Pallet Planter and Wall

We started this project with a dirt wall held loosely up by stone slabs and roots. The functional garden in front is productive but not much to look at…. yet.  First we got ahold of some nice looking untreated pallets. Try any large store, lumbar yard, or industrial building for free pallets. Don’t pay for a pallet! In our case we found a farmer more than happy to unload a few.

We then decided what height we wanted the pallet wall to be and cut 2 planks-length off of each pallet (we ended up using the leftover bits later on). Using a couple stakes, a string and a spirit level we set up a level line to eyeball how straight our wall was going to be. Now for the leg work- dig a trench to set the pallet at least one plank width into the ground for support. We added 3 foot long stakes at the front and back of each joint for aesthetic look and to ensure the walls strength.

 Just before we added each pallet to our growing wall we stapled landscaping fabric(weed block) to create a hammock like net that can hold dirt and plants in each plank to make our wall a vertical garden as well. From the front you cannot see the fabric to add to the vertical garden effect. In addition we did cover the back of each pallet in a larger section of the fabric to hold back the loose dirt being held up by the wall and to avoid and weeds slipping into our pallet garden.

As the pallets were then set into place at the correct height we nailed each piece together. This project was mainly about upcycling and making the most out of what we had available. We ended up deciding not to paint or stain our new wall but did rub a healthy layer of dirt over it for that nice weathered look.  Now you get to pick out some of your favorite plants to add to you new garden.  It is amazing just how much more space you will now have to fill with plants!

As an afterthought we used those leftover pallet pieces to complete the look with a smaller row of herb planters in front of the already present garden. We couldn’t be happier with the way this turned out and are looking forward to seeing it all in action next spring!

And Voila!