Recommended Free Tools
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree scan · under a minute
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Free scan · no reinstall
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
Free scan · exact hardware match
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
For the simplest wood-and-concrete planter, build a hollow plywood shell and coat its outside with feather-finish concrete mix. The plant remains in a removable plastic nursery pot hidden inside the shell, so the wood does not have to contain wet soil. This is the lightweight, coating-based project described in Kreg’s Lightweight Concrete Planter plan, credited to HomeMadeModern.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A second method makes a genuinely solid planter by pouring concrete into plywood or other forms. That process has different materials, drainage details, handling requirements and curing times. The two methods should not be combined: feather-finish coating is not a substitute for concrete selected for casting, and a plywood shell is not automatically a safe mold for a concrete pour.
Choose the construction method before buying materials
Your first decision determines nearly every later step. Use the plywood-shell method when you want a wood-bodied planter with a cement appearance and a hidden plastic insert. Use a cast planter when you want the vessel itself to be concrete and are prepared to build a mold, place an inner form and wait for the concrete to cure.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
| Feature | Plywood shell with cement coating | Concrete cast in forms |
|---|---|---|
| Basic sequence | Cut plywood, assemble a hollow tube, then apply feather-finish concrete mix to the exterior. | Build an outer form and inner form, pour concrete into the space between them, compact it and cure it. |
| Primary materials | 3/4-inch sanded pine plywood, 1 1/4-inch pocket-hole screws and feather-finish concrete mix. | Form plywood, an inner container or form, a selected concrete mix and a drain-forming dowel. |
| Drainage | The plant sits in a plastic container that already provides its own drainage; the shell is decorative. | A 1/2-inch hole can be formed through the base with an oiled dowel in the QUIKRETE example. |
| Plant location | Removable plastic pot concealed by the shell and split top. | Cavity left by the inner form, or a separate insert chosen for the finished planter. |
| Cure or waiting instruction | Follow the feather-finish product label for mixing, drying and recoating intervals. | The cited cast project specifies three to four days of curing before use; a separate forming project says to wait at least four days before removing its form. |
The sources do not establish a price, finished weight, durability ranking or plant-performance advantage for either build. Choose based on the construction you can execute accurately, not on an assumed comparison.
Build 1: a plywood shell with a concrete-look finish
This is the most direct interpretation of a wood and concrete planter. The shell is a square plywood tube. A feather-finish mix creates the cement surface on the outside, while a cut opening in the top lets a plant pot drop inside.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Materials and tools
- One sheet of 3/4-inch sanded pine plywood.
- 1 1/4-inch pocket-hole screws.
- Feather-finish concrete mix.
- A circular saw with a guide for straight cuts.
- A jigsaw for the circular opening and any profile cuts.
- A pocket-hole jig.
- Sandpaper and 120-grit drywall sanding mesh.
- A plastic plant container sized to fit the finished opening.
These items are the components listed for the Kreg/HomeMadeModern shell plan. The plan also calls for top and base pieces and strips; their final dimensions depend on the tube assembled from the specified side panels and on the pot you select.
1. Confirm the insert and drainage first
Measure the outside diameter or width of the plastic pot, including any rim that must sit on the top ledge. The opening must be large enough for the pot body but small enough for the rim to support it. Keep the pot removable so you can empty standing water, inspect roots and move the plant without disturbing the coated shell.
Do not fill this shell with soil directly. The project is designed to conceal a plastic plant container, not to make plywood a permanent wet-soil vessel. The pot’s own drainage holes should remain open; place a saucer or other catchment where needed for indoor use.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
2. Cut the plywood panels
From the 3/4-inch sheet, cut two side panels measuring 14 by 18 inches and two narrower side panels measuring 12 1/2 by 18 inches. All four panels are 3/4 inch thick. Use a guide with the circular saw so the long edges meet cleanly; a square tube magnifies small errors at every corner.
Recommended Free Tools
Cut the remaining top and base pieces and the strips specified by the plan. Dry-fit the four sides around the intended pot before drilling. This is the point to correct an opening or overall height, while the pieces are still easy to recut.
