Handmade Cottage Garden Window Boxes ~ Easy DIY

Hello everyone! Today’s post (& video) features an addition to our cottage garden entry. For another layer of cottage garden charm Matt built a pair of cedar window boxes to hang over our courtyard railing. We decided on two boxes instead of one long, cumbersome box. That way I can remove the boxes & replant …

April 19, 2021 · 1 min read

Handmade Cottage Garden Window Boxes ~ Easy DIY

Handmade cedar window boxes filled with sweet potato vine and pink flowers hanging on a black iron courtyard railing

We decided on two boxes instead of one long, cumbersome box. That way I can remove the boxes & replant as needed.

Simple, handmade window boxes.

Matt measures, cuts, drills, glues, & staples while I snap pictures. I’m so grateful he enjoys woodworking!

Man in a cap and blue striped shirt drilling a hole in a cedar board while building a window box

Hands holding a partly built cedar window box on a workbench beside a bottle of wood glue

Man using a nail gun to fasten cedar boards for a handmade window box outdoors on the lawn

Man measuring and marking a cedar board beside a miter saw outdoors while making window boxes

Man in a blue striped shirt holding an unfinished cedar window box up to the black iron railing to test the fit

Two unfinished cedar window boxes with trim sitting on a black iron courtyard railing for a test fit

The window boxes are ready for the first test run ~ they fit perfectly! Matt thought the faces of the boxes were a bit plain so he added trim. They look beautiful already!

Rolling reddish wood stain onto a cedar window box lying on a brown drop cloth beside a stain tray

Two cedar window boxes, one freshly stained a warm red brown and one partly done, on a drop cloth

Now for the stain & liners ~ it’s nice to have a quick project now & then!

Yellow staple gun attaching a plastic liner inside a stained cedar window box

Finished stained cedar window box lined with plastic, held up by a person in a blue shirt

Done! You can see the holes Matt has drilled in the bottoms of the window boxes for drainage.

Now my favorite part ~ planting time!

Curly parsley and pink vinca planted in a cedar window box hanging on a black iron railing against red brick

Cedar window box overflowing with chartreuse sweet potato vine and pink and red vinca flowers

The flowers are filling in & the Sweet Potato vines are beginning to spill over. I’m hoping they reach the bed below!

Fingers holding a curly parsley sprig with a striped black, yellow and green swallowtail caterpillar on it

Just as I was getting these photographs for you I spotted a Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar! Really, I didn’t think the parsley would attract the butterflies, but it did!

Thank you for joining me today as we add another layer to the cottage garden entry!

Warmly,

Rachel

Join the conversation

Pat Rasbeary May 11, 2020
The flower boxes are beautiful. Job well done..
1. Rachel May 11, 2020
  Thank you, Mrs. Rasbeary!
  Happy Spring,
  Rachel
Joanna F. May 18, 2020
The window boxes over the fence is such a smart idea and they look great! Matt did a really good job with them. Your assortment of flowers is beautiful. The video is awesome!!
1. Rachel May 18, 2020
  Good morning Joanna,
  The height of these window boxes has created a more distinct separation between flower bed & courtyard ~ I love it! I agree with you, Matt did a great job. The trim he added to the fronts of the window boxes gave them a more finished look. Thanks for watching the video & leaving a comment!
  Have a lovely day!
  Rachel
kathys May 18, 2020
The flower boxes are so pretty and add a lot of charm to the entry way. I love the video, Rachel! Between the video and the pictures, I feel like I’m right there with you and Matt 🙂
1. Rachel May 18, 2020
  Hello Kathy!
  We are thrilled the video brings it to life for you! Matt did a great job on the window boxes ~ they are a bright part of my day every day. Thank you for watching & taking the time to leave a comment!
  Warmly,
  Rachel
Lenda Denson May 18, 2020
Just loved this video! Makes me want to get my hands in the dirt! Your filming is wonderful and I think you’d make a good story teller as well as gardener!
1. Rachel May 18, 2020
  Wonderful! There’s nothing quite as relaxing & fulfilling as getting your hands in the dirt & watching a garden grow. I’m glad you enjoyed the video & my chattering. 😉
  Have a lovely day,
  Rachel
Annie Traffansted May 18, 2020
Love, love, love the video! Makes me feel like I’m right there with you. I would love to be there helping you plant! The window boxes are absolutely gorgeous and Matt did a fantastic job. Color combo is beautiful. ????
1. Rachel May 18, 2020
  Hello Annie,
  How delightful it would be to have you as a gardening buddy! Thanks for watching, I’m glad the video brought the gardening to life for you!
  Warmly,
  Rachel
Robin Totten May 18, 2020
Enjoyed the video! Nice window boxes! I know they are special because Matt made them for you!! He did a good job. ☺ I love the mix of flowers and the bright sweet potato vines. ????????
1. Rachel May 18, 2020
  Hi there Miss Robin!
  So glad you enjoyed the video ~ we’ve been having a blast making them! Yes, the window boxes are special & I agree ~ he did a great job. Thanks for watching the video & leaving a comment!
  Have a lovely day,
  Rachel
Anonymous May 19, 2020
Great job on both the video and window boxes. You make it all look so simple. Flowers & boxes are beautiful.
MiMi
1. Rachel May 19, 2020
  Hello Mi Mi,
  I’m glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching & leaving a comment!
  Have a lovely day,
  Rachel

Simple, handmade window boxes.

Now my favorite part ~ planting time!

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