn/shed and are in the process of rebuilding a new one.
First I want to say, way to work those power tools chickie! I still say there is nothing sexier than a woman who knows her way around power tools!
If I was so lucky to win the first thing DIY project I would tackle would be building my son his pine toy box for his birthday! I love working with wood and power tools. This would be hidden from my husband that is for sure! lol
what project, well I would have to check my list of the 100 or so summer project list.
-first being to replace old warped hardwood floors with laminate.
-build a box around electrical panel
-construct a frame for basement windows
-replace planters on patio
and the list goes on and on!
I would use it to help my husband build a wheelchair ramp!
I would love to also make a planter table and raised beds because I have a bad back so it makes it easier for me to garden
So many projects – I don’t even know where I’d begin lol
a raised garden planter
I would fix the legs on my coffee table.
Install new kitchen cabinets
I would use it to help me replace the fence!
I would use it to make the pallet furniture for my porch I’ve been envisioning.
Window boxes
build a deck
I’d build some garden boxes!
I would use this to fix my fence. My puppy keeps getting out!
J’ai un projet de gazebo
my wife and i need to fix up our backyard and make some decorations for the fence!
I want to make a somewhat large planter box in the front of my house. I want to make it with logs to match my other one.
Fixing the deck railing
Build a fence around my garden.
I would love to build a sand box for my son in the backyard
i would use it to begin my catamaran project
a side serving counter for the bbq
My husband has his own tools and makes furniture,If I want to make a barn board frame or a rustic sign he cuts it or puts it together,I would loooove to have my own tools!!!
new chicken coop
I would use it to fix my shed doors.
Id love to finally install my deck lights… they’ve been sitting in my garage for 2 years!!
We need to repair our deck this summer.
I would use the drill to repair our deck.
to fix our fence
I would like a table for our little patio. I think I could make something that would be perfect.
we are redoing our kitchen so we would use this to help!
Would love to try this planter table project
I want to try to make a bench out of an old crib.
I would use the drill to fix our deck.
fix the lattice work on the porch
I would love to build a planter to put in a very odd “enclave” we have leading up to the front door. Also, one for the backyard – something elevated but doesn’t rest 100% on the stone.
I would use the drill to build a much needed fence for the side of the house.
I would use it to transform an old drawer into a shoe cabinet
I would use it to build a barnwood picnic table for our backyard!! :)
Wow, what a great transformation. :) I think I would use it first to build a small bedside table.
I would use it to make a bed for our spare room.
It’s a small project but I have always wanted a beautiful tufted headboard and we’re planning on making our own this summer!
Fixing my chair that I breast feed in, ha ha!
Ideally to complete our downstairs bathroom renovation – initial phase taking down the shower stall – no black mold in this home. Most tools with husband on job site – so I would love this range of tools for this *hands on woman*. Empowerment beings right now…..on goes the dust mask….
Eva Mitton-Urban
Our 4-month old will be mobile soon enough and our deck needs some child-proofing! Railings and smooth edges are just the beginning… Ryobi, help save the children!!
:)
I want to make some nice shelves and seats for in our sunporch :)
we would use it to make more elevated garden boxes. thanks for the giveaway.
I’d want to use it to make a tiered plant box for my balcony!
I would make new shelving in my closet
putting some shutters up and some wood work tomake a lemonade stand
We would build aporch & add onto our deck.
We would build aporch & add onto our deck.
A wall around my back patio to hang plants on.
We are planning to build a strong gate for our patio to keep our dog safe.
We are planning to extend our deck this summer,,,sure would be handy to have…thanks for the giveaway…
Ive had the instructions to make a porch swing for years but don’t have the tools to make it. Its on my bucket list.
I jumped the gun and hit submit on the form before putting in my tweet url today. Just letting you know it is done :)
https://twitter.com/aly3360/status/477829901857206272
And by putting in the url i meant clicking the tweet link. oy vey. Apparently someone needs to wake up a little more this morning before they start interacting with others :p
Hope you’re having a great weekend!!
I would like to build some compost bins and an area for our waste bins to keep the bears out.
I too would build a potting bench.
I would use it to put up shelving.
Bathroom Reno
garden/flower boxes for on the patio
I’d like to build a small pool deck for our pool this year. Something the kids can jump off of!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I would fix the flooring in my parent’s house.
We are rebuilding the deck this summer
I want to put new flooring in my son’s room.
Planning a renovation so all tools will come in handy!
Trying to convince hubby to build a deck
We are going to be renovating our kitchen in a few months so this will come in really handy!
make some shadow boxes out of some reclaimed wood I have
I would like to make a new bench for our porch
I would love to use this to install some pallet planters that I saw on a DIY site. They’d be a great way to add some colour to my deck and do a bit of recycling at the same time.
I need to replace a couple of rotten boards on my back steps.
I need to make some new porch railings for my mom so her little dog can’t get off of her porch, so these tools would really help to get the job done for her.
Install some bookshelves, hang some potted plants, work on the back fence!
First of all… I need to make myself one of those planter tables. Second of all… I love that you are wearing a dress and rocking the Ryobi. Ryobi power tools are so perfect for giving women the confidence they need to tackle DIY and you wearing a dress while tackling your DIY project hammers that point home so well.
Excellent love it and so simple to do. Thanks and I’ll be making one like this!