Make Beautiful Planter Barrel Posts for Your String Lights
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- Опубліковано 6 вер 2024
- Quick and easy guide for how to build Planter Barrel Posts for String Lights using some scrap wood, a 4x4 post, concrete and a plastic whiskey barrel. Use these tips to build strong and sturdy posts to hang your sting lights from.
Affiliate links to some of the of tools I used in this video are below. If you order from one of the links below we'll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for shopping we really appreciate it!
Black and Decker Jig Saw: amzn.to/3CiXGfZ
Metabo Nail Gun: amzn.to/3EE35hF
California Air Compressor: amzn.to/3CuHS7Z
Products like those used in this project:
Plastic Whiskey Barrel: amzn.to/3Otm0TK
LED String Lights: amzn.to/41x2bhk
LED Post Cap Lights: amzn.to/3kqFBVb
Eye Hooks: amzn.to/3CsCxOE
Interlocking Spring Snaps: amzn.to/3EzD6rK
Outdoor Extension Cord: amzn.to/394NxZA
** Not in video - I added this Outdoor WIFI Smart Plug with 3 Outlets to power and program a schedule for the string lights: amzn.to/3jdy5ic
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Our site: www.howtofixitw...
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I just bought these yesrerday and tried to use brackets too flimsy thought about using concrete but wasnt sure if you could still put plants in them. You just answered all of the questions I have. Thanks.
Ps Im using landscaping timbers they are less than 4 dollars locally. Alternative in case someone doesnt want to pay for actual 4x4s
The timbers are a great alternative, thanks for sharing!
Ok good I'm not only one with idea of concrete barrel post holders :) great idea with plants. Thanks 😊
You're welcome, thanks for the feedback!
You could also throw a sunshade on there with the same hooks which is exactly what I'm planning to do to improve on your idea thank you
I've considered that but haven't tried it yet. I'd just make sure to take the shade down when not in use so that it doesn't act as a wind sail and blow away
Thanks super helpful. Very happy these string lights and lampposts come in a solar powered version now so no outlet needed! 👍🏽
You're welcome. I haven't seen the solar powered string lights, but that's a great idea!
I was just thinking about doing something like this to create a privacy screen with outdoor curtains. The only thing different was that I had some cement post anchors sitting around that I was going to use inside some large round planters and then fill them half way with drainage rocks for weight & to stabilize the posts more before topping them up with soil
Sounds good!
Looks beautiful!! Did you put 1 whole bag in each planter?
Thank you! I think I may have split up 3 x 80 pound bags across the 4 buckets but can't remember for sure. It has held up and the posts have stood without falling over for 4 years
Excellent video. Just completed two of these planters for my deck today. Thanks for the instruction!
You're welcome! Thank you for the feedback!
Thanks for this. I have a small patio, about 12x15. Have the 16" Vigoro whiskey barrel resin planters from HD, w 8' landscape timbers, less weight, smaller thickness, and cost half of a 4x4. The 20" planters were too big for my space. I wanted to avoid concrete, I live alone so dragging 60 lb bags is difficult. D'y think that a 6'" layer of concrete is enough to keep the timber pole anchored, if i fill the rest with stones, soil and plants? I was going to use metal L brackets against the base of the pole and hold it all into place w heavy duty caulk adhesives (PL, Loctite etc), but apparently they will not adhere to resin planters. So I'm now back to thinking I'd have to deal w concrete, just want to minimize it if possible.
Sounds like a good plan
Just did this today, very easy and nice at night.
That's great! Thanks for the feedback!
I need you to come and do this for me!!! 🤣
Haha! I could build you some and ship them to you! 😆
OK, so I’m back at year later to watch this video and wanting to do this myself. How is the plastic bucket holding up one year later? I am debating between the wood barrels and plastic and can’t come to a consensus yet.
We have the same plastic barrels several years later, they've held up very well
Dont put too much concrete if you do jusy have a plastic one. Mine broke.
Thank you for this video. You explained everything well. I'm off to get my items. Ill check back in to let you know how it went. 🤞
Thank you and good luck! Let us know how it turns out!!
it must not have gone well :P
Actually..... I've been a bit busy 🤣
With concerts... Billy Joel... then Kenny Chesney! 🥰🥰
I did however purchase my planters. I got 4 of them from At Home.
Quick set concrete and 4 x 4's from Lowes. Placed that in the planters with the concrete set..
Prior to watching the video I was trying to dig a hole and place in the ground. I was not having an easy time at accomplishing that.
The planters worked !!! 🥰
That's great!!
@@howtofixitworkshop
Oh! How I wish we could post pictures on this feed!
Update: My neighbors are so jealous.
A good type of jealously, not the bad kind. I accomplished everything I set out to do. My backyard is now an oasis 🤗
The planters look magnificent. I painted the 4×4's black to match the planters. Hung the lights and instant ambience.
Thank you!
