To give the vertical garden some strength, you should keep the top and bottom boards in place. Remove the middle slats with a pry bar, hammer and a chisel. Make sure you also remove any nails as you go.
For the base of the planter boxes, measure the distance between the slats at the front and back of the pallet. Then measure the distance from timber to timber for the front of the planter boxes. We're making four planter boxes, so we need four bases and four fronts.
Use the circular saw to cut the slats you've already removed for the four planter boxes.
Clamp your base lengths to a workbench, and use the 18mm spade bit to drill several drainage holes in it. You'll need to do this for the three planter bases.
You'll now need to decide where your planter boxes will go. A good idea is to leave more space between some planters for larger plants. Put the base of the planter box in place and secure with the fixing gun. Then put the front in place and secure it. Repeat this until all of the planter boxes are built.
A good idea is to cut a leftover slat to size and fix it down at the bottom of the pallet as a handy shelf.
You can leave your pallet rustic and unpainted but we're painting ours to contrast against the wall we're hanging it on. Apply as many coats as needed.
Once the paint is dry you can put your pallet vertical garden in place. Fill the planter boxes with your favourite flowers or herbs and with a little effort, you've created a fantastic looking vertical garden.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.