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Friday, May 23, 2014

Make A Flower Box For The Deck



Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Do you know your way around a toolbox?
I know for a fact that many of you 
are quite comfortable wielding power tools.
Me? 
The closest thing to a power tool
that I know how use is blow-dryer.
Yeah, like that. 

Memorial Day: Remembering Our Soldiers --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

When it comes to doing things with drills,
or screws,
or blades,
or nails,
or bits,
and such...

I need to call in the big guns...
The Hubs. 


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

After this horrid winter we had,
 the flower box on my back deck 
had rotted to the point of no return.
Mr. Goo Shoes decided to try his first DIY project,
and build me a new one.
It's not that he is very experienced at building things,
but he is very logical and analytical...
and he can fix anything. 

We call him Mr. Fix It.

Even when he gets frustrated,
I just sit back and keep quiet,
because I know he will figure it out.
And he always does.


Now, in keeping with full disclosure,
after the flower box was done, 
Mr. GS realized there was one thing he 
should have done differently.

First I'll show you how he made it,
and then, I'll explain what he should have done.
I guess it's a tutorial with an addendum,
so if you attempt to make this,
read through to the very end. 

Here is a look at the old flower box,
back in its heyday.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Over the last few years, it started to deteriorate.


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


To build a new one,
Mr. Goo Shoes bought four 16-foot x 5 1/2" boards
of treated deck wood at Lowe's.
They cost about $10-12 each.


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Three boards were for the base and sides;
the fourth was for the ends and inserts.

The first step was to stain the boards,
using Cabot's Semi-Solid in Bark Mulch.
 He gave it two coats, letting it dry for two days in between.

How do you like his workshop?!? 

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

And his lovely and able assistant?

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I asked Mr. GS why he didn't stain it after it was completely done,
and he said he thought it would be easier this way.
It could be done either way, I suppose. 

Next, he cut five small pieces 
that would become the ends, and inserts.
An old one was used as a template for the first piece...


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

and then the new one became the template.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Each piece measures 8 1/2" at the top 
and 5 1/2 inches at the bottom, and from top to bottom.
*NOTE: THESE MEASUREMENTS WILL BE MODIFIED IN THE ADDENDUM.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Mr. GS used a circular saw to cut the pieces. 
  Don't men with power tools look so studly?

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Well, maybe not all men...
Freddy Krueger and Jack the Ripper...not so much, I guess.

Mr. GS drew a line where he wanted the screws 
to go in the base of the planter, 
and matched those up to the small pieces.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

He used 1 1/2" deck screws,
and a Phillips head 3/8" drill bit.

Listen to me, like I know what I'm talking about!

He pre-drilled the holes...

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

turned the base upside down,
and drilled the screws in
until they came part way through the other side.


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Holding the short piece in place,
he drilled the screws all the way into the short piece. 

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


After the two ends and the inserts were attached...

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

it was time to attach the sides.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


And, voila! It was a flower box!

Mr. Goo Shoes enlisted the help of Junior Goo Shoes
to carry the box to the railing where it was to be attached. 
Sadie supervised. She's good at things like that.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

The base of the box was screwed
into the top of the deck railing.
Another coat of stain was applied to the inside, 
just to give it a little more protection. 

Finito!

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Remember Mr. Goo Shoes said he realized 
there was a better way to do it?

He should have made the insert and end pieces shorter by an inch.

When the sides were attached, 
there was a big gap along the bottom of the box...
big enough that the dirt would wash right out 
when the plants were watered.  


If Mr. Goo Shoes had made the ends and insert pieces
4 1/2 inches instead of 5 1/2 inches,
the base would have been able to come up higher, 
which would have eliminated the gaps.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Capisce?  

To compensate, Mr. GS cut long, thin strips of wood, 
and nailed them in along both sides of the base to close up the gaps.
There are still small gaps to allow the water to drain out. 

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I love my new flower box!

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I had hoped to have it completely filled for this post, 
but the stars were not aligned.  

