Natural and Sustainable

Make yourself a window box to enjoy inside your home and outside your home. Here’s how.

Making the wooden Window box:

• Materials you will need:
-Screwdriver
-Eclectic Drill
-Router (for sill mounting)
-Saw (circular or hand saws)

• What to do:
The dimensions will vary for window boxes of different lengths. Adjust dimensions to fit your windowsill. Measure the sill from end to end if you plant to mount your box below the sill. For mounting on the sill, measure between the window moldings and subtract 1/8-inch for clearance.

To avoid splintering the wood , predrill all holes for the screws. Hardware stores sell an inexpensive combination bit that drills pilot and clearance holes for the screws and countersinks for the screw heads at the same time.

• Lumber cut List:
-1 pc. 3/4 x 7-1/4 x 30-1/2″ cedar (for the bottom)
-1 pc. 3/4 x 7-1/4 x 30-1/2″ cedar (for the front)
-1 pc. 3/4 x 7-1/4 x 30-1/2″ cedar (for the back)
-2 pc. 3/4 x 7-1/4 x 5-3/4″ cedar (for the ends)
-1 pc. 3/4 x 7-1/4 x 5-3/4″ cedar (for middle divider)

• Hardware needed:
-#6 x 1-1/4″ galvanized wood screws
-Long Arm hook and eye or metal brackets

• Assembly Process:
1. Screw the front and the back to the ends and the divider.

2. Drill two rows of 1/2-inch drainage holes in the bottom of the window box. Space the holes about 6-inches apart in the row. Position the center of the holes at least 1-1/4 inches from the edge of the bottom.

3. Screw the bottom to the assembled front, back, and ends.

4. Mount the box. For on-sill mounting, use long arm hooks and eyes. Attach the arm to the window frame and the eye to the window box. Hook the arm to the eye to attach the box. For below-the-sill mounting, screw brackets to the box and house.

Here are plants that thrive in pots, especially window boxes:

1. African Daisy (Dimorphotheca aurantiaca): Clusters of yellow, orange, and white blooms on 12-to18-inch stems.

2. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus): Dense foliage with needlelike leaves. Tiny, white, fragrant flowers, followed by small, red berries.

3. Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila paniculata): Large clusters of tiny white flowers on long stalks. Hardy perennial.

4. Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Bushy, half-hardy herb. Needs full sun, frequent watering.

5. Begonia (Begonia spp.): Wide variety of color in both leaves and the blooms, some trailing.

*For a complete list, click here.*

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Plants are a great asset to anyone’s home. They help clean the air naturally and for free.