DIY Round Gabion Planter

Below you will find a step by step guide on how to make your DIY round gabion planter. 

• Experience Required: Medium
• Tools Required: Protective gloves, Wire cutter, Tape measure
• Materials Required: 3mm Gabion panels, Helicals, Corner ties or Tying wire, Geotextile, Compost, Stone, Plant

Step 1) Plan Design

• Plan your design considering plant size and available space.
• Use 2 smaller panels inside and 2 larger panels outside, leaving about 20 cm between them.
• Note that panels will need to be overlap when joined, losing about 22.5cm of each sheet’s length.

 

Step 2) Connect Inner Panels

• Start with the two smaller panels, which will create the inner compartment.
• Overlap these panels and secure them together on one end using helicals.

 

Step 3) Bend Panels

• Manually bend the panels until they form a rounded shape. 
• You can also roll the sheets along a car tire or a similar round object.

 

Step 4) Connect Loose Side

• Overlap the ends on the loose side as well and secure them with helicals.

 

Step 5) Cut off Excess

• If necessary, use a wire cutter to trim any excess helical.

 

Step 6) Connect & Bend Outer Panels

• Connect and bend the larger outer panels by repeating steps 2-5.

 

Step 7) Place in Final Location

• Position your round compartments in the preferred location.
• Then, place the smaller structure into the larger one.
• Leave around 20cm of space between the two panels all the way around when arranging them.

 

Step 8) Join Panels

• Connect the inside and outside panels using corner ties or tying wire, both at the top and bottom.
• These ties should be spaced around 30 to 45 centimeters apart.
• Consider that larger planters need more ties for stability, while smaller ones need fewer.

 

Step 9) Add Geotextile

• Line the inside of the inner basket with geotextile before filling it with compost.
• This prevents the compost from seeping into the outside compartment with the decorative stones.

 

Step 10) Fill with Compost

• Fill the inner gabion with compost.

 

Step 11) Fill with Stones

• Fill the outer gabion with the calculated amount of stone.

 

Step 12) Add Your Plants

• Add your plant(s) into the compost in the inner basket to complete your DIY round gabion planter.

 

TIPS

• Choose 3mm panels because they are easier to bend when considering how to make a DIY round gabion planter.
• Place your planter in its final location before filling it, as you won’t be able to move it afterward.
• You can get creative with the design by experimenting with different styles, sizes, or types of stones. Feel free to be imaginative: your gabion can become a stunning piece of outdoor decor.

 

FURTHER READING

• DIY Gabion Planter – Step by step instructions on how to make your own rectangular gabion planter.
• Customer Project of June 2023 – Round Gabion Planter Kit – Learn how to make a round gabion planter using a different method.
• How to Make a Gabion Planter – A guide showing you how to create a planter using a basket.