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How to Make an Upcycled Lettuce Table
See how we turned an old desk into a waist-high planter box perfect for growing greens, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables.
A lettuce table is great if you don’t have a lot of outdoor space to garden. It can fit on a small patio or lanai and can be moved in and out of the sun as needed. Buying an elevated planter box like this can cost a lot of money, but upcycling an old desk or table will cost less and add a ton of character to your lettuce garden.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Tools and Materials
- upcycled desk or table
- plastic tub
- drill and 1/4" drill bit
- jigsaw with wood-cutting blade
- 1x2 x 8' pressure-treated wood
- box of 8x1 1/2" exterior wood screws
- spray paint (we used Rust-Oleum “Rustic Pink” )
- sandpaper
Step 1: Cut Out Opening
We cut a hole in the top of our desk to insert a plastic tub in which we’ll grow our lettuce. Give your upcycled desk a good cleaning. If it has a drawer, remove it. Place the plastic tub on top of the desk and trace an outline of it with a marker. Drill pilot holes at the corner of the outline. Place a jigsaw blade in that pilot hole to begin cutting out the entire outline. After the opening is cut, sand any rough edges.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Step 2: Reinforce the Desk
The weight of soil and plants might get too heavy for an old desk to hold. To make it more stable, cut 1x2 wood to fit around the hole on the underside of the desk. Secure the wood with screws.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Step 3: Remove Drawer and Resecure Face
Remove the face of the drawer from the drawer box by cutting it with a jigsaw, or you may be able to give it a few taps with a rubber mallet. Attach 1x2 blocks onto the sides of the drawer opening. Then permanently attach the drawer face to those blocks with finishing nails.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Step 4: Paint the Desk
Be sure to use exterior paint when choosing the perfect color for your lettuce table. We used a soft blush pink. Add a coat of clear polyurethane for added protection.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Step 5: Prep the Tub
Drill holes into the bottom of the tub for drainage, then place the tub into the desk opening.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Step 6: Add Drawer Pulls
If your desk needs new hardware, add decorative cabinet pulls to the drawer front.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Step 7: Plant Lettuce
Fill the tub with lightweight soil. Potting soil mixed with vermiculite works well. Lettuces grow best in cool weather, so plant in early spring or early fall. In the summer, use your lettuce table for herbs such as sage, basil or mint. Place other accessories on the desk, like kitchen scissors and cutting boards. Add shade plants under the desk to catch drainage and complete the look.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
SHAIN RIEVLEY
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