Here’s an easy weekend project to get a multi-purpose plant stand set up for next to no expense. We’ll be using a discarded pallet and some common hand tools to come up with a useful, rustic wooden plant stand.
Here’s how to do it.

You’ll need the following:

1. A wooden pallet
2. Three 2 foot long 2×4 pieces
3. Four right angle joist hangars
4. wood glue

First, cut the pallet down to the size you want. Then screw the 2×4 pieces onto the corners, using the joist hangars for extra support. You may want to use wood glue as well – the sturdier you make it now, the less fiddling you will have to do with it later. Now, this looks like a really simple plant stand, and it is. But it has soem fairly unique features:

• The slots between the boards in the pallet allow the planters and pots that you put onto this wood outdoor plant stand to allow your plants to drain to the ground underneath.
• The space underneath is perfect for starting seedlings – they will be protected from direct sunlight, and can be watered with the runoff from the plants on top.
• This is the only plant stand you will have that you can make whatever size you want!
• As another bonus – you can set this up to be used as a propagation table! Simple cover the pallet surface with 3 mil plastic, and put some space heaters underneath. The openings between the slats come to the rescue again, letting the warmth come through to help germinate your seeds.

Remember that you have boards on top and on the bottom of your pallet. You can trace around the bottom of your pots and cut out the slats on top to make a custom stand that will look like it costs a million bucks. When you are all finished, paint the stand with outdoor paint, let it dry, and enjoy your homemade plant stand.

Heavy duty, sturdy iron plant stands may be your best bet when it comes to achieving the objectives of your plant stand purchase. Why do I say this? Let’s take a look:

• Why do we like iron outdoor plant stands? First of all they get the plants up off the patio and out of the way so that we don’t have to worry about cousin Ned, who may have had one too many, kicking over our prize begonias.

• Secondly, they bring the planters and pots up closer to eye level. This makes a huge difference if the pots themselves are part of your decorating scheme. There’s no point in spending a lot of money on a beautiful ceramic planter, only to have it sitting on the brick off to the side.

• Third — your wrought iron plant stand can be part of your decorating scheme. It really doesn’t matter whether you’re going for an ancient Greco-Roman garden look, something of mid century modern, or all-out country, complete with a redwood deck and polyester curtains. You’re going to be able to find an iron plant stand that will meet your decorating needs.

• Fourth — iron plant stands are sturdy. Even wrought iron pieces made of smaller gauge metal, which may look flimsy are still quite solid. And heavier pieces can be absolutely massive, lending weight and stability, both physically and to your decorating scheme.

• Fifth — you can get wrought iron plant stands in just about any size or shape. Whether you just need a small tear plant stand to hold a few of your favorite herbs, or a large T-shaped structure to hang a vegetable garden from, you can either find it as a standard product or have it custom made. In any design you need or desire.

• Sixth — these things will last freaking forever! Iron is resistant to all kinds of weather, and is usually treated during the construction of decorative objects so that it will not rust much if at all. To top it off. It’s also easy to clean — just give it a shot with a garden house.

• Seven — finally, we have the cost. It is a rare product that can fulfill all the needs of someone shopping in net products category for such a low price. Here we have a decorative and utilitarian items that can become part of our decorating scheme, actress protection for art objects, and even helpless to keep for herbs and perishables out of the reach of hungry herbivores. There are many products that can do all that!

The idea of the hanging Garden is one that’s been with us for centuries. Probably the most famous use of hanging outdoor plant stands would be in Babylonia. We’ve all heard of the incredible hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Nowadays, we can also enjoy a hanging garden, albeit on a much smaller scale. I personally have a few friends that do their vegetable gardening using hanging plant stands. Typically, what they’ve got is a large T-shaped structure, like one end of an old clothesline. If there are dear in the area, this can be very tall indeed – up to 15 feet. Usually what they’ll do is put the tomatoes and herbs, or other rabbit and deer tempting plants in a series of buckets. They run a line from the bucket handle up to a small pulley. The pulleys are fixed onto the bottom of the horizontal part of the T., about 16 inches apart.

A rope of course goes from the bucket handle up through the pulley and that is tied off on the vertical T. Not only do the cords coming in from the outside edges of the T. offer an additional opportunity for decoration, as you can use different colors or types of cords for different plants, but they offer a way to raise and lower the potted plants or vegetables.

Time to water with tomatoes — no problem. All you have to do is unhook the far end of the rope and lower the bucket. When you’re done pull it back up, tie it off, and the deer don’t have a chance.

In addition to this redneck version of the hanging gardens, there are a lot of other way more fashionable ways to do this now. Today hanging gardens are primarily created by using moss lined wire baskets. You can make your own moss wire baskets by soaking Pete Moss of warm water, squeezing out most of the moisture and impressing the boss against the inside framework of the basket was the mosses dry. It makes a perfect part for holding soil and plants.

You can also go to garden centers and get play or plastic pots with either a support saucer that the pot sits on and it has pre-drilled holes for attaching hangers, or with a layup that has pre-drilled holes so that you can attach your hanging rope or wire directly to top edge of the pot. The damage to using the saucer type of hanging pot of course, is that you can switch the pops out when it whatever you like and leave the saucers in place.

