How to Make My Own PVC Deck Planters

Overview

Bringing greenery and flowers onto your deck softens it and helps it blend into your surrounding landscaping. Large-size planters can become expensive, especially if you have a large deck to decorate. PVC pipes, usually used for plumbing, are inexpensive and readily available at hardware stores. These sturdy pipes come in a variety of sizes and make excellent planters with a just a few alterations. You can even paint the PVC to blend in with your outdoor décor.

Step 1

Purchase 12- to 18-inch diameter PVC pipes. Purchase a PVC end cap in the same diameter for each planter you wish to make.

Step 2

Drill four ½-inch holes through the end cap. Space them equally apart about 1 inch in from the edge of the cap.

Step 3

Cut the pipes down to the desired height with a hacksaw. Keep in mind most plants require a 10-inch soil depth to thrive, so cutting the pipes down to 10 inches or higher is desirable.

Step 4

Spread a bead of PVC glue around the rim of the end cap. Slide it onto the bottom of the pipe and set aside to dry overnight.

Step 5

Lightly sand the outside of the planter to roughen the surface slightly if you wish to paint the planter. Paint with a coat of primer and let dry. Paint with your desired paint color on top of the primer, then seal with a spray sealer.