1. Cut the plywood. Be sure to use proper safety precautions (D).
  2. Attach the plywood back and, if desired, ends (top and bottom) using screws (E and F).
  3. Move the pallet near the location it will be placed.
  4. Fill the pallet with potting mix until it is about 3/4 full.
  5. Add plants to the pallet (for a horizontal pallet, skip to step #13).
  6. If needed, add additional potting mix around the plants to fill gaps.
  7. Turn the pallet to a vertical position and secure it in place.
  8. Check for soil gaps and fill any that you find.
  9. Water the plants and soil thoroughly.

Tips for mounting vertical pallet gardens

  • You may want to mark placement of the brackets to keep the pallet garden in place before you add the weight of the extra plywood.
  • If you are mounting against the wall of a house or other structure, add a thick layer of plastic or waterproof barrier to the back of the pallet in addition to the landscape fabric. This will help protect the structure from moisture seeping out of the pallet garden soil.
  • If you are not mounting the garden on a wall or fence, be sure that any feet you construct will be sturdy enough to support the weight of the garden. - If a lot of potting mix spills as plants are getting established, return the pallet to the horizontal position and allow the plants to grow a little bigger so their roots can help stabilize the soil. Alternatively, you could apply landscape fabric to the inside front of the pallet before adding potting mix and planting (cut cross-shaped holes in the fabric to make room for the plants when planting).

• If a lot of potting mix spills as plants are getting established, return the pallet to the horizontal position and allow the plants to grow a little bigger so their roots can help stabilize the soil. Alternatively, you could apply landscape fabric to the inside front of the pallet before adding potting mix and planting (cut cross-shaped holes in the fabric to make room for the plants when planting).

Plant Suggestions

Anything that can be grown in a shallow container will work well in a pallet garden. This includes herbs, strawberries, peppers, beans, greens, and many bedding annuals.

References:

“DIY Pallet Garden; How to Make Raised Wood Pallet Garden Bed” Busy Creating Memories. Available at:

https://busycreatingmemories.com/diy-pallet-garden/. Accessed August 27, 2019.

“How to make a Pallet Planter” Better Homes and Gardens. Available at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPcXoOuDA-I. Accessed August 27, 2019.

Lamp'l, J. “Creating a Pallet Garden-Step by Step Instructions” Growing a Greener World. Available at:

https://www.growingagreenerworld.com/creating-a-pallet-garden-step-by-step-instructions/. Accessed August 27, 2019.

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