You stated this in a reply to a question: "I think the string lights stretch and sag a little bit in the heat of summer, but then snap back in the colder weather." I've seen other videos that suggest running a line or wire between posts to help support the lights. What are your thoughts on that idea?
I've seen that option too but haven't used it. My lights are still doing great 4 years later, just a little sag in the very hot summer but otherwise still in the spot where they were hung
Stove, Alex, baldy got you.
I don't understand that
I love your cross method, it worked great. I think I have the same planters, 20 inches top and 13 on bottom. But mine is sitting on cement near cars on the driveway. I'm concerned that they will tip with a strong gust of wind. They shake with a little push. Did yours ever tip over?
Mine have never tipped over, still standing strong in the same spot for about 4 years
When you add the concrete to the barrel, how much of the barrel would you say it fills? Half, 2/3rd's, 1/3rd?
Approximately half
I’m looking to do the same with the same resin planter. I’ve read from others that these sometimes tip over. Have you ever had issues with them tipping? Mine will be on a ground level deck and certainly don’t want them tipping over. Thanks for the video!
Mine haven't tipped over at all, still standing strong through dozens of storms and high gusts of wind over the last few years
Mine haven't tipped over at all, still standing strong through dozens of storms and high gusts of wind over the last few years
Did the concrete leak out of the planter while wet? Should i get a liner of sorts?
I don't think mine had any holes for it to leak out from but if yours does you could use cardboard or something readily available. The concrete cures pretty quickly
Exactly what I was looking for.
Happy to help!
This was the first time I’ve watch a video an actually went to ether big box and started the project. Set the posts 15 minutes ago.
Haha, that's awesome! Hope they turn out well!
Well done on the project and the video presentation. Thank You
You are welcome! Thank you for the feedback!
Thank you for these quick and easy instructions! This is a project I’ve been wanting to do for a while! The only question I have is, what size bag did you use and did you use 1 1/2 bags per container? Thank you so much!
Thanks! Yes I used 1 1/2 60lb bags per container
Thank you so much for this detailed video!
You're welcome! Thanks for the feedback!
The cross attachments for footing is a great idea. I’ll have to use that!
Thank you, they've worked out really well
Awesome Awesome Awesome
Thank you Thank you Thank you
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Great video thank you!!
You're welcome!
great explanation - thanks for making this. Do you find they blow over in a strong wind?
Thanks! Nope haven't had any problems with blow over at all, they're pretty heavy
I have some great string lights can I send it to you for a review?
Very nice!
Thank you!
Perfect!!
Thank you!
Think you could attach fence posts between 2 to make a privacy wall
Maybe, but the fence may act as a sail in high winds and blow over
Thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for. Do you think I could put casters on the bottoms of the barrels (wood barrels instead of resin) so I could move them in the winter?
Your welcome! Yes you could add casters, I recommend using small ones that can lock and placing them as close to the barrel edge as possible to avoid tipping over. Good luck!
Just use a dolly
Good tip if you have access to one! Thanks!
Any issue with the buckets wanting to tip over from the pulling of the lights? Also how tall are your posts?
No issues at all. The posts are 8 ft tall
Dont want to buy a saw to cut the cross sections. Should i use a cheap post bracket to secure to the planter or just level the post then hold until the quickcrete hardens. Not sure how "fast" that would be.
You could probably use a board or two at the base to help hold it upright instead of cutting out the cross. It's just for initial stability until the concrete dries
The link to the Black and Decker Jig Saw, is incorrect.
Thanks for letting us know, we'll fix it
We followed the tutorial but our planters keep tipping over with the weight of being pulled by the lights! Tips to fix this??
That's very surprising, your string lights must be pretty heavy! How much concrete and rock did you have in each barrel? Mine have never tipped over or even moved from their original location
One bag of concrete per container. We’re at a loss now on the next step . Our lights just came from amazon
Do you have to use the wood crosses for this to work or can I do it without then mmm bro ? Nice vid sub
Thanks! The crosses made them much easier to stand up and kept them still and plumb while adding the concrete and letting it cure
This is great. Iknow this was uploaded 9 months ago, but I immediate subscribed. I do have one question...how far are you from your power supply? I'm not sure how to do that because of the power supply.
Thanks! Probably 15 feet away, I used an extension cord
Did you use a bag and half on each post or all together
I used a bag and a half per post
What size bag of quick Crete did you use per barrel?
Question, do you just use one eye hole hook and snap hook per post?
Yep, that's what we did
Where is the list of items used for this project… I might just be blind but I didn’t see it.
They're down in the video description
What size bags of quikrete did you use?
60lb
Will this work for shade sails aswell?
I think it would work ok if half of the shade sail is mounted to a solid surface, like a house
Beautiful! How heavy are each post? Can they be moved from one location to another with ease?
Thanks! I think at least 50lbs each at the base. They can be tilted and rolled pretty easy or carried by two people
how well do these hold up in strong winds like 40-80 mph? not sure if i should just do my post above or below ground.
