How to Make a Raised Planter Box From an Old Desk

See how we upcycled an old desk into a waist-high, garden box perfect for growing lettuces, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables.

A lettuce table like this 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 garden.

An upcycled table becomes a garden for growing greens.

Lettuce Table

An upcycled table becomes a garden for growing greens.

Photo by: SHAIN RIEVLEY

SHAIN RIEVLEY

DIY Lettuce Table
Loading Video...

Tools and Materials

  • upcycled desk or table
  • plastic tub
  • drill and 1/4" drill bit
  • jigsaw with wood-cutting blade

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.

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.

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.

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.

An upcycled table becomes a garden for growing greens.

Lettuce Table

An upcycled table becomes a garden for growing greens.

Photo by: SHAIN RIEVLEY

SHAIN RIEVLEY

5. Prep the Tub

Drill holes into the bottom of the tub for drainage, then place the tub into the desk opening.

6. Add Drawer Pulls

If your desk needs new hardware, add decorative cabinet pulls to the drawer front.

An upcycled table becomes a garden for growing greens.

Lettuce Table

An upcycled table becomes a garden for growing greens.

Photo by: SHAIN RIEVLEY

SHAIN RIEVLEY

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.

Next Up

How to Turn a Galvanized Tub Into a Raised Garden Bed

Turn a simple galvanized metal trough into a beautiful planter for a raised garden bed in just 12 easy steps.

Companion Planting With Cilantro

Cilantro serves as a powerful companion plant in the vegetable garden, attracting beneficial insects that prey on insect pests of a variety of crops, including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, potatoes, beans and more.

How to Plant, Grow and Harvest Lemon Balm

Fragrant, fast-growing lemon balm can be a good addition to garden beds or containers. Learn how to grow this pollinator-friendly perennial.

How to Grow and Harvest Rosemary

If planted in the right spot, rosemary is very easy to grow. Find expert advice and simple ideas for growing and using rosemary plants.

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Dill

Dill is an easy-to-grow addition to an herb garden. Learn how to select, plant, grow, harvest and preserve this tasty herb.

How to Plant, Grow and Care for Chives

Learn how to plant, grow, harvest and use chives. This popular perennial herb is easy to grow and has many benefits in the kitchen as well as in the garden.

How to Plan a Vegetable Garden

HGTV can make vegetable garden planning less intimidating with tips on garden design and suggestions on how to choose vegetables to grow.

How to Hand Pollinate Zucchini When It Won’t Fruit

Are your zucchini plants producing flowers but no vegetables? They might need help pollinating. It takes just a few minutes to hand-pollinate squash plants and it is easy to do.

Best Companion Plants for Cucumbers

Discover companion planting techniques to boost your crop of cucumbers and avoid common pests like cucumber beetles and squash bugs.

Growing Pumpkins in Containers

Raise a crop of pumpkins on a deck or patio—with no garden bed in sight. Learn how to grow pumpkins in pots no matter where you live.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.