The Planter That Fought Back
Some projects go together like a dream. This one... not so much.
From the get-go, this planter fought me. But after a fair share of head-scratching and a few changes in direction, I think I’ve finally got a handle on it.
This time around, I set out to design and build another outdoor planter. I decided to use Jatoba, also known as Brazilian cherry, simply because I’ve had some boards sitting in the shop for years. In hindsight, that was probably my first mistake. While Jatoba is great for exterior use, it’s notoriously tough on tools, and on patience. Still, I wasn’t in the mood to spend money on new materials, so I pressed on.
For a change of pace, I thought I’d turn the legs. That quickly turned into another challenge, slow, tricky, and just not worth the trouble. To top it off, my wife came out to the barn, took one look, and let me know (very honestly!) she didn’t like the design.
So back to basics it was. Simple, clean, and functional. Sometimes, less really is more.
Decorative Leg Detail – Made with the Table Saw
I decided to add a small decorative detail to the bottom of each leg—nothing too flashy, but enough to give it a finished look. Most of the work was done with the table saw, with a few final touches at the miter saw.
Here’s how I did it:
Table Saw Work:
- First Pass – 45° Chamfer Cut:
- I set the blade to a 45° angle and lowered it to about 1/4".
- Using the miter gauge and the fence set at 2", I made a single pass on all four faces of each leg.
- Second Pass – Lower Chamfer Cut:
- I moved the fence to the other side of the blade and made another cut, this time 2-3/4" from the bottom of the leg.
- Again, one pass on each side of all four legs.
- Vertical Chamfers:
- I raised the blade slightly to cut a chamfer vertically along the corners between the two horizontal cuts.
- Clearing the Waste:
- Finally, I returned the blade to 90° and removed the material between the two angled cuts to define the step.
Miter Saw Touch-Up:
- Final Bevels:
The result? A cleaner, simpler design that feels much more balanced—and yes, wife-approved.
Sometimes a project needs to humble you a bit before it comes together. This one reminded me to not overthink the design and to let the material (even stubborn Jatoba) do the talking.
Stay tuned for the finished build—and maybe some tips on how not to make a planter the hard way.
Happy building,
Jon
From the Woodshop to the Garden
When I’m not in the woodshop, I’m usually out in the garden with my wife, Laurel, where I follow her lead. The other day, I asked her, “Why lavender?” and she said, “I love lavender for its fragrance, and because it’s tough.”
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant, originally from regions like the southern coast of France. It thrives in dry soil, hot sun, and doesn’t ask for much water. It’s resilient, something I really admire in a plant. And it comes back year after year, often stronger than before, if you treat it right.
We’ve had a lot of success growing lavender here in New Jersey. Some of our favorite varieties include Phenomenal,Sensational, and Provence. The one pictured here isPhenomenal, a reliable, hardy variety that handles our seasons well.
A few tips if you’re thinking of growing lavender:
- Prune it regularly: After it blooms (or even while it’s blooming), trim the flower stalks. This encourages a fuller, healthier plant and keeps it from getting too woody.
- Give it space and sun: Lavender likes good airflow and lots of sunlight.
- Don't overwater: It’s drought-tolerant by nature.
If you care for it properly, a lavender plant can live 15–20 years or more. And it gives so much in return, beautiful, wispy purple blooms that dance in the wind, a calming fragrance that lingers on your hands when you brush by, and a favorite landing spot for bees.
You can also use lavender in all kinds of ways, making soap, infusing oils, or just drying a few sprigs for the house. It’s one of those plants that gives back in more ways than one.
So yeah… when I’m not making sawdust, I’m in the garden doing what Laurel tells me to do.