3. Add ledges to the narrow panels
The plan uses strips screwed to the narrow panels to form ledges. These ledges support the top pieces around the plant opening and help locate the base. Mark a consistent height on both narrow panels, drill pocket holes with the jig and fasten the strips with the 1 1/4-inch pocket-hole screws.
Keep the strip positions mirrored from side to side. A ledge that is slightly higher on one panel can leave the top tilted or make the pot rim bear unevenly.
4. Assemble the square tube
Lay the panels on a flat surface, check the orientation of the ledges, and join the sides with pocket-hole screws. The two 14-inch panels and two 12 1/2-inch panels form the square tube described in the plan. Check each corner for a consistent seam and verify that the tube is square by comparing diagonal measurements.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Install the base piece as specified, leaving the interior suitable for the plastic pot. The shell should be structurally complete before any cement-look material is applied; coating is a finish step, not the joint that holds the box together.
5. Cut and split the top
Mark the circle using the pot as the sizing reference, then cut it with a jigsaw. The plan splits the top into two pieces so the plant and its container can be installed after the shell is in place. Dry-fit both top pieces with the pot underneath. They should meet neatly while leaving the rim supported and the foliage undamaged during installation.
6. Apply the feather-finish coating
Mix and apply the feather-finish concrete mix according to its package directions. Spread it over the exterior faces in the thickness and number of coats the product specifies. Work around the corners deliberately so the plywood does not show through at edges, but do not assume that a thicker layer makes the shell equivalent to cast concrete.
Allow each application to dry for the interval on the product label. Use sandpaper between coats only as directed, then use the listed 120-grit drywall sanding mesh to even the surface. Keep dust away from the pot opening and from the interior where the plant container will sit.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →7. Install the pot and finish the setup
Place the empty plastic container inside the finished tube, set the split top pieces around its rim, and confirm that the pot can still be lifted out. Add the plant after the fit is confirmed. Water into the pot, not onto the coated plywood, and remove the pot periodically to check for trapped moisture or leakage.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Drainage: design it before the planter is closed
Drainage is a construction detail, not an accessory added at the end. In the coated-shell design, the plastic insert is the soil container, so its drainage holes must stay unobstructed. A shell that hides a pot does not need a hole through its own plywood base unless your specific layout creates a place where spilled water can collect.
For comparison, the QUIKRETE Cast Concrete Planters project forms a drain opening with a 1/2-inch oiled dowel through the bottom. The dowel is positioned before the pour and removed after the concrete has set enough to hold the opening.
General wooden-planter guidance from The Home Depot’s planter-box guide calls for at least five evenly spaced bottom holes, no more than 3/4 inch wide, with screen or landscape fabric fitted around the holes while leaving them open. That advice applies to a wooden box intended to hold soil directly; it should not be mistaken for a requirement to drill the Kreg-style shell when a plastic insert is doing that job.
Build 2: cast a concrete planter in forms
A cast planter is a separate project with a different order of operations. Here, concrete creates the planter body and a form creates its cavity. Select the mix from the instructions for the project you are following; do not use feather-finish coating mix as though it were a pourable structural concrete.
Square planter with plywood forms
The QUIKRETE square example uses 3/4-inch plywood forms with outside dimensions of 18 by 15 by 10 inches. Its assembly uses a groove and an inner container. Before pouring, make the 1/2-inch drain opening by passing an oiled dowel through the bottom.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Assemble the outer plywood form to the stated 18-by-15-by-10-inch outside dimensions.
- Prepare the inner container or form so the wall thickness and cavity are consistent.
- Oil the dowel and place it through the base where the drain opening is required.
- Pour the concrete base first.
- Position the inner form without dislodging the dowel.
- Fill around the inner form and compact the concrete with a tamper, following the project directions.
- Leave the square planter to cure for three to four days before use, while also following the selected mix’s current package directions.
