DIY Pallet Garden

This DIY pallet garden is easy to create with an old wooden pallet you may find for free and makes a great vertical garden for a small space.

Not too long ago, there was a time with creating things with a wood pallet was all the rage. So when my daughter obtained a few for her apartment I asked if I could take one home for myself.

I made my own pallet garden and I love the way it turned out. Since I'm more of an ornamental gardener, I thought it would be nice to grow some edibles. (see the plant list below.) One thing I like is that this planter has just enough room for the plants, leaving little to no room for weeds.

How to Make a Pallet Garden

You can see what the plain wood pallet looks like in the photo above. The top left side is a little broken, but I didn't mind it.

Inside is a roll of landscaping fabric that you can find at any hardware or big box store. You will also need a staple gun for this project.

Prep and Paint

It's a good idea to hose down the pallet and remove any wayward nails. Next, though it's optional, I spray painted the slats using gray indoor/outdoor spray paint first. Then I added a little leftover blue and black paint to give it some dimension.

Create Planting Spaces

Cut some of the landscape fabric and line the cavities of the pallet using a staple gun to keep it in place. This will give you enough room for soil and plants. And, since the fabric is porous, any extra water will drain through.

Here's what the pockets look like when finished.

It can be a little challenging to get the fabric into the cavities at the same depth. You can see the variations in this photo. Not really a big deal.

Add Potting Soil and Plants

Fill the cavities with good potting soil and add plants that will grow well in the area you plan to set your pallet.

This area gets morning shade and afternoon sun. However, here it will soon be obstructed by the hosta and goatsbeard.

However, I also think it looks pretty sweet under the window. There is quite a bit of perennial begonia in front, but I can easily transplant it to another part of the garden.

I'm sure I'll have to replace some plants if they grow too large or finish their life cycle.

Obviously herbs are a great choice. In fact, an herb pallet garden would be great for someone who likes to cook with herbs but has limited space.

At the end of the season, I may move some of the perennials into the garden or leave them to overwinter in the pallet. They should be okay since they are in a somewhat protected area leaning on the brick of our house. That should shelter them from the cold winter months until spring.

Maybe next year I'll plant some flowers in this wooden pallet garden instead.