You can also get metal clips that can be used to hang smaller clay pots on a wall or fence, or from another structure that will enable them to be suspended from the ceiling poker pulley, much like our tomato hanger described above. This enables you to make most any structures with a little height into outdoor plant hangers.

Nowadays, you have endless opportunities to make your own hanging vegetable garden or flower garden. With a little ingenuity and some help from your local garden center. It shouldn’t take more than a single Saturday to add this beautiful and useful structure to your garden or patio.

One of the best ways to add dimension to a patio, balcony or deck is with the use of outdoor plant stands.  There are so many types, made of such a variety of materials that it is impossible not to find one or more that would enhance your garden or outdoor area.

When you think of a plant stand there are two types that normally come to mind.  One is the wrought iron or metal one with scroll design with leaves, flowers or vines that has two to three shelves for placing potted plants.  The other is the simple pedestal or base for larger plants.

But truthfully the options are amazing and with a little leg work or online browsing, you can find everything from a basic outdoor plants stand to something so unique it could be the focal point of a beautiful garden.  One type of plant stand that I find economical and consumer friendly is a modular stand made from polypropylene.  These stands are made from a fade and rust resistant material that is super easy maintenance.  With several modules that can be arranged in different patterns and levels, this stand offers appearance updates without additional cost.

There are soft fabric wicks that act as water reservoirs so the planters are self watering.  The base is set on casters for easy portability and assembly is quick with no tools needed.  This type of outdoor plant stand can be found for around $40.  Many plant stands can be a great novelty item or focal point in a garden.  They come in the shape of bicycles, tricycles, wheelbarrows, ladders, wagons and various animals.  Some are simple wood and metal design while others are made from ornate marble.

A popular type of plant stand is one that looks like a series of small tables in ascending heights – the tiered plant stand.  These are usually metal with some type of design throughout the legs and base with table tops of stone, marble or glass.

I think when looking at outdoor plant stands you should consider several things before making the purchase.  First, how big is the area for the stand and what type and size of plants are going to be placed on the stand.  Do you have a small patio or balcony and just want to add some color to your outside space?  Is there the need for a large stand to hold a collection of plants and flowers?  Analyze your need and desire, determine the price range and enjoy finding the perfect outdoor plant stand for you.

They will keep your plants up off the patio or deck surface, protected from the occasional hungry cat or rabbit. And if you entertain, remember that an outdoor plant stand is easier to see, and your plants will be less likely to be bumped at your next party. Another bonus – if you are using a plant stand, it effectively creates more space – you can use a raised plant stand, and set another pot underneath. There are a plenty of different designs and types of plant stands available… Let’s take a quick tour…

Wrought Iron Outdoor Plant Stands

There are a number of benefits to using wrought iron to make outdoor plant stands and planters. First of all, wrought iron is a great material to use for outdoors. It is corrosion resistant (though not impervious). It is also very strong, and has enough heft so that you can feel comfortable that you won’t knock over your plant stand and maybe break an expensive pot. The other great benefit: you can make wrought iron into most any shape you please. Whether you need to match a classic Spanish decor, or are looking for something modern and sturdy looking, iron is the way to go. Don’t forget to take a look at some of the new geometric shapes available in wrought iron design.

Wooden Plant Stands

These are a great way to incorporate a plant stand with the actual pot. It is easy to see how you can put these to incredible use. You can have a single plant stand that can act as as flower pot, a border for your patio – you can even incorporate seating with a little ingenuity. Most of these have rectangular flower boxes supported by four legs, but if you look around and do a little research, you can find most anything you need.

Tiered Plant Stands

Tiers give you a way to pack a lot of pots in a small space. They are especially effective when the plant stand is placed against a wall or other vertical feature.

Hanging Plant Stands

These are especially popular with gardeners. One great use is to grow tomatoes from these – no issues with deer (as long as you keep them high enough). They also offer a fun and fast way to change out your plants for a new look or special occasion.

Plant Stands with Storage

Yet another great way to incorporate utility with beauty in your outdoor plant stands is to include storage. Primarily founr in wooden and iron plant stands – but now increasingly appearing in planters by Rubbermaid and other manufacturers.

Considerations When Selecting an Outdoor Plant Stand

1) What is the nature of your outdoor decor? If you have a rustic redwood deck, maybe faux roman pillars in painted iron might not be the best choice. While it is not neccessary to match, you should try to complement your existing decorating scheme.
2) What kinds of plants do you have – or want? If you are an avid tea rose breeder, your needs will be different from those of a mum aficionado. Also remember to think ahead and plan for the future size and shape of your plants.
3) How heavy will your plants be? A large jade with planting dirt can weigh several hundred pounds. You may want to choose a plant stand with wheels and a sturdy frame.
4) Do you only want a plant stand – or will you be looking for more from your choice? As discussed above, there is a lot of functionality built into some of todays models.

Finally – of course you want to check price and quality. Thankfully, we all have the internet now where we can compare both.