We are in the process of power-washing and re-staining the deck.
 That's why the flower box and the deck railing 
are two different colors. 
Would you believe that we never properly stained 
the new deck railing that we installed last year?

Anyhow, until all that is done,
I can't plant the flowers.
All I could do was plop the flower pots into the box
in order to take some photos.

Blah. 

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


I think Mr. Goo Shoes did an amazing job.
He says if he were to do it again,
he'd know exactly what to do.

"Good news!" I told him.
"You can make a shorter one for this spot right here."

I'd like to use that one for an herb garden.

Make A Flower Box For The Deck --- Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

He didn't look as eager as I thought. 


I'm not sure that Mr. Goo Shoes wants to do it again so soon.

Would you help me convince him,
 by leaving him a comment, below? 
Your flattery will get me everywhere :)

**********  
I hope your Memorial Day is filled with...
Hamburgers & Hotdogs
Barbeques and Gardening 
Watermelon and Corn on the Cob
Family and Friends
Red, White and Blue 

47 comments:

  1. Well, I think that flower box looks great!! and yes I do think doing a flower box for the herb garden is a beautiful idea..think of all the wonderful dishes to be made with the herbs and how much money will be saved! Fresh basil, thyme, oregano, mint (how am I doing?) is all so expensive these days! You will save a fortune and enjoy gourmet style dishes.
    Well, I wish you a blessed weekend with lots of fun and good memories. Catherine xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're doing great, Catherine -- "saving money" is always an argument that works!

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  2. What a great idea. Now if I could only get the hubs to do some things around here that need to be done. I don't use the big power tools either. I do use big yard tools, but not power tools.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, why is it so tough to get them to do the things we want done, lol!

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  3. Tell him you'll plant mint in the yard if you don't have an herb box and then when it takes over the yard, you can remind him of that box you asked for! : ) Looks great! I'd love for you to check out our dawgs' blog (www.asthedawgsbark.blogpot.com) where they write about all of our family's adventures!

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  4. It looks great. Mr Goo Shoes should make you the other one. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think he should, and today, he actually sounded like he was planning to!

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  5. I was prepared to be amazed by your skill with the power tools. The only thing I use is a screwdriver. My husband is pretty handy though. One summer he built a bar while I was out of town, out of stone and it has a slate top. It's actually pretty cool. I want him to build a firepit this summer. Your flower box is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can assure you that I will never amaze anyone with power tools! It's great having handy husbands, isn't it? A firepit sounds great - I'd love to have one, but we don't have a place for it. I hope you get yours!

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  6. Gorgeous, gorgeous idea! I would love this. Send your man over:) Have a great weekend Amy! XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's on his way, Debbie! I just drove him to the airport :) Happy weekend!

      Delete
  7. Well my word, Mr. GS is HIRED!! Send him on down - you guys like FL anyway. ;) Um, the herb box, yes. You can also explain how many savory and tasty dishes you will make him with the fresh herbs.
    There.
    Flattery and an appeal to the stomach.
    I'm pinning, of course!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's stopping at Debbiedoo's first, and then he will head down to FL ! Thanks for pinning, Claire!

      Delete
  8. Beautiful !!!
    Try making goo goo eyes at the Mister - that might do the trick - because you absolutely MUST have that herb planter!
    What a beautiful job he did - think I'll ask John to make me one LMHO !!!!!!!!
    A little bit jealous here in Montreal :(
    XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Suzan! Goo goo eyes are always a good strategy! Gonna work on that!

      Delete
  9. Wow! Mr Goo Shoes is a wonderful handyman and you are very lucky woman. Just like that - presto - and you have a fabulous planter. I know that if I lived closer to you I'd be sending The Great Dane over for lessons!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well done, Mr Fix It! A big thanks to Sadie, I'm prety sure if she hadn't been supervising, things wouldn't have been done so well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad that you recognize Sadie's important role, Magali! She kept the project on track!

