How to build a garden hod basket * tutorial *

Winter giving you the Garden blues? Why not use the down time to build accessories you will need once the weather warms up? A jig saw ($20), hammer & nails, staple gun ($10 -don't forget the wood staples), waterproof wood glue, measuring tape, and wire cutter are all the tools you will need.

I frequent Home depot for my lumber needs which seems to be often. We do not have "locally owned" lumber yards around to patron. This week, I picked up some soft wood (12 inches wide X 1 inch thick X 8 feet long) off the cull lumber cart for $1! I get most of my wood off that cart and never fail to find a great piece at every visit. (I've been rather lucky with the cull cart- be aware- there is a reason it is a cull. Be sure to check it over). I also picked up some 1X2 trim (8 ft long) for less then $2 -normal price- for this project. The rabbit cage wire I had on hand and recycled it off a very ugly chicken tractor from last year.

If you participate in this project, be sure to leave a comment here with your link. Please share it in a blog post and of course be sure to give a peek at your finished basket- via- pictures!

So lets get started, shall we?

Step 1. Cutting the wood pieces~ you will need to cut 2 pieces of 8 inch by 12 inch wood from the board I mentioned above. You will also need to cut 2 pieces of the 1x2 at 18 inch lengths. You may also cut 2 - 4 inch ( bigger if desired) pieces if you would like feet on your basket bottom. Be sure to wear those safety goggles. Saw dust in the eyes do not tickle.

Step 2. You will want to cut the bottom corners off and cut/notch the top corners to fit the side rail wood (1x2's). ***Observe the method of holding the 1x2 and tracing the correct notch for the top side rails in picture A. ****Observe picture B for the correct way to trace rounded corners for the bottom. I used a regualr size spray paint can for my template. These will be the lines you need to follow with your jigsaw.

Observe pictures when in doubt!

Step 3. Now that your pieces are cut out, it's time to get your cage wire cut to size. Measure from the top notch, down to curved corner- to other curved corner, up to other side top notch. Your measuring tape will be bent in a U. On my board, it measured 23 inches- so I added 1/2 an inch to give 1/4 inch extra wire to go under each of the side rails -at the notches.

Now you know how wide to cut it and will need to cut the length at 18 inches. You now should have cage wire cut out that measures 23 1/2 inches X 18 inches.

Step 4. Now attach your 1x2x18 inch side rails to the cage wire ends (the 18 inch end lengths of course) with staples like this:

Do not be shy with the staples. You want to make it secure so it will hold to a good amount of abuse and weight.

Step 5. Time to nail the wood sides to the boards. Place a small amount of wood glue into the wood notches and place the 1x2 (cage wire side "inside" the notch) onto the board and hammer in the nail. Be sure to keep the edges flush- not overlapping or hanging over the edge.

Step 6. Repeat the above until all side rails are nailed in place. Time to get out that stapler again!

Step 7. Staple the cage wire to the board ends. Once again- do not be shy about the staples. I will suggest you do them in a straight line for a cleaner appearance. unlike mine... I used a tack hammer to pound over the staples- giving a flat and flush look. My wood was soft enough that the tack hammer had pound the cage wire into the wood for a smoother finish.

Step 8. If you are adding the feet to the bottom, here is a close up shot to give you the "how to" on placing them. Be sure to measure it out- both ends are same distance from the edges.

Step 9. Sit back and relax. You just accomplished a great task. You now have a basket to either collect the bounty of your garden, store bulbs in for spring, throw the mail, or use as a handy dandy emergency chicken cage for escaping chicks....turned upside down of course....

Stay tuned for the next project!

Sweet dreams,

Tammie