This project is for you if your yard has a pile of logs that you need for firewood or other purposes. Succulents or other small plants thrive in this shallow wood log planter, which also makes a striking outdoor display. It is constructed out of a genuine wooden log and was carved out using a drill press, hole saw, and chisel. The best part is that this project can be completed in an afternoon or less for less than $40, making it one of our favorite wood log crafts.
How to hollow out a log
Choose a log that you like to start with. We picked a log with some character, some moss, and some discolouration. The fact that it is dry and not moist in the middle is crucial in this situation. Then, there are numerous techniques from which to choose in order to hollow out the wood log. There are two methods you can pick from: using a chainsaw to cut out the center or drilling holes with a Forstner bit and then using a chisel to remove the edges. However, because we used a hardwood, we decided to use a 3-in. diameter hole saw in a drill press to carve out the center of our log planter.
Stabilize the Wood Log
Locate the log’s most stable position, then fasten the base side to a board. The length and width of this wood board should be slightly larger than the log. The board should then be fastened to the log using long screws. In order for your hole saw cuts to be consistently parallel across the wood log, it is crucial to position the log further back on the wood board so that it may ride against the drill press fence. However, provide enough space so the log won’t be pressing up against the fence, peeling the bark off in the process. When cutting through the log with a hole saw and drill press, the board on the log will help support the log.
Cut Into the Wood Log
It’s a good idea to approximately mark the area where the opening will be before you start cutting into the log. We calculated that the opening should contain two inches of bark on either side. Clamp the log firmly to the drill press table so that you can begin carving the wood. We sliced into the timber with a 3-in. diameter hole saw in a drill press. To get the length of the aperture you want for the log planter, make a series of overlapping cuts with the hole saw as deep as it will go. We’ll need to make a second pass after roughly chiseling out this top layer of hole saw cuts because the maximum depth for our hole saw was 1-1/2 in. and the necessary depth for the planter aperture is 3 in.
Carve Out Planter Opening
When the hole saw has finished its work, use a chisel and a mallet or hammer to remove the cuts. The most time-consuming step is rounding the corners, but since the log planter will be stuffed with soil and succulents nonetheless, it doesn’t have to be flawless. Avoiding chipping off the bark is the hardest issue here.
Add Charcoal to the Base of the Planter
The base of the wood log planter should be equally covered with a layer of activated charcoal. Most garden centers sell activated charcoal, which aids with air filtering. This drainage layer assists in preventing root and log rot caused by too much water remaining in the soil.
Plant Your Succulents
Remove the succulents from their plastic containers and move them to their new home in the wood log planter. To give the planter visual interest and dimension, we selected succulents in a range of textures, heights, colors, and widths. When purchasing succulents from your neighborhood garden center, decide and prepare the appearance you want to achieve.
Add Soil
Add extra dirt around the plants so they won’t move once all of your succulents have been placed in their ideal spots. After carefully patting the earth around the plant with your hands, water the succulents. Because it offers succulent plants excellent soil structure and drainage, we utilized cactus mix potting soil.
Additionally, it’s crucial to keep in mind that succulents don’t thrive in soggy soil, so avoid overwatering your plant. Never water the succulent when the soil is damp or moist; just water it when the earth is dry. And if you’re concerned about overwatering your plant, fill the base of your planter with stones or gravel to allow for drainage (like mentioned in step 5).
Finishing Up Your Log Planter
This succulent log planter can be given as a present, but construct one for yourself as well. They look fantastic as the focal point of a patio table or as window sill decor. Check out these 14 succulent decorating ideas for your home right away!
Can plants be grown within a log?
Storms, aging, and a variety of other factors can result in trees or huge tree branches falling in the natural world. These logs will soon be inhabited by insects, mosses, fungi, vascular plants, and perhaps even tiny mammals after they have fallen to the forest floor. One fallen tree limb can easily develop into a lovely miniature environment.
Many garden designs benefit greatly from the fantastic rustic flair added by flowering logs. They go well with rustic garden designs, offer a touch of wood and soil to Zen gardens, and can even fit in with formal gardens.
