Gardening Garden Design Garden Projects Turn Basic Wood Trellises into a Stylish Outdoor Plant Stand This DIY garden project uses inexpensive materials from the home improvement store to create an impressive (yet easy-to-make) vertical planter. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 28, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Project Overview Working Time: 3 hours Total Time: 1 day Skill Level: Beginner Add farmhouse style to your porch, patio, or deck with this easy-to-assemble planter. With crisp lines and a sleek black finish, it lends modern flair to an outdoor display of potted plants. This easy weekend project uses inexpensive wood trellises and dowels you can buy at most home improvement stores. Round duct caps are the secret to its unique design. Once you've completed the garden project, make sure to secure to a wall to protect it from the elements. Add interesting containers for a hint of color or pattern. Follow our step-by-step instructions to build a farmhouse-style DIY plant stand. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools 1 Saw 1 Measuring tape 1 Lint-free rags 1 Paintbrush 1 Awl 1 Drill Materials 6 3/4 x 36-inch square dowels 2 24 x 72-inch wood trellises 1 Exterior stain 5 8-inch-diameter duct caps 1 Spray paint 1 1/2-inch screws Instructions Cut Dowels Cut 3/4-inch square dowels into 16 pieces, each measuring 11-1/4 inches. We used a miter saw for precise cuts. Stain Trellises Use a tack cloth or brush to stain all wood surfaces, including the trellises and dowels, with black exterior stain. Wipe away any excess stain with a lint-free rag. To extend the life of your plant stand, choose an exterior wood stain plus sealant in an opaque finish, such as Olympic Maximum. Set aside and let dry completely. Paint Duct Caps Prime and spray-paint 8-inch-diameter duct caps to use as perches for potted plants. Remember to always work in a well-ventilated space when using spray-paint. Punch Holes Use an awl to punch two holes in the opposite sides of each cap, about 3/8 inches down from the top edge. If desired, drill an additional hole in the middle of each duct cap to allow for drainage. Carson Downing Secure Caps Lay one trellis flat on the ground. Stagger caps, centering them within the square openings. Secure them to the horizontal trellis rungs using 1/2-inch screws. Flip the trellis assembly over and place it on top of the other one so it lines up. Secure duct caps to the second trellis using 1/2-inch screws. Stand up the assembly. Carson Downing Attach Dowels and Finish Using a pin nailer, attach dowels at each intersection. Repeat on the opposite side. Set planter pots into each of the duct caps. To prevent the tall plant stand from tipping over (and to protect it from the elements), secure it to a wall with screws or straps as a safety precaution.