It was time to tear down the old fence as we put up a new one. Instead of just throwing away the old fence, I decided we could reuse the pickets and create something different and exciting: a horizontal fence panel wall to hang plants from.
The best part? The wood didn't cost a thing. If you've got an old fence coming down, this is one of the easiest ways to give those boards a second life, and it only takes a couple of tools.
What I built
A wall of old fence pickets run horizontally across the 4x4 posts left over from the previous fence. The posts were already set in the ground, so they became the frame. No new lumber, no digging. Once it was up, it became the spot to hang plants.
Tools I used
Materials
Old fence pickets
The existing 4x4 fence posts
Exterior-rated screws
How to make it
1. Pull the old pickets carefully. Take your time removing them so the boards stay in one piece. Set aside any that are cracked or rotted through.
2. Leave them weathered. I didn't clean or sand the pickets. That gray, weathered look is the whole point, and it gives the wall a lot of character for zero effort.
3. Cut the pickets to length. Use the Kreg Portable Cross Cut to square up the ends and cut each picket so it spans the posts, with the ends landing on a post so you have something solid to screw into.
4. Screw them to the posts. Start at the bottom and work your way up, running each picket horizontally and screwing it into the 4x4s. Keep checking that your rows stay level as you go.
5. Hang your plants. With the wall up, add hooks and hang planters wherever you like. The posts behind the pickets give you a solid place to anchor anything heavier.
Tips
Mix boards with different shades of gray for a more natural look.
Pre-drill near the ends of old, dry pickets so they don't split.
If a post is a little loose, fix it before you start. Everything hangs off those posts.
Watch the full build below.
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