Make a tiered, rolling planter: plant three pots in one spot!

This easy DIY project lets you maximize a small space. Use 3 pots of decreasing size. These are 16-, 12- and 8-inch plastic. You need a threaded rod  shorter than the total height of the pots, 4 washers and 6 hex nuts that fit the rod, a piece of scrap wood drilled so the rod fits through, a rolling plant caddy, and a drill with a bit the diameter of the rod. Step-by-step instructions below the photos.

1. Remove the saucers from the pots and drill one hole in the bottom of each pot that is large enough to fit the rod. You can drill through the center, but we’ve taken the easy route and enlarged one of the drainage holes. Never push as you drill - it can crack the pot. Let the drill bit do the work.

2. Thread one nut onto the rod about 4 inches up from the bottom and put the bottom of the rod inside the largest pot, down through the drilled hole until it sticks out the bottom. The nut should be inside the pot.

3. Stand the pot on the rolling caddy, put the scrap wood on the rod where it sticks out below the caddy and secure with another hex nut. Make sure the rod doesn’t drag on the floor when you roll the caddy, then tighten the two nuts so the pot and the wood are securely attached to the caddy.

4. Thread another nut onto the rod until it is about 2 inches below the top of the large pot. Add a washer and place the second pot on the rod. Add another washer and then a nut. Tighten the two nuts to hold the pot in place on the rod and keep it from sinking into the lower pot when filled.

5. Repeat step 5 with the smallest pot.

6. Don’t worry if the rod leans at this point. If the rod sticks up above the smallest pot, remove the rod and use a saw for metal to cut it shorter.

7. Fill the pots with a good-quality potting mix. Always fill the bottom pot first and work up, straightening the rod as you go. Adjust the two smaller pots so they rest on the potting mix when full. This keeps everything straight. After planting and watering, you may need to add more mix.

8. Plant your pots! 

To place the planter in the yard instead, get a rod that is 6-12 inches taller than the total height of the pots. Skip the caddy and the scrap wood, and push the rod 6-12 inches into the soil to stabilize the stacked pots. Then slide the large pot onto the rod, add a hex nut threaded down to the bottom of the pot to prevent the rod from slipping down further, and continue with step 4.