We don't have wind that strong my area, but ours are super strong and have never been knocked over
Is it okay to cement weather treated posts while they are not dry yet?
I think it's ok for this project
Was there a reason you had the base shaped as a "x" or cross as opposed to cutting a square and trimming the edges?
Not really, I think it was to make better use of that piece of scrap wood that I had
Ok. Originally I trimmed the corners to make it fit, but I eventually cut them to crosses. When you put the base in that planter, there's a raised area in the middle creating a gap below it. I thought the concrete would bond better if it could go over and under the cross base. Thanks for the video, I DID NOT want to struggle with a post hole digger!
You're welcome, and thanks for the feedback! Same for me with the post hole digger!
Does anyone know how well these are holding up to wind and just not tipping over in general.
I haven't had any issues with them tipping over
We did this for our deck but it seems like the poles are not heavy enough for the lights. Any suggestions?
That's surprising, mine are very heavy with the concrete and rocks at the bottom of the barrel. I haven't had any issues with string light weight
Would this work for putting up a sun shade? Would be it heavy enough to not fall over in the wind?
I was wondering the samething!
@MrsMcGee-tu3oe I am now answer this question if you have high winds it will blow these poles over I have 2 bags of cement in each pan and still was blown over in the wind. It hit my table and sadly damaged it. Today was not windy at all and it worked great so it a good idea long as it is not windy.
What size players did you guys use
Hi, the planter barrels we used are 20.5 inches. We have a link in the description below the video
How many feet of lights did you use?
I think it was 40 feet
@@howtofixitworkshop thanks
You're welcome
Very nice . Would the 4x4 bend after awhile ?
Nope, mine have held up for several years now
I tried this today, My pole fell down when i try to hang lights on it. :( Pole Weight is not balancing :( How much concrete level does it need to hold the pole ?
I used about 80 lbs of concrete per barrel
Great setup. How do they do under windy conditions? Thanks!
Yep, they've held up just fine for the past few years
What size barrel is that?
What are the dimensions of the base?
I believe they are 24"diameter barrels
I have access to some 6x6 posts, would this also work or would it be too top heavy?
I don't really think they'd be too top heavy
Was there any issues with the planters turning over due to the weight of the lights or the tension between poles?
None at all for me. I've had them in the same location for almost a year and I haven't had any problems, they stand strong. I think the string lights stretch and sag a little bit in the heat of summer, but then snap back in the folder weather. I have moved the planters a little further apart in the summer
We just did this without the cross on the bottom. When we added our tarp the wind tipped it over. What do you recommend I use so it won't tip over?
Are you using the posts for a shade sail? I'm not sure how to prevent the wind from blowing them over with a shade sail. Mine are used for string lights
@DeeGee, I would anchor your posts to the ground or a nearby fence or wall. The tarp is like a sail or wind sail and will lift anything not anchored down. Theres tons of videos on UA-cam for anchoring planters and such. Goodluck.
What type of wood and how long was it?
8 foot 4 inch by 4 inch pressure treated pine posts
I put a shade sail on them and they kept falling over, any ideas?
Sorry, these are for string lights, they're probably not heavy enough for a shade sail
Could i do the same with plastic planters ??
Yes, I used plastic planters in this video
How tall are the posts
They are 8 foot 4 inch x 4 inch posts
Where are links to planters and what size are they?
There should be links in the video description
How long are the posts you bought?
8 foot
I’m doing this project this weekend. We have actual wooden barrels but I fear they might split. We didn’t want plastic, thinking it would crack from the concrete. Are we better off going with plastic?
We've had the plastic for a couple seasons now and they are holding up really well. The important thing is to drill a drain hole in the side of the barrels just above the concrete line so that excess water can drain out
We did with the wood wisky barrel and it stayed good for 3 years, but when we went to move it fell apart. Now that we're moved and wanting to make 4 of these, I'm thinking I'll go with the plastic. I had same question. So I'm glad you asked. Hoping the drill hole is why it'll be OK.
Yep, I drilled the two small holes in each barrel and they do a nice job of draining excess water.. Our barrels are in the same condition a year and a half later
We put copper pipe in the drain holes and cut them at the top of the concrete.
That's a good idea
what were the size of the crosses?
They were approximately the size of the inside of the bottom of the barrel
How is the water going to drain from barrels iif u put concrete? The plants are going to have root rot
We drilled small holes at the concrete line. It was shown in the video. It worked well last season
@@howtofixitworkshop what size drainage holes
They were small, around a quarter inch
Will these posts rot ?
I guess they could eventually after many years.. I've had mine for a few years now and haven't seen any signs of rot. They are pressure treated posts
Is it a bag and a half of concrete per barrel or total?
Should be a bag and a half per barrel. Think I was using 60lb concrete bags
Hi. Can you tell me the dimensions of the planter
There is a link in the description to the one we used. I think they are around 18-20 inches wide
You skipped the main part! Concrete!
Thanks, but pretty straight forward. We used about 40lbs per barrel