DIY: How to Make Backyard Hanging Shelves

Materials:

• 1-inch x 6-inch whiteboard (enough to cut two 24-inch-long boards)
• measuring tape
• circular saw or hand saw
• jigsaw and electric drill
• 7/16-inch drill bit
• (4) #8 zinc-plated screw eyes
• 3/8-inch manila rope
• weatherproofing wood stain and brush
• (6) 4 1/2-inch pots with lip
• 6 flowering plants

Begin by measuring the space between each vertical post in a single section of your fencing. The total length will help you determine the measurements for the size and placement of the two hanging shelves.

Our distance from post to post was 78 1/2 inches long, so I chose to create two 2-foot-long hanging shelves and mount them on the horizontal brace. Hanging from the brace provides proper support and adequate clearance for the hanging shelves to lie flush against the fence, and ensures that the screw eyes won't poke through to your neighbor's side of the fence line.

For placement of the shelves, measure and mark on the horizontal brace 12 inches from each post, then 24 inches from that mark. Repeat the process from the second post. In my case, this left 6 1/2 inches between each shelf.

For placement of the four screw eyes, measure and mark 1 inch in from each of the previous four measurements and 1 inch from the top of the horizontal brace.

TIP: Standard measuring tapes are 1 inch wide, which makes this measurement simple.

Screw the zinc-plated screw eyes into the horizontal brace by hand or with pliers. If needed, predrill holes.

Next, I rummaged through my scrap wood pile and found a nice piece of whiteboard. I cut the whiteboard into two 24-inch-long boards using a circular saw. Cedar, which will last longer, would be a great substitute for the whiteboard. Lacking a circular saw? A hand saw takes a bit more effort, but works just as well.

Once the boards are cut to length, draw a center line down the length of the board. I placed each pot along the center line and made marks at 4 inches, 12 inches and 20 inches. I chose this placement to allow adequate space for each plant to grow and enough space on each end for the rope to be attached.

Measure the circumference of each pot just under the lip. This measurement will aid you in calculating the diameter, which is the circumference divided by 3.14. My pots were 4 inches in diameter.

With a diameter of 4 inches, measure and mark 2 inches to the left, right, top and bottom of your center points (4 inches, 12 inches and 20 inches.) This will provide you with markers to create a circular template.

Use a circular object to help you connect your markers. I didn't have a 4-inch-diameter object, but using a round coffee mug to connect two points at a time got the job done.

To determine rope placement, use your drill and a 7/16 inch drill bit. Drill a hole on the center line 1 inch from the right and left sides of the board.

Then drill a hole on the interior of the circle as close to your outline as possible. This will provide an entry point for the jigsaw.

Starting from the predrilled hole, cut out each circle with a jigsaw.

No need to measure everything a second time. Use the first board as a template for your second shelf.

To protect your shelf from the elements and to add a rich color to the whiteboard, apply two coats of weatherproofing stain.

Transfer the plants from their temporary plastic pots to the ceramic pots and place the pots into each shelf.

Having difficulty finding colorful pots? Purchase inexpensive clay or ceramic pots and spray paint them like I did. Or stick with neutrals if that works better for your yard.

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