Round planter formed in damp sand
For a round shape, the same QUIKRETE project describes shaping a cavity in damp sand and placing an inner form inside it. The outer sand supports the wet concrete while the inner form creates the planting void. Its round planter is wet-cured in sand for three to four days. Keep the drain path planned before filling the cavity; changing the base after the concrete has set is not a practical correction.
Cabinet-and-foam forming approach
A separate QUIKRETE Forming a Concrete Planter project uses an old cabinet as the outside mold, rigid foam for the interior void and QUIKRETE 5000 Concrete Mix. Brace the cabinet if needed so outward pressure does not distort the mold. Cover the concrete with plastic while it cures to help control moisture, and allow at least four days before removing the form.
Those four days belong to that specific forming project. The square and round planter instructions give three to four days, and a different concrete product can specify another schedule. Read the current label for the mix you actually use rather than transferring a curing time from another project.
Protective practices for cement and forms
QUIKRETE’s forming instructions state: “When working with cement-based products, always wear eye protection and waterproof gloves.” Work outdoors or in a workspace that can be managed safely, keep cement dust and wet mix away from skin and eyes, and follow the selected product label for handling and cleanup.
- Wear the specified eye protection and waterproof gloves whenever handling cement-based products.
- Support and brace forms before pouring; wet concrete can push outward on plywood or a cabinet.
- Keep the drain-forming dowel aligned while placing and compacting the mix.
- Cover curing concrete when the project instructions call for plastic, and do not demold early simply because the surface feels hard.
- Use the mix’s current directions for water amount, working time, curing and demolding.
Prepare a wood shell for outdoor exposure
If the coated shell will live outdoors, protect the wood portions and the fasteners that hold them together. The Home Depot guide recommends exterior-rated, non-rusting screws for wooden planters. It identifies cedar, white oak and redwood as naturally resistant to termites and other insects, while pressure-treated and composite boards are chemically treated to resist damage.
Pressure-treated products are not recommended in that guide for growing food. Since the Kreg shell uses sanded pine plywood and a hidden plastic pot, treat it as an ornamental container unless the materials and finish you choose are specifically suitable for your intended crop.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPossible wood finishes discussed by the guide include oil finishes, water-based acrylic, exterior paint sealer, varnish and polyurethane. Apply only a finish compatible with the existing coating and the manufacturer’s directions. Check the finish annually and refresh it as needed; the guide does not establish a guaranteed service life for this hybrid planter.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot the build before it becomes permanent
| Problem noticed | Likely decision point | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| The pot will not pass through the top. | The opening was sized without accounting for the pot rim or the split-top arrangement. | Enlarge or recut the top before coating, and verify that the rim still has a ledge to rest on. |
| The top rocks on the shell. | The support strips are not at matching heights or the tube is not square. | Check the ledges and diagonal measurements, then correct the wood assembly before applying finish. |
| Water remains inside the planter. | The insert’s drainage holes are blocked, or a cast planter’s drain-forming step was omitted. | Lift out the plastic pot and clear its holes; for a cast design, follow the dowel-based drain detail in the selected plan. |
| The concrete form bows while filling. | The outer mold lacks adequate bracing for the pressure of wet concrete. | Stop and reinforce the form before continuing, as advised in the cabinet-form project. |
| The surface is dusty or uneven. | The coating was not applied, dried or sanded according to its product directions. | Let the layer dry for the label-specified interval, then use the recommended sanding method before another coat. |
Final pre-planting checklist
- Method selected: coated plywood shell or cast concrete form.
- Materials kept separate: feather-finish mix for the coating method; the specified concrete mix for the casting method.
- Pot or inner cavity measured before cutting or pouring.
- Drainage path confirmed and left open.
- Shell joints, ledges and top pieces tested dry before coating.
- Form braced, dowel oiled and inner form positioned before a concrete pour.
- Eye protection and waterproof gloves ready for cement work.
- Curing, drying and demolding times taken from the product or project instructions being followed.
- Outdoor wood sealed with a compatible exterior finish and inspected annually.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
