Concrete is one of the easiest materials to come by and it fairly costs less than other materials. It is strong, rustic, and easy to handle. But most importantly, it can be used in wide applications across the spectrum to make so many things. A case in point is this DIY concrete planter with dowel feet. And do you know how it was made? In a cardboard box! Yes, that is correct. This rustic planter was made with concrete using a cardboard box as mold.
Let’s learn how you can make this at home without much fuss or cost.
Here is what you need:
- An empty cardboard box
- Four Dowels or substitute them for four wooden pegs
- Concrete
- Cellophane Wrap
- Small Plastic Cup or Planter
Also Read: How to Make Cement Planter With Old Towel or Cloth
Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet
Making this DIY concrete planter is very easy. Begin by wrapping the box with cellophane from the inside. This step is not necessary but it prevents concrete from sticking to or tearing through the cardboard and give it a textured look. You can skip this step if you want.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Cardboard Box Mold](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Cardboard-Box-Mold.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Wrap insides in cellophane](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Wrap-insides-in-cellophane.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Prep the mold](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Prep-the-mold.jpg)
Next cut holes in the corners to fit in the dowels. Make sure to mark the points to the dowel size to avoid cutting more than required.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Put the dowels in](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Put-the-dowels-in.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - put the dowels in 1](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-put-the-dowels-in-1.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - mold is ready](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-mold-is-ready.jpg)
Although this step is also optional, but you can stick the dowel feet to a flat surface using a double-sided tape so the feet don’t move during the pouring or curing process.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Stick feet to a flat surface](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Stick-feet-to-a-flat-surface.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - stick feet](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-stick-feet.jpg)
Once the mold is prepared, mix the concrete with water to a thick consistency. When you have the desired thickness of concrete, pour it into the box halfway through.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Prepare concrete mixture](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Prepare-concrete-mixture.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Pour concrete in mold](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Pour-concrete-in-mold.jpg)
Then fill the plastic cup or planter with sand or pebbles so it becomes heavy and place it inside the concrete box to create a hole to plant things in. Make sure it is centered to have a uniform design or you can choose asymmetry as well.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Add smaller vessel to create a well](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Add-smaller-vessel-to-create-a-well.jpg)
When the smaller vessel is nice and snug inside the mold, fill in the gaps to achieve the desired height of the planter.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Fill with concrete](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Fill-with-concrete.jpg)
Now let it set for 24-48 hours. Once the concrete is cured, remove the box mold and the cellophane. Take out the planter or cup inside and sand the rough surfaces if you like.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - cured](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-cured.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Remove mold and cellophane](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Remove-mold-and-cellophane.jpg)
The cellophane creates a primitive sort of texture on the concrete, giving a nice rustic-looking vessel, in which you can plant any low-maintenance plant. We planter a geranium inside ours.
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Empty planter](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Empty-planter.jpg)
![Low-Cost DIY Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - Add a plant](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Low-Cost-DIY-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-Add-a-plant.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 9](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-9.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 8](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-8.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 10](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-10.jpg)
Check out the video tutorial below and let us know what you think of this DIY. Would you be doing it yourself?
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 11](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-11.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - final product](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-final-product.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 3](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-3.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 2](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-2.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 4](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-4.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 6](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-6.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 7](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-7.jpg)
![How to Make Concrete Planter With Dowel Feet - 5](https://cdn.homecrux.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-Make-Concrete-Planter-With-Dowel-Feet-5.jpg)
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