Mailbox Planter Idea | Decorate Mailbox | Curb Appeal Project: Gardening

Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener

This weekend project combines building skills with a love of flowering annuals or perennials. In addition to the building materials, you’ll need an interesting rectangular container to suspend below the mailbox. (The one shown here was found at a yard sale, made of brass with an antique patina.) To build your own mailbox planter, assemble the materials and carefully take the steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions.

A mailbox planter is a great weekend project that can help boost your home’s curb appeal.

Materials

1 4x4x96-inch post
2 2x4x47-inch side rails
2 2x4x10¾-inch spacers
1 2x6x17½-inch box shelf
2 2x8x16½-inch braces
2 1x2x27-inch long frames
2 1x2x6¼-inch short frames
12 1-inch wooden buttons
8 lathe-turned cabinet pulls
1 decorative brass cap
6¼x5½-inch bolts, nuts and washers
6 #8x2-inch brass wood screws
16 #6x1½-inch brass wood screws

Mailbox Planter - Step 1

Chisel a mortise channel 3½ inches wide and 14 inches from the end of each side rail to receive the post and compensate for wood thickness differences.

Mailbox Planter - Step 2

Use a jigsaw to cut an arc 5½ inches in diameter in each end of the brace, and arc corners 3 inches in diameter in one end of each side rail. Cut a kerf (a slit or notch) 2 11⁄16 inches long and ½ an inch deep into edge of the side rails at the arc corner.

Mailbox Planter - Step 3

On a layout table, assemble, square and clamp post, side rails, spacers and brace. Use a 1-inch paddle bit to drill 6 holes, ½ an inch deep, centered at the site of each bolt. Invert the assembly and repeat on the other side.

Mailbox Planter - Step 4

Use a 5⁄16-inch spade bit and through-drill the 6 bolt holes. Fasten the assembly with bolts, washers and nuts, setting them finger-tight plus 1½ turns.

Mailbox Planter - Step 5

Use exterior wood glue and a wooden button to plug each bolt hole. Tap the button into place using a soft mallet wrapped with a soft cloth.

Mailbox Planter - Step 6

Drill receiving holes for the cabinet pulls that will be used to support the planter. Use exterior wood glue to fasten the cabinet pulls into the side rails, then glue the decorative cap onto the post.

Mailbox Planter - Step 7

Attach the box shelf to the side rails with 6 #8 wood screws, positioning it flush with the kerf end.

Mailbox Planter - Step 8

Fasten the mailbox to the box shelf with 8 #6 wood screws. Adjust the box position to allow the door to freely open.

Mailbox Planter - Step 9

Fasten the planter’s hanging frame with 2 #6 wood screws at each corner. Drill and attach 4 cabinet pulls with wood glue.

Mailbox Planter - Step 10

Dig a posthole deep enough for the top of the mailbox side rails to be 32 inches above finished grade. Set the post into the hole, brace, and pour one sack of fence post concrete into the hole. Water the concrete mix thoroughly, and allow it to cure.

Mailbox Planter - Step 11

Fill the planter box with potting soil and plants. Insert the box into the support frame and suspend it from the side rails with nylon rope, cord or chain.

Facts

The US Post Office (and other postal authorities) set specific height, placement and access requirements for residential postal boxes. Be sure to check with your local post office before building a custom mailbox to ensure that yours fits these specifications and your mail will be delivered.

Tips

In most garden soils, even rot- and pest-resistant woods like redwood, cypress and cedar need a helping hand to prevent decay. You can slow these problems from occurring by applying wood preservative and/or setting the post in a plastic collar before installation (among other measures). For the longest-lasting results, however, pour a concrete footing with an imbedded post support fitting and mount your post to it, keeping the wood from direct soil contact.
All hanging container plants, including the one shown in this project, require regular watering and fertilization. If your yard already has a drip irrigation system, you can run a lateral to your mailbox planter and water it automatically. That will take care of the daily watering need. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks throughout the gardening season.

Next Steps

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Building a Mailbox Planter (and Delivering Curb Appeal)