How to Build Cedar Window Boxes
History of the Window Box
The use of window boxes dates as far back as the first century B.C in ancient Rome where they were used to keep small gardens for cooking herbs, medicinal herbs, and flowers for rituals and decoration.
Among the lower classes, in small villas where peasants had little gardening space, many people grew the plants they needed in window boxes.
Building Cedar Window Boxes
Window boxes can add an array of seasonal color and enhance the curb appeal of almost any structure. Window box gardening can be a fun and relaxing way to express your creativity or create a small garden in a cityscape.
This article will explain how to build a cedar window box and customize the dimensions to fit your desired window space.
Window boxes are relatively easy projects, we added some features to our design that some folks may or may not choose to do. Either way, the project requires only a few tools to complete.
What materials should the box be made of? How big should the box be? What size and depth is best for the plants that you want to pair with your home?
Let’s find out…
Cut all stock at one time
Choosing Materials:
We chose 1×8 Cedar to make our window boxes, mostly because the species is inherently insect and rot resistant. Additionally Cedar is light weight, paints well and has an attractive natural color if left unpainted.
Pine, Fir and Poplar simply do not last long in the elements, especially when you consider window boxes receive water almost daily.
Side panels
Size and Depth:
Before purchasing your materials take time to determine how long your boxes will be. Generally speaking, window boxes are the same width or slightly smaller than the window they will be mounted under. Although I have seen folks use larger window boxes on windows with shutters.
You may also choose to go smaller and center it under the window. It really is up to you and your aesthetical eye and décor.
As far as height is concerned, you can follow a rule of thumb to size your box to 20 to 25 percent of the height of your window, for best symmetry.
Window boxes should be a minimum of 8 inches in depth and 8 inches from front to back to have enough room for a selection of plants. Larger is even better, particularly if you want to include a lot of plants and want them to fill out enough to overflow the box.
