Garden Trug Storage

Fill trugs (shallow boxes) originally used by British farmers to carry plants or vegetables with fresh flowers and favorite items. Figure A

1/2" plywood
pine boards (1" x 4" and 1" x 2" pieces)
1" dowel
screws
drill
sandpaper
two small wood blocks
milk paint (red and white)
paintbrushes

Steps:

1. Cut plywood for the bottom and cut the pine boards to make the sides in the desired sizes. Screw together to create a shallow box.

2. Cut two 1" x 2" boards the width of the bottom to raise the trug. Turn box upside down and screw the boards to the bottom (evenly space them from each end).

3. Turn box right side up. Cut two more pieces of 1" x 2" boards to create a handle. Screw each to the center of the outer long boards. Measure and cut dowel to fit snuggly between handle pieces and drill a hole in each end of it. Screw in place.

4. Lightly sand entire trug and remove dust.

5. Mix red milk paint according to package directions and paint entire box. Let dry. Distress the finish with sandpaper and remove dust.

6. Mix white paint as above. Brush the paint onto one small wood block.Rub the other over the paint and drag the latter over the red trug for an aged look (figure A). Repeat as desired and let dry.