Build a plant display shelf

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Build a plant display shelf

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 3 June 2019 at 10:22 am

Learn how to build your own bespoke plant display shelf, in our step-by-step guide.

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Brighten up a bare stretch of wall with our quirky pot holder. It's simple to make and perfect for trailing plants such as woolly thyme or sempervivum. You could even build a larger version of the shelf for a new take on the traditional auricula theatre.

You Will Need

Shelf (20cm x 60cm)
Long tom pots (8cm x 12cm)
Jack chain (80cm)
Hooks
Screws
Rawlplug
Drill
Drill bit kit
Pencil
Jigsaw
Sandpaper
Paint tester pot
Plants, thyme or sempervivum work well

Total time: 1 hour

Step 1

Build a plant display shelf - drawing circles

Draw three evenly-spaced semi-circles along the shelf edge, using an upturned pot as a guide. Cut out the semi-circles, 5mm inside your lines.

Step 2

Build a plant display shelf - drilling a hole

Drill pilot holes in each end of the back edge. Secure a screw in each hole leaving 1cm proud. Screw a hook into each corner of the shelf, around 4cm from the front and 2cm in from the sides.

Step 3

Build a plant display shelf - sanding the edges

Use sandpaper to smooth off all the rough edges, then paint the shelf, using either exterior timber paint or woodstain in the colour of your choice.

Step 4

Build a plant display shelf - hanging the shelf

Attach two hooks to your wall, spaced at the same distance as those on your shelf. Then drill two holes two bricks below. Attach the shelf with chains, slotting the screws into the holes in the wall.

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