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    Home » DIY » outdoor living » Rustic Ladder Plant Display

    Rustic Ladder Plant Display

    Published by Gail | Published February 17, 2017 | Updated July 12, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    I have an easy project to share with you today! I love using reclaimed wood for outdoor projects. Sometimes I just make stuff up as I go along, and learn better ways to do things. The next rustic ladder plant display I make will be a little different.

    free-weathered-fencingI’m still working my way through the yummylicious perfectly weathered reclaimed wood including fence boards, 2x4’s, 4x4’s and MORE!

     

    reclaimed weathered lumberFor this project I chose a 4x4 and a 2x4. The 4x4 about 6 feet, the 2x4 was probably 8 feet.

    *This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.*

    cut wood to size with sawThe first order of business was to cut the 4x4 in half. That’s why you see both tape measures laying there. I keep the orange one on this saw stand, and my self centering tape measure is generally on my smaller compound miter saw. The self centering was used to measure the length of the board and quickly tells me where the center of the board is. <math challenged>   Winking smile

     

    cut bottom on an angleAfter cutting the 4x4 in half, I cut one end at an angle to allow it to rest easily on the ground or driveway.

     

    angle cutI cut it on an angle at approximately 33°

    rustic display ladder rests at an angle on the groundI tested the angle on the driveway to see how much slope I got on the 4x4. Works for me!

     

    cut ladder shelves out of reclaimed 2x4sI cut three pieces of the weathered 2x4 at 13” in length.

    design display ladder shelf spacingI used a bar clamp to hold the uprights together, placing one of the “shelves” on the lower end and I worked on securing the top shelf with 4” wood screws

    ladder shelves need to be level to the groundA small level is a must to make sure that the shelf is level to the ground WHILE the display ladder is leaning against a solid surface.

     

    pre-drill pilot holeI have been using this extra long drill bit for years when I need a pilot hole in bed posts for headboard benches.

     

    4 inch wood screwYou don’t have to drill pilot holes, but these long screws get a little floppy, so having the pilot holes just makes things a little easier. I put one screw in both sides of all the shelves, and then went back and added a second screw on each. Countersinking all screws a) to hide them and b) to give them more hold into the 2x4 shelf.

     

    rustic ladder display measurements MyRepurposedLife.comI took these photos so you could see (and I could remember) the measurements of each of the stages. The overall length of the 4x4 is about 31.75”. There is about 9” clearance between the shelves, and each of the shelves are 13” in length. The bottom right image shows the angle that will allow the rustic ladder display to lean and make the shelves level.

     

    rustic ladder reclaimed wood plant display for outdoors MyRepurposedLife.comHere it is leaning up against my diy picket fence. The best thing about this project? It can be out in the weather for many more years.

    More garden ideas here

    diy rustic ladder plant display MyRepurposedLife.com

    PIN IT!

    I only had one planter to display on it for this photo shoot. When I make another, I will make it taller using a longer 4x4. Since I didn’t really know what I was doing I just grabbed the first one I could find. Winking smile   I might cut the top of the 4x4 on an angle the next time.

    You could make this with new lumber, but I would use treated lumber for outdoors.

    I love making fun and easy projects to fill the time at the end of a day or while I’m waiting for paint to dry. There is  still a lot of this reclaimed lumber left in my stash for many more projects.

    See another fun reclaimed wood planter here

    gail

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    1. Wendi@H2OBungalow

      February 27, 2017 at 6:08 pm

      Love it! I'd plant a bunch of garden herbs in little posts and place them on the rungs. Ps. I'm already loving my self centering tape measure! Thanks for the recommendation!

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 27, 2017 at 6:27 pm

        Ohhh, that's a great idea Wendi!
        So happy you love your self-centering tape measure.

        gail

    2. Terri

      February 22, 2017 at 6:45 pm

      I always enjoy your projects
      Thanks so much for sharing
      I've been daydreaming about finding
      a slanted display shelf to reclaim into a
      fabric padded kitty cat nap and/or sun bathing
      slanted secure shelf. Someday, someday .,,,,,,
      Sending positive healing thoughts to your pup

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 22, 2017 at 7:38 pm

        Terri,

        I've never made a shelf for my cats, but I did do a repurposed cabinet into a window seat years and years ago. Thanks for the thoughts for Lulu Mae. I'm so hoping we can avoid the surgery.

        gail

    3. chris aka monkey

      February 22, 2017 at 3:52 pm

      so dang cute and simple love this xx

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 22, 2017 at 7:39 pm

        Thank you! I love this ladder plant display too! I can't wait to make a few more for my picket fence... cuter than a shepherd's hook. 😉

        gail

    4. Eliz

      February 17, 2017 at 12:57 pm

      Gail the Lord truly crossed our paths! Just when once again I think I know it all! You are once again genius! Taking pictures of your measurements is genius! I can't wait till I get over this stupid flu and start back up on my projects. I will definately use this as another tool for my success! (((HUGS)))

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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