      Delete
  11. Very nice flower box Mr. & Mrs. GS. We are thinking of enclosing our deck (screened porch) and I'm all excited. I love home improvement projects. Your flowers are beautiful Amy. I just spent the better part of a weekend sprucing up my flower beds and low an behold, our chickens escaped and found there way too it. Thank goodness I noticed they were there before too much damage was done. Otherwise, we might have been having chicken & dumplings for dinner that night - just kidding - lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If there was one thing I could have, it would be a screened in porch. It bugs me (pun intended) when we can't sit out there on summer nights because of mosquitos. Good luck with yours! Sorry about your chickens -- hope they know how lucky they are!

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  12. I think he did a fantastic job. I am not a power tool girl either. Basically I say, John, can I try and he says no and I ask why and he says I don't trust you to be safe and that is the end of the conversation. He makes everything for me and he is very good at it for sure. So lucky to have my own handyman.

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great, Cynthia, that he wants to do it all! Even better that he is good at it!

      Delete
  13. Well done Mr. GS! I love flower boxes - yours are beautiful! A smaller one for your herbs would be perfect ;). No power tools for me either - pretty sure I would lose some appendage that I need. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's exactly my reason for not using power tools. I'd like to keep all my body parts, too! Thanks for visiting, Lana!

      Delete
  14. Love your flower box and the spot you have picked out for herbs is perfect! My deck is sorely in need of either a good stain job or demolition. I'm not sure which way we will go! Have a good weekend Amy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we are going to have to replace our deck in a couple of years. I dread the process! I'm already unhappy that everything is on hold (meaning putting out all of my deck furniture, flowers, etc.) until the deck stain is finished. They can't do it till there are a string of dry days predicted -- so far, none in sight!

      Delete
  15. It looks great! I need a new flowerbox too and I'm trying to bribe my husband to build one again. It's like giving birth. Enough time passes and you only see the results instead of the hard work. ;)

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  16. Um. Amy. Way too ambitious for me...but I love it on YOUR deck! I love that action saw photo the best, though. Cool. No, actually I moved out of my house and won't be looking for another until school starts...time to live free and on the road for a couple of vacation-filled months! Enjoy your flowers!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, me, too, Corinne! I would never do this myself, lol! I so envy your "live free" lifestyle! Looking forward to seeing where your travels take you.

      Delete
  17. Oh, you need herbs. When I started using fresh herbs it just raised the level of cooking. Your husband did an excellent job with the flower boxes.

    Madonna
    MakeMineLemon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, Madonna! There's nothing like fresh herbs. I usually grow a few, but I'd like to grow a lot more!

      Delete
  18. Your husband did a great job! I really like the box even with the pots "just" plopped in. You might also want to try using a waterproofing spray (found at home depot and such stores) to help make it last longer...
    Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Social. Looking forward to seeing what you have to share next week

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Ricki! I will definitely check out the waterproofing spray. Sounds like a great idea.

      Delete
  19. First time here! I'll be back. I've just spent Memorial Day evening exploring your blog. I like everything I've seen.
    Thanks for reminding readers to remember our fallen soldiers-I would add-ask your children why we celebrate this day.
    Most probably think its "open the pool day". The flower box is lovely. The herb box is necessary. Summer veggies love fresh herbs. I love a vase of herbs on my kitchen counter. Thanks for your variety of subjects. Found you on JamHands.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shelby! Your comment made my day! One of the reasons I want a bigger flower box for herbs is that I would love to always have a vase full of them in the kitchen.

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  20. That's an impressive sized flower box! I don't think I've ever seen one that long- I love it. Mr. Goo Shoes did a wonderful job on it. Your rhodedendron and azaleas look beautiful too!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Liz! I love the size of it. Once the azaleas and rhodies die, the flowers in the box keep the color going on that part of the deck. Thank you also for following!

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  21. That was quite a winter - it did ruin a lot of things - the planter looks wonderful - well done! I do appreciate you sharing with A Return to Loveliness,
    Kathy

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  22. What a great flower box! Your husband has many talents! Thanks for linking with Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sherry! I'm hoping that he makes the herb box this week! Still waiting!

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  23. He did an amazing job. I love it! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so happy with it, Sally, and he has since made a smaller one for herbs that I wanted.

      Delete

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