Crafty Genes: Pallet Planter

Skill Level: 2.5 out of 5
Price: 4 out of 5
Average time: Two days

SUPPLIES:
Recycled or leftover moving pallet
Vaseline
Primer
Matte latex base coat (we used black)
Matte latex top coat (we used turquoise)
Planter fabric
Soil
Plants

1. Cut pallet and sand
We used a piece of pallet we had leftover from one of our earlier Crafty Genes projects, the Pallet Coffee Table (you can find it online at YourObserver.com). Cut off any protruding pieces of your recycled pallet or to the first horizontal support beam of a new pallet. Make sure your edges are straight. Sand splintered sections.

2. Prime and apply base coat
We used a primer to weather-seal the wood and prepare the surface for the base coat. After you prime, you’ll spot-paint a base coat where natural wear-and-tear would occur. The base will show through where the paint crackles, which is why we selected black.

Tips:
Make sure you apply a thin layer of Vaseline because the paint will rub off or smudge even after the paint has dried if it’s applied too thickly.

This is perfect for an herb garden, and you could paint the names of herbs above where you plant them.

3. Apply Vaseline and Topcoat
Rub a thin coat of Vaseline on areas where you painted the base color. Then paint your topcoat over the entire planter. We chose turquoise. Let the topcoat dry a full 24 hours. The longer it dries, the more the crackle appears. Spray a protective clear coat of polyurethane to preserve the crackle.

4. Tack gardening fabric in place
Apply gardening fabric to the upper inside-back perimeter and edges of the planter. Let the fabric drape to the depth of the planter (ours was 3-to-4 inches deep) and tack it in place at the upper inside-front perimeter.

5. Plant flora and fauna
We planted pink bromeliads for a splash of color and a variety of small plants suitable for the amount of light and weather where our planter is located. Water your plants according to their needs.