Logs can be split into sections and mounted to make window boxes, the traditional cylindrical pot-like receptacles, or horizontal planters. Logs are typically readily available and reasonably priced. This may present a chance to obtain some logs if you or someone you know just had a tree removed or pruned.
Succulents may they be planted in a wooden box?
Create a lovely succulent arrangement in a wooden box to use as home décor by using the thriller, spiller, filler principle. Simple, simple, and enjoyable!
Fill a small portion of the bottom of a wooden box with succulent soil, and then cover it with Spanish moss to make your own wooden box arrangement. The moss adds a little bit of interest to the wooden boxes and helps the cuttings stay steady and in place.
How are succulent logs cared for?
With a sanding block, get rid of any loose bark or splinters in the wood to make the succulent log simple to keep clean. Wipe with a moist cloth once the log has been made smooth.
Do succulents grow in logs?
Simply walk outside and explore your own backyard or the nearby woods if you ever need ideas or materials for your next creative project. The best materials for making beautiful and unique objects are available to us in nature, and they come in a variety of shapes. Even something as basic as a log can be put to use in a variety of fascinating ways. One of the things you can do with it is make a log planter, but even then there are many other creative designs to take into account. See a few of our favorites in the list below.
Because succulent plants don’t require much room for their roots, you can plant them in a variety of containers and even within a tiny log to make a lovely centerpiece. Simply slice a little opening on one side of the log will do. Create a crevice with a chisel and a hammer, fill it with cactus soil, and then place your miniature succulents within. Depending on how you want the centerpiece to appear, you can space them out or group them together. You may learn more about this straightforward project on hearthandvine.
There are a few things to think about when creating a log planter, including how far apart the plants should be from one another, the size of the potting holes, and the kind of plants you should use. The best succulents are small and can take many different forms. If you want the log to look more lush with vegetation, you can also purchase trailing succulents. You can make the holes for the plants using a power drill and spade bits, fill them with soil, and then place some moss on top to seal them and prevent a mess on the table if you intend to use the log as a centerpiece. More advice and suggestions can be found at satoridesignforliving.
Another simple way to create a planter is from a large log. You might arrange the log vertically and create a hole in the middle as opposed to laying it down horizontally and creating small nooks on either side for the plants. This technique will be made considerably simpler if you can locate a stump whose center has already begun to decay. Clean the log and enlarge the hole if necessary, then add the plants and fill the space with dirt. Another suggestion is to paint the log’s exterior or a portion of it. The DIY Mommy website has other sources of inspiration.
There are other options besides a great log with bark on it that can make a lovely planter. Any scrap wood will do as long as it is big enough for the projects you have in mind. Sand the wood, clean it, and if necessary, perhaps flatten the bottom. The top piece can then be hollowed out with a tiny turbo to create a sort of planter that you can then fill with soil and other succulent plants. If you’re interested, there is a tutorial on YouTube that describes the entire procedure.
You’re going to need bigger tools and a bigger log if you want to take things a step further and create a very large log planter that you can maintain in your backyard. You can saw the log piece by piece while working in portions. To do this project, you’ll need a curved blade saw, a hammer drill, a set of wood chisels, a set of flat boring tools, a standard hammer, and plenty of time. Once finished, it will look pretty interesting, and you can fill it with a variety of brightly colored flowers and plants to transform your backyard or garden. On TampaHomeBody, there is a thorough lesson that covers everything.
Additionally, you can purchase a ready-made log planter and forego the carving altogether. Although they’re not that widespread, there are some pretty lovely designs to pick from. Although it is a fake log and not actually made of wood, this one is rather attractive. Once all the succulents are added, the scene does appear quite lifelike. It has a drainage hole at the bottom and a concrete planter inside. Visit etsy to purchase it.
Made from log pieces and rope, this hanging planter is adorable. In order to protect the wood from injury, the actual plants are kept inside plastic cups that fit at the heart of the log. If you had the materials, creating something similar from scratch would be quite simple. In either case, keep the bark on since it gives the hanging planter more texture and gives it a more genuine, endearing appearance. To learn more, see this lovely product’s etsy listing.