Patio Planter

It seems that whenever you want to make a replica of an existing piece, even something as simple as a barrel, there can be lots of upfront work to do. Most of that work has to do with measuring parts exactly and keeping track of how they interact. But that’s just not the case with this little gem. This planter is made out of cypress, and has the look of a barrel that’s been salvaged from a previous life and resurrected for a new duty — holding floral decorations in the corner of your patio. Which is a perfect use for cypress. Cypress is easy to work and is a durable option for fences, patio furniture, and birdhouses. You know, outside stuff. If all those angles you see in the upper inset photo have you scratching your head, not to worry. There’s a jig that makes the process as smooth as silk. In fact, other than at the start, you’ll find that you’re not going to need measuring tapes or rulers hardly at all with this project. A lot of what happens here falls in line with the “build-to-fit” philosophy. You’ll make the barrel parts and then dry assemble them to find the size of the bottom. Then, use the completed planter to size the hoop. The copper hoop on the planter is an homage to the steel “quarter” hoop you would see on an oak whisky barrel. Our version is purely cosmetic. It takes a little work to make, position, and fit the hoop, but it adds a lot to the look of the planter and is a fun side trip from making wood chips in your shop.

Product Recommendations

We don't have any links to project supplies and hardware for this particular project yet, but here are some other products that might be of interest to you. (We may receive commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.)