How to Build a Brick Planter: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome, gardening enthusiasts! Building a brick planter is an excellent choice if you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your garden while providing a permanent home for your plants. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of constructing a brick planter. From preparing the site to laying the bricks and finishing touches, you’ll learn all the essential tips and tricks to create a beautiful and durable planter to enhance your garden’s charm.

1. Prepare the Site for Your Brick Planter:

• Choose the desired location for your planter.
• Clear the area of any vegetation and roughly level the ground.
• To minimize the need for brick cutting:
• Approximate the dimensions of the planter.
• Place the bricks in position and measure more precisely.

Note: It’s possible and helpful to cut bricks if your space is relatively small.

2. Build the Formwork:

• Put on your protective gloves.
• Cut two formwork boards to match the exterior dimensions of the planter using a handsaw.
• Nail the boards together to create a frame.
• Place the frame directly on the ground and check for levelness using a spirit level.

3. Pour the Concrete Slab:

• Prepare an adequate amount of mortar by mixing cement, sand, and water in a ratio of 1:4:1/2 using a trowel.
• Pour the mortar into the formwork, stopping about 3 cm from the top edge of the boards.
• Smooth the surface using a trowel.
• Do not let the mortar fully harden; move on to the next step.
• Prepare the jointing mortar as instructed on the packaging.
• Apply a 1 cm layer of jointing mortar against the formwork boards.

4. Lay the First Row of Bricks:

• Place the bricks of the first row, aligning them against the formwork and tapping them to improve adhesion.
• Regularly check their levelness using a spirit level.
• After completing the row, leave a vertical drainage joint every three bricks to allow water to escape.

5. Build the Subsequent Rows:

• Apply another 1 cm layer of jointing mortar on the first row.
• Continue with the following rows, following the same procedure and offsetting the bricks with each new row.
• Fill all the vertical joints.
• Regularly check the vertical alignment using a spirit level and adjust the position of the bricks by tapping them.

6. Finishing Touches:

• Smooth the joints using a jointing iron.
• Remove any excess mortar before it fully dries.
• Remove the formwork.
• Use a damp sponge to clean the planter’s surface.

7. Fill Your Brick Planter:

• Once your planter is complete, it’s time to fill it with vibrant plants. Before doing so, follow these steps:
• Place a layer of gravel or rocks at least 10 centimetres deep at the bottom for adequate drainage.
• Cut a piece of geotextile fabric to fit the dimensions of your planter and place it on top of the rocks.
• Fill the planter with potting soil or compost suitable for the plants you intend to grow.

Materials Needed for Building a Brick Planter:

• Hammer
• Formwork boards (1.5 x 200 mm)
• Handsaw
• 8 nails
• Spirit level
• Measuring tape
• Solid bricks
• Jointing iron
• Trowel
• Sponge
• Mortar (sand + cement)
• Jointing mortar
• Protective gloves

Now that you have a comprehensive guide on building a brick planter, it’s time to put your skills into action and create a stunning addition to your garden. Enjoy the process and the satisfaction of seeing your plants thrive in their new home. Remember to take necessary safety precautions while working with tools and materials.

Hope you found this article on building a brick planter informative and inspiring. We value your feedback and would love to hear about your experience with constructing your own planter. Share your thoughts, ideas, and additional tips in the comments below.